Southeast Michigan
For many of us, COVID-19 has been a reminder of the ways that health and business influence one another.
During and after completing his graduate education at University of Michigan, David Waymann spent some 35 years in healthcare, much of it working for the UM health system. Now as a business coach, David has a unique perspective on the intersection between health and business.
COVID-19 isn’t just a matter of financial markets and public health—it’s having a real impact on our daily lives. Michigan small business owners are feeling the pain too, but with business coaching, the right balance between health and wealth can be found! And the biggest risk comes when we sacrifice our health to make our wealth.
Two Parts of a Whole
Coverage of the government’s response to COVID-19 generally breaks down into two camps.
On the one hand, public health professionals stress the need to lengthen the shut-down to slow the spread of coronavirus as much as possible.
On the other hand, the business community has been shell-shocked from the huge downturn in the stock market and has pushed back against some of the strictest quarantine recommendations.
When we talk about public health and the economy in abstract terms like this, it’s easy to forget something: that business and life don’t take place in isolation.
After all, the economy runs on people, and no one knows this better than business owners. The average employee leaves their work at the office when they come home in the evening. As a Michigan small business owner, however, home life and the office often begin to blur together. Your personal well-being can and does affect your business!
David Waymann offers an approach to business coaching that recognizes this. We often think that wealth can buy health, but a work-life balance is often the best long-term preventative we can take!
The Benefits of Self-Care
As a business owner, you have a lot of obligations and responsibilities. But never forget: your first responsibility is to you and your well-being. If you are incapacitated or lack adequate reserves (energy, stamina, capacity) then those who depend on you are left to their own devices.
These are the first things you should do to practice better self-care:
- Get more sleep. Almost all of us are sleep deprived, and not getting enough sleep makes you more susceptible to a host of other problems.
- Eat better. Cut out processed food as much as possible, eat whole foods, drink more water, and avoid sugary drinks. Your mood, focus, and overall health will improve!
- Move more – be more physically active or get exercise. It doesn’t have to be much. Try to get exercise nearly every day when possible, like taking a walk, going for a jog, going for a swim, or doing yoga. Look for ways to incorporate this into your daily routines.
- Set aside time for important activities like reading, cooking, or whatever else centers and balances you.
These tips might be common sense, but so many of us forget to do them in our daily lives. Practicing better self-care is the first step in a positive feedback loop that will ripple into all other corners of your life!
Manage Your Time
Among many negative side effects, excess stress can weaken your immune system. The good news? A lot of stress is completely avoidable if you simply learn to manage your time better! These three ideas are a great starting point:
- Block out time for important tasks. Maybe you like to knock out your emails first thing in the morning, or maybe you need the morning hours to do your most important tasks. Find what works for you and stick to it!
- Make sure you’re not working for your business—make sure your business is working for YOU! Experiment with processes and systems that allow you to delegate more efficiently.
- Finally—take a vacation! Too many business owners perpetually postpone vacation. Getting away from it all isn’t just important for your mental health—you’ll also be much more productive when you return!
Business Coaching That Keeps Your Life Front and Center
Your Michigan small business is one of many things you’re balancing and prioritizing in your life. You need an approach to business coaching that recognizes how connected your health, personal life, and business are.
What that looks like is different for every individual and business, but David Waymann’s experience in healthcare means that you get practical and actionable advice.
If COVID-19 has you reconsidering your work-life balance, now is the time to take action! Because of the unprecedented nature of the COVID-19 pandemic, free coaching sessions are available, both virtually and over the phone. Contact me today and start taking action!