Written By Angelica Hanley, WISE Project Manager

Self admittedly, I’ve not always been good at juggling multiple responsibilities at once. 

Prior to joining WISE as a project manager, I often found my job, personal life, and entrepreneurial pursuits to be in contention with one another. I was running my own business while trying to manage a fulltime job and still have some semblance of downtime. It’s safe to say I had zero balance and no concept of boundaries. The stress was overwhelming. 

After a lot of trial and error and talking to other entrepreneurs, I finally realized that my lack of balance was a result of unhealthy habits that were gnawing away at my productivity. In short, I had the time to get everything done, I just lacked the skills to do it efficiently.

As I’ve developed as a professional, I’ve learned that by implementing small (yet powerful) routines into your work day, you’re better able to take care of yourself and your time. And you can’t bring your best self to your work if you are not healthy!

 

If you’re wanting to be a healthier entrepreneur, try practicing these five healthy habits for a more productive work day: 

 

1) Set A Routine

You’re an entrepreneur so your workdays are unpredictable, but don’t let the word routine intimidate you. Maybe you wake up early and go to a yoga class, or you set a firm bedtime each night to allow for a full night’s sleep. Each day, commit to one non-work-related activity that can be routine. You’ll learn to look forward to this and it will help you be more productive.

 

2) Socialize

Even if you don’t have a lot of time to spend socializing, make that time count. Rid yourself of distractions and genuinely connect with the people around you. Try to talk about topics that are not work-related, you never know how a new topic or idea may inspire you.

 

3) Manage Stress & Expectations

Take notes when you’re feeling stressed and work proactively to resolve it. As an entrepreneur, you’re likely juggling many projects and tasks at once so time management may be a stress factor. Be aware of your boundaries, make them clear to those around you and don’t be afraid to say no. You’ll find you bring a better attitude to the things you do commit to and will have the energy to enjoy them.

 

4) Eat Healthy & Drink Water

Eating healthy and staying hydrated seems like common sense but when we’re busy we often forget to nourish our body and will either not eat or resort to snacking on junk food. Make it a point to have a bottle or glass of water next to you at all times and make your favorite healthy snacks accessible or better yet, visible.

 

5) Exercise

Even if you can’t squeeze in that morning or afternoon workout you can still get your body moving throughout the day in short increments. Take a 10-minute break to do jumping jacks or go for a quick walk around your block. Posture checks and stretching are also important.  

 

Since adding healthy habits into my daily routine I've become more productive, a better communicator with my teams and clients, and much more present in my personal life.  It has been a win-win-win on all fronts. 

 

What are some healthy habits that keep you energized throughout the workday?  

If you’ve followed Angelica’s tip #3 and realized you are stressed, start by saying “no” by saying “yes” to WISE! Let a skilled WISE Team Member take some tasks off your list and help reduce the amount of stress in your life. https://wiseadviseteam.com/contact/

angelica

Angelica Hanley

Associate Marketing PM

Angelica Hanley, WISE Project Manager, has a background in creative project management and experience running her own business. She is able to connect with our client’s business on a personal level as she knows firsthand what it’s like to grow a small business from the ground up. She is both creative and detail-oriented which helps her create compelling visuals and communicate creative ideas while also orchestrating the logistics of production and project management. Angelica is a proud Navy spouse who is calling Boston, MA home for the next year.