Starting your own business normally requires that the entrepreneur perform most of the functions of the business. This includes accounting, marketing, sales, inventory, purchasing, office, shipping, and any other task needing to be done. The business owner is motivated to succeed and will do "whatever it takes", even if it kills them. So, long hours over extended periods of time may result. This affects all areas of life including family, spouse, and friend relationships as well as the amount of time spent on relaxation activities like hobbies, quiet time, and vacations. At times it is only work, work, and more work. Over the long term this will be detrimental to the well being of the business and it's owner while necessary perhaps, over shorter periods of time.

Take sleep for example. Many processes necessary to health and well being take place during sleep. Sleep is essential to help maintain mood, consolidate learning and memory, and help mental and physical performance. Sleep plays a central role in the normal function of the endocrine system, which is instrumental in regulating metabolism, growth, development, tissue function, and also plays a part in determining mood. Sleep will also recharge your immune system. Lack of sleep can be a contributing factor to health problems such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension and depression.

Each time you lose an hour of sleep, that hour is added to your sleep debt. This "sleep debt" can only be reduced by getting extra sleep, but the effects of long term sleep deprivation may not be reversible. And long-term sleep deprivation leads to fatigue and lowered mental ability and then to problems handling stress, problem solving and decision making.

It is apparent that it is very important for the business owner to get enough sleep to avoid the serious consequences as listed above. It is not only sleep that is important though. Outside diversions, fun, rest and relaxation, and good relationships are integral parts of a balance that will lead to an individual's success. Time must be taken to "recharge our batteries" so to speak.

The creativeness required to run a business is only available to us when we are rested and in a good frame of mind. There are many forms of meditation that will help us achieve the ability so sit quietly and wait for an answer to a question. Or it may be a meditation that actively contemplates problems and solutions. But we still need to take the time to do that rather than always logic. When we use what we already know to guide us, results are likely to be mediocre. What we really want is to be inspired and that requires that we get out into new situations and experiences.

This inspiration usually come when we least expect it. For example, we may be wondering why we cannot retain customers or attract word of mouth advertising. Then while playing golf an inspiration will come to us that like in golf, follow-through is important. Just like we need to finish our swing in golf, we need to finish the transaction with our customer. This could then lead to follow-up communications like saying "thank you", and the like. Golf also teaches us to keep our eye on the target or dream. This is an excellent example of the value of fun, rest & relaxation to the business owner and business.

Finally, many business owners have "providing well for their family" as a goal of their efforts. If the business owner doesn't take the time to spend with their family, they may not want to even share in any of the other successes.

Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, & spiritually and then you will be able to do anything, to have anything and to be anything.

Mark Styranka is the owner of Exciting Destiny.com.
He writes on a variety of topics but primarily
relating to money making secrets for the stay at
home business. To learn more about how you can
work & stay at home, Mark recommends that you visit:
http://www.ExcitingDestiny.com
http://www.AudioEbookSelfhelp.com

Recommended: WARNING: These are the "secrets" other opportunities DON'T want you to know...