We are keeping up with #selflove vibes of February, by bringing you part 2 of the 10 ways to practice self love as an entrepreneur.  In case you missed the first half of this list, you can find it here.  Now, that you are all caught up let’s jump back into this list.

 

6.  Surround yourself with supportive people

The saying your network is your net worth rings true not solely in business but also as part of your mental wellness.   An article in 2015  described an entrepreneur’s social network as a form of ‘social capital’, providing opportunities “to exchange certain tangible and intangible benefits”.  These benefits can include spaces to receive feedback, guidance, safe spaces to release tension, explore and challenge ideas, celebrate and reinforce wins, as well as referrals and leads.  Engaging in supportive professional connections reinforces the value you see in yourself through these reciprocal relationships. It’s one of the reasons being a member of Women on the Rise, Inc, is so important to me.   The connections I have made over the years have added amazing friends, colleagues and supporters which has directly contributed to the growth of my business and my wellness.

 

7.  Set realistic goals and celebrate accomplishments

Entrepreneurs by nature tend to be goal-driven, task-oriented, and value-focused.  Unfortunately, at times this can lead to self-critical, perfectionist tendencies that highlights the one thing not done despite a sea of accomplishments.  These all-or-nothing thoughts (known as polarized thinking) are often a basis for depressive and anxiety symptoms.  You can challenge this distortion by keeping track of your wins, (big and small) to remember how much of a badass you are when your thoughts amplify a mistake or setback (because everyone has those).  My favorite strategy to do this is a Win Wall.  It’s a space where you keep track of your wins visually to keep you encouraged and motivated.  For details on how to create one, check out this guide.  

 

8.  Practice mindfulness and meditation

An entrepreneur’s mind reminds me of a busy multi-lane highway.  There are several ‘lanes’ or areas of focus with thoughts or ‘cars’ moving so rapidly it can be difficult to focus on just one. Our thoughts and attention rapidly shifting can be overwhelming, as we focus on past and future needs.  Mindfulness allows you to focus on the one thing you can actually control, the present.  Mindfulness, especially meditation has been shown to lower blood pressure, resting heart rate and improves sleep quality, according to Mayo Clinic.  Incorporating mindfulness is a small but powerful activity to boost your overall wellbeing.  However, if you are new to this practice I find guided meditations are a great way to get started.  You can check out the one we released last month here.

 

9.   Prioritize physical activity and healthy eating

When you are balancing deadlines, events, and meetings along with your personal life, sometimes basic human functions seem to be forgotten in the shuffle.  Skipping lunch or the workout might free up time for productivity but it hurts you more in the long run.  Without the proper nutrition and releasing of tension provided from exercising, you increase the risk of slower mental processing and irritability.  I mean, Snickers made an entire campaign around being ‘hangry’ because we all can resonate with the experience!   Taking time to meal prep or keep healthy snacks available can help keep the ‘hangry’ moments to a minimum so you’re fueled properly throughout the day. Caring for your basic functions is the very foundation of self love. Besides, you (and others) will like yourself a whole lot more when you’re not acting like a dragon. 

 

10.  Seek help and professional support

Now last and definitely not least, seek professional support.  Often as high-achieving women we live and breathe this  “I can do it myself” attitude and honestly it can hurt our business and our mental health.  Recognizing you need additional support isn’t a sign of weakness but an act of self love by honoring the resources needed to be your best self.  This can be through a therapist, business coach, yoga teacher or physical trainer.  For resources on finding a therapist check out our Resource page or download our Starting Therapy workbook for a step-by-step guide on how to seek and select a therapist that is right for you.  

 

That’s all folks!

Thanks for reading through the 10 ways to practice self love as an entrepreneur.  Give yourself praise for the things you are already doing and identify 1-3 small steps to improve in the other areas.  Remember no one is going to do all of these perfectly or well all the time.  Hell, I literally had to check myself the other day!  Just acknowledge where and how the breakdown happened then move forward.  The goal is to improve your process and systems for loving and protecting the most important commodity in your life: YOU.