3 Ingredients to Fertilize Your Small Business Owner Yard

And I'd like to give my love to everybody, and let them know that the grass may look greener on the other side, but believe me, it's just as hard to cut.

Little Richard

Do you remember looking at Your Boss and thinking:

• "You're so lucky, I'm going to be you one day!"
• "It must be nice to make all of the decisions and not have to answer to anyone"
• "You can work the hours that you want while I'm stuck in an office...Nice!"

Well as a Business Owner of several businesses I do remember thinking some of those things when I worked as an Employee at other companies.  What I don't ever remember thinking about was all of the families that the boss must provide for or all of the endless paperwork that must be taken care of.  Yes, I had compassion and understanding, but nothing like actually walking in those shoes.  It is human nature for us to think about the grass being greener on the other side of the fence because we aren't paying attention to our own yard.  By using 3 key ingredients we can attain a fertilized yard that continues to be lush.  These ingredients are: focus, gratitude, and balance.

 Being a boss doesn't mean having someone to do everything for you all of the time.  In fact, in one day alone, I had numerous roles which consisted of being a Stress Management Life Coach, La Palmera Spa Owner, Rodan & Fields Skincare Consultant, Landscaper, Supply purchaser and deliverer, Mom to 2 teenage girls who needed and requested quite a bit of things, and a Wife to an extremely Supportive Husband who works away half of the month.

Without focus, the roles to which we play on a daily basis cause our minds to have Stress Overload!  When your mind never stops your body begins to take over and respond for you.  Aches, pains, doctors visits and the list goes on and on.  60-90% of doctors visits are due to stress and as per a conversation with Dr. David Foreman, ENT/Head & Neck Surgeon,  he sees numerous patients that come in thinking they have allergies, sinus infections, neck injuries, tmj, and what they really have is stress.   In a survey by The Alternative Board it is reported that Small Business Owners have the following symptoms of stress:

• Impatience (21%)
• Insomnia (19%)
• Forgetfulness (13%)
• Mood swings (8%)
• Restlessness (7%)
• Boredom (5%)
• Temper outbursts (4%)

We often hear about this Work/Life Balancing act, but what is that really?  When you own a business it seems as though work always consumes much your life.  In fact,  79% of entrepreneurs believe they are working too much. Source: The Alternative Board's Work-Life Balance survey

So how can you reduce your stress and find a balance?  It's all about Choices and "Relax and Let Go". I must admit that I was in a slump for a while, didn't have much energy and was sort of down in the dumps.  One day I chose to put on my tennis shoes and take a walk.  My walk started as a nice stroll and I am now doing this thing called "walk/run", receiving massages weekly, going to the Chiropractor, and I'm even on day 16 of a 30 day challenge. As I watch my body transform, so does my mind.  Half of my morning is dedicated to me and the self care that my mind and body had been longing for.  The exercising of your mind and body is dependent upon what you like and enjoy.

Now I know what you're thinking...how will the work get done if I'm out of the office?  Well here are a few tips on making sure that your worries are minimized.

•     Walk a day in the life of each employee's position (if possible) and then create a checklist for       them
•     Maximize each Employee's Strengths and Delegate
•     Stop Multi-tasking and Focus on the Task at Hand
•     Have a Victory and Gratitude Journal
•     Write a "To-Do List" and Prioritize
•     Take Charge by Cleaning up your car, home, office, etc.
•     Don't panic when there is a lull (use this time to create programs, reach out to past clients/joint partners, etc)
•     Plan vacation and downtime
•     Hire professionals (investing in your business and yourself makes a statement to the world)
•     Relax and Let Go...

Nichole Stansbury is a Stress Management Life Coach who is also Certified in the Law of Attraction.  She has a Bachelor's of Psychology from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Master's in Human Services from Capella University, and is extremely gifted with insight.  She is the Owner of Nicholyn Coaching and La Palmera Spa.  It is her mission to help others become more positive, grateful, and attain the life that they could never even dream of.  Her renowned faith and rose-colored glasses is something that many cannot understand until the magic is witnessed and/or felt for themselves.

You can contact Nicky via email @ nicholyncoaching@gmail.com or check her out on the websites at www.lapalmeraspa.com or www.nicholyncoaching.org