You started your business from an intrinsic motivation. You're the type who pushes hard and doesn't mind working extra nights and weekends or giving up an hour at the gym for a business call. That drive doesn't hurt your bottom line: you manage to get your business into the green. Yet this is not wise. When you always keep going, you can lose your mental and physical health forgotten. How can you do healthy and fit business?

Do you recognize yourself in this? I can tell you that you are not the only one. From research revealed that 72% of entrepreneurs experience mental health problems. In addition, this study found that the self-employed are more prone to depression, among other things. 

Needless to say: This ultimately affects not only your personal life, but also your business. 
Hard work is not the solution to sustainable success. You are the basis for success. If you feel yourself energetic and fit, you will win more in business as well. Time to get fit and healthy. As a business strategist with experience as a consultant for healthcare companies and as a Spinning and Les Mills instructor I will give you 8 practical tips. So you can build your business in a healthy and sustainable way. I guarantee you: you'll get a lot further in the end.  

Tip 1: Get enough sleep for healthy and fit business

It should almost come as no surprise: sleep is a very important component within a fit and healthy lifestyle. Yet sometimes this is easier said than done. I hear from many entrepreneurs that they sleep worse since becoming entrepreneurs. For example, they think more about unfinished tasks or adjusting their business strategy. 

Google the question 'how much sleep do I need?" and discover that the advice is to sleep between 7 and 9 hours. Many of my clients don't reach that number. Fortunately, research shows that you can change your sleep rhythm on your own within a few weeks. To do so, it's important to adjust your regular routines. 

For example, it is advisable to put your phone on night mode after 10 p.m. (preferably even earlier). The lack of phone calls, social media and emails decreases the number of stimuli. This makes for less brooding thoughts before you go sleep. 

Read my blog on my website InvesteerJij.nl: Sleep deprivation: causes, consequences and tips

Tip 2: Dare to outsource tasks.

As an entrepreneur, it is sometimes difficult to let go of tasks. This may be because you brought in the client yourself or because you have a lot of experience with the work that needs to be done. In short: there are plenty of reasons why it is difficult. Still, it is important to let go of tasks and projects.

It is important to discover what you are less adept at - or what gives you less energy. That way, you can delegate these more easily. By delegating tasks, you keep more space yourself for tasks that you do enjoy and can probably do crisply. This creates a win-win situation.

And remember: in the end, nothing is really perfect and you can always adjust everything. Sometimes 75% is also good enough. 

Tip 3: Take care of your financial health as well

Unpaid invoices, underquotes or fewer new requests. Money worries often cause stress, both in your personal and professional life. Therefore, make sure you have a buffer behind you or are working on it. A well-known guideline is a budget, with which you can survive for 6 months. Don't be too hard on yourself and don't get demotivated by something not going fast enough: a percentage per month is also good. A pleasant and understandable accounting method is Profit First. With this cash flow management system, you will always make a profit, experience peace in your finances and make better choices.  

Then it is smart to start looking at your strategy and a different or better business model. That way you can live and do business on your terms and regain control of your life.

Tip 4: Surround yourself with positive energy and the right people

You are probably familiar with the phrase "a negative spiral. This statement exists for a reason. Negative energy causes you to attract and emit negative energy. This scares people or demotivates them.

Your mental health depends in part on positive impulses from outside. Therefore, it is important to surround yourself with the right people. These are people who are kind to you and are positive in life. When it comes to family, this can sometimes be difficult. After all, you didn't choose them. Parents or siblings may additionally inhibit you out of protection when it comes to business ideas. "Will you do that?" or "What if it goes wrong?" is inhibiting feedback that many an entrepreneur has received. Therefore, keep in mind that it is often a way to keep you from risk. After all, that's how our brains are set up. 

"You are the average of the 5 people you interact with the most," is a famous quote from motivational speaker Jim Rohn. Therefore, it is important that you look for people within your network who inspire you. This can be in the form of other entrepreneurs or a business strategist. And in that regard, let you come to the right place. ;-).

This is also why I truly believe in the power of coaching and a Mastermind, a group of like-minded entrepreneurs who uplift each other and through which you see new opportunities and growth possibilities that you just didn't see before. This is also why I have enriched my program onMarkably Profitable with a valuable Mastermind Artificial Intelligence. To strengthen each other, remain relevant now and in the future.

Tip 5: Get plenty of exercise

Try to do at least 3 times a week sports. As a Spinning and Les Mills instructor, I know from experience that it's important to choose something you really enjoy. Otherwise, you won't last. Prioritize your exercise appointment like all other appointments and put it in your calendar. That way it will become a routine and part of your life. Another well-known tip is to work out with someone or hire a personal trainer, if your budget allows. This way you have a stick in your back. 

Exercise often slips in when things get busier, and sometimes it is unavoidable. Then make sure you build it into your schedule unconsciously. Take the stairs instead of the elevator, bike or walk to your workplace or take a walk at lunch.  

Tip 6: Ensure healthy eating

After the tip on exercise, this one can't be left behind: make sure you eat well. Where financially feasible, invest in healthy-quality food. After all, it is the engine for your body and mind and therefore very important to stay sharp and perform.

Tip 7: Do what you are good at and what you enjoy doing

We talked earlier about energy as an important factor in both your personal and business life. Therefore, it is good to keep it up as much as possible. In business, do something that gives you energy. Research shows that this is often what you are good at and what you enjoy doing.  

In addition, it is important to do business with impact and satisfaction. Only then will you manage to grow significantly, both personally and professionally

Life as an entrepreneur is not only about achieving business success, but also about creating enough time and healthy mental and physical energy, for the things that make you truly happy. It's about adding value, making impact and being fulfilled.

Tip 8: Make sure you have enough free time

Ruud Meulenberg, trainer and health coach, says people who have enough time to exercise, do fun things with family and friends and can devote time to their hobbies are happier than those with successful but busy jobs. 

The ironic thing is, as entrepreneurs, we often list "freedom" as one of the most important reasons to do business, but we often lack it. Therefore, always plan free moments in your calendar. Think about the children's school vacations, during which you want to be available, your sports time or an afternoon at the spa. 

To create space in your schedule, you need to prioritize. Health and time are the most important elements in your life. To do so, you must sometimes "dare to say no. It is also important to work as productively as possible. To do this, turn off your website or mail regularly. That way, you can work fully focused on one task. 

Are you interested in investing in yourself and your health? How to be healthy and fit in business? In my blogs on Investeerjij.nl I delve deeper into the topics of investing in yourself: personal development, physical health, nutrition, sports and relaxation.