Are you fit to run your own business?

Talking to people who run their own business is inspiring.  They’re invariably passionate, driven and knowledgeable about what they do.  For people like them, the benefits are as much personal as financial.  They manage their own time, their own development and they’re unconstrained by the inertia of a large employer.

They’re free from the stress and bureaucracy that comes with working for a large corporate company.  But any business owner will tell you that they have really swapped one set of challenges for another.

The physical challenge

You’ll likely to be working outside of the standard nine-to-five as you work when your customers need you to work.  You may well work longer hours too.  But there’s an ever-visible link between your efforts and the bottom line to spur you on!

The mental challenge

You’re no longer just a specialist in your field: you need different hats for each day of the week.  You need to be structured to plan, track and manage your business.  You need to be a sales person and a networker to promote your business.  And you need to be creative to beat the competition.

The emotional challenge

You’ll thrive on the highs but if things go wrong it’s all on your shoulders. The support network of a large company is gone and it’s up to you to stay motivated and determined to pull the company back up.

As a personal trainer, people come to me and talk about their fitness goals.  A few sessions down the line, they’re reaping the physical benefits, but they’re also talking about the psychological and emotional benefits, many of which are having a direct effect on their work life.

So, are you fit enough to run your own business?  Following a good exercise regime will directly benefit you in dealing with the challenges in your business.

That old wives’ tale of exercise being good for the mind is true.  Getting away from the office to exercise will, at the very least, give you the chance to clear your mind and take a break.  At best it could provide you with a “eureka” moment that inspires you to push your business on the next level.

Regular exercise increases your energy levels and provides you with the endurance you need to give your best throughout your working day.

Don’t know where to start? Get out and try new things.  Tackling new physical challenge can give you the confidence to push yourself beyond your comfort zone in other areas of your life, including your business.

If you’re running your own business, it’s likely that you are your company’s most valuable asset.  So treat your body as an asset: maintain it, develop it and look after it!  You and your business will feel better for it!