LIVING and running a business during a global pandemic with the uncertainty around lockdowns, rule changes and ‘road maps’ has created new and uncharted territory for us all, and has led to confusion, isolation, heartbreak and stress. 

Prioritising your wellbeing during this time is important, because if you aren’t well it will reflect on how well you can run your business. 

The small business coaching team at REWiRE believe that successful businesses need to have a balance across their business, their community, their family and of course their own wellbeing.

Below the REWiRE small business team have put together their top 7 tips to minimise the impact on your wellbeing and manage the feelings that many of us are feeling right now.

1. Routine:

Continue with as much of your previous routine as possible. Rise at the same time, shower and get dressed. If you are working from home – stick to your work hours if possible – and follow your same processes. Eat your meals at the same times and have a consistent bed time. 

2. Designated Work Space: 

If you are working from home or have specific tasks to do at home that you normally wouldn’t, try to create a separate work space for these. 

A place that will separate work and home for you as much as practicable.

3. Daily Achievements: 

We all need purpose and a sense of achievement in our lives. Try to do one activity per day that will give you this feeling. It could be mowing your lawns, gardening, a puzzle or a craft project. Only you will know what a satisfying activity is for you.

4. Practise Gratitude: 

To shift into a positive mindset try to list 5 things each day you are grateful for. This could include things like your family, the weather or one-off things like someone at the supermarket letting you checkout before them.

5. Check In: 

Give somebody outside your household a call, or a text, or a video call over zoom or facetime. 

Check in on how they are going and talk about yourself too. 

Reduce your isolation and keep your connection with others. Don’t forget to check in on your children – they may not know or say they are being affected by all the changes around them, but their behaviour may indicate otherwise.

6. Give Yourself a Break: 

Go easy on yourself and your family. Everyone is finding things challenging and everyone is under stress. 

Kids learning from home has been tough.

Speak to their teachers if you are finding it too difficult and see if you can shift the focus to learning practical skills instead of set work. 

Don’t be hard on yourself or feel guilty about your feelings. Take care of yourself.

7. Professional Support: 

If you are finding life coming out of lockdown, restricted movements, mask wearing, home education, financial stress or anything else is getting you down, reach out to one of the professional support networks following

Beyond Blue 1800 512 348 (free 24/7 counselling)

LifeLine Text 0477 131 114 (from 6pm-midnight) or online www.lifeline.org.au (free 7pm-midnight)

Head to Health www.headtohealth.gov.au (find support to suit you from 564 resources)

Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 (free, private, and confidential counselling for ages 5-25 years)

Ahead for Business www.aheadforbusiness.org.au (specifically for the wellbeing of small business owners).

If you are experiencing financial hardship, need some help getting your finances on track or help coming up with a plan to help get you out of a tough situation the REWiRE small business coaches are a government-funded, independent, free service who’s only agenda is helping you.

Call them on 1800 570 655 or visit rewireproject.com.au