4 Ways to Be a More Mindful Business Owner
You own a business. What an accomplishment this is.
Working for yourself- being your own BOSS. It’s an incredible feeling.
When I started my copywriting business, I felt a rollercoaster of emotions—excitement, fear, power, confidence, worry– and everything in between. Pretty much any emotion you could think of, I felt. And I bet you’ve been there too.
There are a lot of tips out there to help you run a successful business. But your business is only as good as you are. And if you’re not feeling 100%, odds are your business will reflect that, too.
So– one of the best things you can do to show up for your business is to give time to yourself.
It’s such an incredible feeling to run a company you’re passionate about. But sometimes that passion overtakes our personal lives, leaving us feeling like our life suddenly is all work and no play. Recognizing if you’re an entrepreneur with this mindset is the first step. Next, is learning and practicing ways to help give back to yourself so you can be the best you can be.
And one of the BEST ways to better yourself for your business is through mindfulness practices.
If you’re familiar with mindfulness, amazing! If not– don’t be worried. There are several easy-to-implement ways to bring mindfulness into your everyday. And your results can be life-changing.
One study found that in just a two-month period, patients who participated in a weekly mindfulness program saw their anxiety decrease the same amount as patients taking anti-anxiety medications. When mindfulness is practiced effectively, it can change your outlook on life.
Let's talk about a few mindfulness strategies you can easily implement to become a better business owner.
1) Simplify Your Morning Routine
You can set yourself up for success by developing a simple morning routine. Setting your alarm a few minutes early to take a few mindful moments FOR YOURSELF can get you in the right head space. Sit in stillness, read a good book, make your favorite kind of tea or coffee— whatever it is that allows you time for yourself is essential. Embrace these few minutes of quiet alone time before the hustle and bustle of the day begins.
During your morning routine, craft to-do’s that work the best for you. Don’t overwhelm yourself with this step. Make sure to write attainable goals for your day that you know you can cross off. And don’t create a routine that stresses you out! Keep it simple, so you enjoy it. And wake up looking forward to it.
Committing even just 5 minutes at the start of your day to yourself will help you stay in the right head space as you get to work on your business.
2) Practice Mindful Meditation
Meditation doesn’t have to be done in a particular place, at a certain time, or for a certain amount of time. All it takes is closing your eyes, and breathing. You can easily do this anytime, anywhere.
Whether you’re at your desk, on a couch, or working from an airplane, a quick meditation can ground you and remind you of the importance of the present moment.
Let's try:
Sit up comfortably and feel your feet grounded on the floor
Close your eyes
Take a deep breath in through your nose– Hold for a moment– then exhale
If your mind wanders, recognize it, and then come back to your breath
Do this for 2 minutes, 5 minutes, or as long as you have to feel your mind and body at ease.
Mediation doesn’t have to be a long commitment. You don’t need a dark room, candles, or meditation sounds. You can be anywhere. Just take a few moments, and feel clarity.
3) Set Limits On Your Work
Mindfulness is all about being in the present. Don’t focus so much on worrying about mistakes you may have made in the past, or all you have to accomplish in the future. Be as present as your work allows, and take time for breaks. Your body and your mind need it.
Set a timer on your phone.
Buy an hourglass.
Try the Pomodoro Technique
Establishing time limits for your work will increase your productivity. It may feel hard to step away from working on something— but do it. You’ll come back to it with more clarity than before.
Our bodies and brains need rest periods to function at their best. So don’t try to see how much work you can crush in 4 hours. Realize how much more you can get done with small breaks sprinkled in.
In addition to this, set boundaries with work. People respect those who establish healthy boundaries between their work life and personal life. Set up an auto-reply email for the weekends, and stick to it! Or set a daily limit for yourself for how many hours you commit to your business. This helps you to work smarter, not harder. You’ll use your time more wisely, then feel more present outside of working hours.
4) Ask For Help
Investing IN YOURSELF and your business is essential for growth. And asking others for help is okay.
You need to take the burden of certain time-consuming tasks off your plate. And a small price to pay someone else to help you out will benefit you and your business in the long run. This allows you to focus on the parts of your business that you love and that bring you joy.
One thing that helped me was recognizing when to outsource.
Pay for time-saving business software or hire someone for additional work. It may feel like an extra expense, but things like this are in place to help you run a MORE successful business. And to do it way easier.
Outsourcing marketing to a copywriter, administrative tasks to a virtual assistant, or account management to a bookkeeper are investments that can take a weight off your shoulders. You’ll have more time for yourself– in your business and your everyday life.
Why Being A Mindful Business Owner Matters
As a business owner, you’re dealing with a lot. And I know the feeling! As a copywriter myself, I know how much work goes into establishing a business and keeping it going. But one of the best things I do for myself is practice mindfulness so I can be more present and aware of current situations.
So remember:
A simplified morning routine designed for you will make you excited to start each day.
Doing a mindful meditation will bring presence and clarity.
Creating healthy boundaries with time and with clients leaves you feeling balanced and totally in control of your life. That is one of the main reasons we became business owners, right?
Outsourcing tasks, paying for courses or software, and asking others for help are ways to take a weight off your shoulders so you can be more present and in tune with the passion behind your business.
Following these tips will bring clarity to your business and your everyday. And you’ll see the effects of mindfulness on how your business functions. When implementing these practices regularly, you can create a healthier relationship with your business.
As a copywriter and entrepreneur, I can help guide you to be the best business owner you can be. Implement these tips and see if they change your outlook. And if you need to offload work to someone else, set up a call with me so your business can continue to thrive, and so you can enjoy a healthy and mindful work-life balance.
My business is designed to help your business, and I can’t wait to do just that.