Having a plan for a healthy body can be summed up in two words: diet and exercise. A plan for a healthy business can be more challenging to define. Let’s face it, it’s not a term we hear or think about often. The signs of an unhealthy business may begin slowly, then compound into frustration and overwhelm when left untreated. Many solopreneurs are so caught up in the day-to-day of running a business that they never step back to consider their business might be sick, or worse, chronically ill. Should we take our biz in for an annual physical? Or, should we be creating daily health habits for success, like eating vegetables and exercising more? The simple answer is: both. Here are a few action steps for preventive care to create a lean, mean, revenue-generating machine.

Focus on the vision, not the goal. Lack of vision has toppled many businesses and organizations. The message we hear is that goal setting and action plans are the key to success. The “G” word is overrated. Most of my clients don’t know where to begin when it comes to creating a vision statement, or the fundamental difference between a vision and a goal. Simply put, vision inspires action, goals are the baby steps that take you there. Symptoms of a lack of vision include goal setting-itis, lack of direction and working your butt off with little to no growth.

Come up for air. If you’ve ever flown on an airplane you’ve heard the flight attendant instruct you to put your oxygen mask on first in the event of an emergency. As women, we tend to forget this basic health rule. If you’re so overwhelmed that you can’t think, you can’t help anyone else, let alone your business. Avoid a biz meltdown by taking a time-out to breathe new life into your daily plan. Whether you have 10 minutes or 30 minutes, walk away from your desk, clear your mind and take a few deep breaths. If you have the time, go for a walk. Let your thoughts wander and tune in to inspired action. You’ll feel refreshed, refocused and ready to conquer the day.

Get a quarterly checkup. We all know insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. Can you really afford to wait a year for an annual checkup when you could have refocused your business, and your results, months earlier? Your “doctor” can include a mentor, coach or mastermind group. Evaluate what’s working, and more importantly, what’s not. Having someone else look at your business will give you new insights that you might have missed.

Ask yourself these questions every day to keep your business, and your life, in optimal shape:

• Why am I here?
• What is my vision?
• What is my intention?
• What is the most important business building activity I can do today?
• Who can help?

7 Quotes for a Healthy Body and Healthy Business:

“You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” ~ Wayne Gretzky

“Just Do It.” ~ Nike

“When quitting is no longer an option, you’re halfway there.” ~ Unknown

“The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!” ~ Marvin Phillips

“When your legs are tired, run with your heart.” ~ Unknown

“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.” ~ Jim Rohn

“The dictionary is the only place that success comes before work.” ~ Vince Lombardi

Ready to really rock your direct sales biz?