So when I was employed and wasn’t feeling well I could take time off work, get a doctors note, not worry about what was going on at work whilst I was ill, and still receive an income, BUT what happens when the business is yours and you are taken ill? Who is going to look after your clients? Who is going to pay your bills when your not paying yourself sick pay?
Recently I was taken ill with Shingles. I’d not been feeling well for a couple of weeks before being diagnosed but brushed it off, got out of bed, continued to work, continued to network and burnt myself out. I was stressed because I knew I wasn’t working at my best and that I felt my clients would suffer from me not being at my desk. My wife constantly told me to slow down, that my clients would understand if they knew I was ill and would much prefer me to take it easy for a few days, get myself back ‘on it’ and come back firing on all cylinders. I didn’t listen, it’s a bloke thing I think, and Shingles was the result.
So, I took those few days off that the missus nagged me to do, rested up, stayed at home and delegated from my office. It’s a times like this that I realised how lucky I was to have a great network of friends and colleagues around me to help me in my hours of need, oh, and an awesome wife (she told me I had to say that).
I was lucky enough to have my wife come into the office and take the pressure off where admin and phone calls were concerned. The management of the networking company that I am Regional Leader for, stepped in and took up the reins where my region was concerned, all I had to do was ask, and friends called in to check up on me to make sure I was okay. My clients were made aware I was ill and, much to my surprise, were very supportive. The fact that I had people around me that I could call on for a couple of weeks actually meant the service I gave my clients did not suffer.
What I’m trying to say is, surround yourself with friends when working alone in business, you never know when you may need their help, and you may be amazed at how they rally round to help. Know that if the tables are turned, you will be there to help them.
Working for yourself and feeling ill? Pull that duvet up to your chin for a couple of days, accept the help from those around you that you have striven to get to know over the years, take the time off for a few days and trust me, you and your business will benefit in the long run. It’s not good to run on empty, take time to recharge.