Thinking about starting your own business after a successful career in corporate America? There are hundreds of important things to ponder as you prepare to take the plunge. Self-care is one that’s often overlooked.
How well are you taking care of you? If you’re like most corporate citizens, probably should, especially if the marathon of business ownership is in your future. Many of us Baby Boomers grew up with a corporate culture that told us, only half-kiddingly, “If you don’t come into the office on Saturday, don’t even bother coming in on Sunday!” (I had a boss who actually used to say this, but always with a smile on his face.)
And if you travel for business, your self-care gaps are bound to be even bigger.The agita of getting to appointments on strange streets (pre-GPS), getting to the airport on time and dealing with issues at home and at the office while away makes many of us feel like there is someone (the boss?) with his boot on our chest. So if you are thinking of getting off the corporate thrill-ride and going solo, you should give some thought to the kind of shape are you in, physically and mentally. You should start doing more self-care a year before turning in your office ID. Including:
- Stop smoking. Do you still smoke? Very Nineties. Cut it out.
- Over 50? Colonoscopy time. I turned 50 this year and had my first one. What a big nothing! Dealing with the laxative is the only part that’s a tad unpleasant. But well worth it to hear from the doctor that I am in perfect health and to come back for another one in five years.
- Do you drink lots of coffee in the office because it’s free and always there? Does your generous employer stock the fridge with free soda? Cut way, way back on caffeine and sugar. Life in the self-employment lane will self-caffeinate you plenty.
- While the boss is paying for it, make sure everyone in your family has their check-ups (medical and dental) and has as much work done as possible on your employer’s dime. (My son needed $3,000 of uninsured dental work a year after I left corporate employment. I could have had half of it paid for with some forethought.) Ditto with eye exams and prescription glasses.
- If you have back pain or any other kind of chronic pain, deal with it. Chiropractic, homeopathic, acupuncture, whatever may work. Don’t go into a self-employment without your entire self in great working order. When you leave the office for good, you should feel physically fantastic.
- If you are really going to leave and it’s just a matter of time, why are you pushing yourself so hard? Slow down. Take all your vacation. Bring no work home. Start to unwind mentally. Do it for a year because when you start your own business, it’ll take all the energy you have.
- Oh, and of course, floss.
