When it comes to investing in entrepreneurial self-care and development, do
you freeze in your tracks? Are you paralyzed by the cost of investing in
yourself--and justifying that expense?
Self-development is a hard concept for many women to buy into when they're
footing the bill. Many also don't know what kind of return to expect from these
investments.
Here's a list of five essential self-investments that women entrepreneurs need to
drive business success.
1. Make time to think. Investing in structured time away from
the office--in addition to vacations--can help you develop your business. Time
away allows you to brainstorm and create, which is essential for grappling with
pressing business challenges and finding breakthrough solutions.
Prior to each "think break," select one opportunity and one challenge you're
facing in your business and assign it a value on a 1-10 scale. This gives focus
and value to each creative furlough. Slowing down to think can be one of the
best ways to speed up business growth.
2. Acquire or create certification. Depending on your industry,
acquiring additional certifications enhances your ability to attract customers,
reduce attrition and raise prices. Certifications are a great way to grow your
credentials and position your company as a leader to prospective clients.
You can also create your own certification by assembling a set of best
practices and building a training program around them. Industries such as
fitness, for example, encourage and invite top professionals to create new
certifications. Other industries, such as accounting and law, give leading
professionals an opportunity to create and teach courses that satisfy
requirements for continuing education credits. Becoming a source for education,
ongoing certification and advancement of your colleagues quickly positions you
as an expert in your profession.
3. Formalize a peer support system. Of all the support
mechanisms available, established women business owners would appear to benefit
most from peer-to-peer networking that plans participant composition, develops
meeting agendas and monitors goal attainment (Survey by: National Women's
Business Council).
Looking across the table at a peer who struggles with the same issues as you
do allows you to release fears and replace them with measurable action. A strong
peer support group can more than pay for your time and membership within the
first six months.
4. Adopt a CEO-quality self-care system. Your health affects
critical thinking and performance within your company every day. Make health a
priority by emphasizing the importance of regular medical checkups, balanced
nutrition, frequent exercise and a regimen for stress management.
5. Go private. A psychologist, high-powered personal mentor or
coach can help you overcome personal limitations that stunt your company's
growth potential. A good coach should be able to quantify how and when your
investment will pay for itself during the first 90 days.
You're your company’s greatest asset, so self-investment needs to be a
requirement instead of a reward. Investing in yourself is not indulgent--it's
simply asset protection and smart business growth.