“Who is playing on my team” is a question that every entrepreneur should ask themselves. Much like the staff or team you have created for your business, you need to have individuals on your side that can provide you with help and support. No man or woman is an island, and entrepreneurship can easily make you feel as if you are on the waters by yourself.
There are individuals that you should have in your corner that can guide you in staying balanced while helping you develop the tools you need to keep your personal and professional life moving smoothly.
So, who should be playing on your team? Take a look at the major players that should think about adding to your roster.
A Life Coach with a Business Edge
There is much misunderstanding regarding how a life coach is different from a therapist. However, these individuals are more focused on helping you create and reach personal, professional, and even business goals while maintaining balance as well as your sanity.
They offer guidance and encouragement and can help you organize your life in ways that allow you to improve the quality of your day-to-day experiences. As an entrepreneur, it is easy to lose sight of the objectives you have set, and a life coach can help you go back to basics and better your approach.
A Therapist
Entrepreneurs are 50 percent more likely to report having a mental health condition and are twice as likely to suffer from depression. The pressures of being your own boss can feel overwhelming. This reason is why it isn’t a bad idea to seek out the help of a trained and licensed therapist. This individual can help talk you through troubling experiences related to mental health that you may be experiencing. They can also provide you with excellent tools to manage stress, fear, and anxiety.
A Personal Finance Coach
So, you’ve just made your first profit. Congratulations! Now, what do you do with the money? How do you ensure your lifestyle contributes to the success of your business? The next best step could be to enlist the help of a personal finance coach. These professionals can help you set savings goals, create a budget that adheres to your current finances, and assist you in creating an overall stellar money management strategy. How you utilize your personal finances can impact your business dealings, so add someone to the team that can help you optimize this approach.
A Trusted Mentor
Sometimes, you need someone to bounce ideas off of, or create an introduction between yourself and a potential partner. A trusted mentor can be the person to help with both events. This person may be someone who was a former boss, seasoned colleague, or professor whom you have connected to, and that is familiar with what you do and knows where you want to go.
They may introduce you to their contacts, send resources your way, meet for coffee to discuss how things are going, and offer guidance. You can even deepen the relationship by providing your services to them or asking how you can help. If you do not have one, begin to attend business affinity groups or alumni events, and then work to build a relationship with someone whom you want to become your mentor.
A Non-Business Friend
It is always great to have someone to talk to about business, finances, and career goals, but there are times where you need a break from this world. Burnout is real, and if you never take time to turn off this part of your life, you can spiral into “entrepreneur fatigue.”
Therefore, it is crucial to have friends and family who are not a part of your business world. Work on developing hobbies that you enjoy outside of work, and invite these people along. These individuals will help you stay grounded and allow you to realize that preserving your personal time is just as important as developing your business.
Final Thoughts
Everyone needs a team of people to offer support and encouragement. Those mentioned above could be excellent additions to your roster. So, if you do not already have these individuals on your team, consider adding them. They all come with strengths that can help you keep your mind, finances, business dealings, and personal time in order. Each one can put you on the path to become and stay the “entrepreneurial star player.”
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