I woke up on Monday morning last week and could barely roll myself out of bed to get a panadol. Like many – I fell victim to the nasty virus that is making its way round the people of Perth!
“cough cough”
Now, yes I have had a few of the common colds over the past year, but have not been this sick in a long-time and as I was floating in and out of consciousness in bed there was one very new feeling I experienced as a sick business owner – GUILT.
“cough cough”
Unlike over the past few years of the usual work and uni routine – when I was this sick I would jump on the phone and make a few calls – A friend to cover casual work shifts, a fill in for netball games and my lecturer for an extension on uni assignments. I would then enjoy my few days of much needed rest by sleeping, taking vitamins and watching some riveting day-time tv.
“ahhhh choooooooo” “cough cough”
This time however, there was no one I could call to cover shifts. Everyday I ‘rested’ was a day I lost on business development and a day when the work just piled up. I resorted to laptop in bed in which I hit off my most urgent emails, rescheduled appointments and tried to complete as much as I could before my energy levels were zapped.
“sniff, sniff”
I did as much as I could manage – but still felt guilty at all the things I should be doing and would be doing if I was healthy. And to top it off, I have rushed back into work without being fully recovered which will increase the probability of a relapse in a week or two.
“cough cough”
Having the responsibility of a business on your shoulders makes it hard to rest. But like anything, if you are not fit, healthy and able to put your all into something – it is never going to work as well as it can. The smart business owner looks after their health and wellbeing so that they are able to successfully look after the health and wellbeing of their business and employees. However, this is much easier said than done.
“ahhhhhhh chooooooooo!”
I think this is the plight of business owners and contractors and from now on, I will be eating an apple a day.
