Taking a Sick Day as an Entrepreneur
Originally Posted 2/21/22
SICK DAY? I can’t take a sick day? I am an entrepreneur. I am the boss. I am the employee. I am the bookkeeper. I am the Mom. I am the wife. I am the cook. I am the janitorial staff. I am the leader. I don’t have sick pay. I don’t earn money when I am not at work. A sick day? No, thank you. But what happens when your body betrays the ideology you are clinging to? Well, that's what we're going to talk about today.
I was so on my game as 2021 wrapped up. I had my goals set and planned out. My marketing and social media campaigns were on track and rolling. The business was doing good. Things were slow as we wrapped up the holidays and moved into the new year, but still moving forward. Then it happened—the something you dread happening as an entrepreneur. Specifically, I dread this happening when I am excited and ready to go at the beginning of the year. Still, unfailing and unyielding, it came—a Chest Cold. I have had many chest colds, but this one was mean. It knocked me out of the count. It knocked me out for two solid weeks. Then, as it would, it attacked my family. My husband and my son got the same chest cold. I was sick for two weeks. Then my husband was for a week. My son was sick for two more weeks. The end of January and most of February. Are you freaking kidding me?
All that time down gave me plenty of time to think. And I kept running this thought through my head. How does an entrepreneur take a sick day? It seems a silly question since the answer is relatively basic. How do you take a sick day? Well, you just take it. You are, in fact, the boss. The ease of taking a sick day isn’t the issue here. It's the lack of potential income you cannot make because you can’t work. I am not an expert on this idea. So, when I don’t know the answer, I research. I found this short article from Cohere Co-working. “How To Earn Paid Sick Days As an Entrepreneur.” It's a great look at planning as we are earning money.
Today I want to focus on the idea that as vital as it is to financially set yourself up for taking time off due to being sick or caring for sick loved ones, it's equally essential that we as entrepreneurs get good at taking care of ourselves. This isn’t always something that entrepreneurs put on their to-do lists. Taking care of one's health is often looked at as a task. So how should we look at the “task.” My chest cold is not the worst thing that could happen to me, and it's not the worst thing that could happen to my family. As much as I would love to escape the doom and gloom, the truth is- it can and will occur. Something as minor as a chest cold or as severe as a more life-threatening illness. We can do things to help keep us as healthy as possible. Those steps don't always align with the go-getting entrepreneur because they sometimes require a small and short step back from the daily focus of growth and profit.
Taking care of ourselves should be as important as mastering the cold cal. If cold calling isn’t your business model, apply a business task vital to your success. I am not suggesting that taking care of yourself will prevent illness but will lessen the opportunity for viruses and infections to take hold of you and decimate your schedule. I am not a doctor, so let's hear this from certified medical practitioners. This article from Duke Health lays out some simple steps doctors take to stay healthy, which will work for us. Some of these we are familiar with since Covid has been a way of life. I will list their list here but encourage you to read the article. “How Doctors Stay Healthy Year Round and How you Can Too.”
Their list would make my list every day of the week. Follow these steps, and you, too, can stay healthy year-round.
Wash hands frequently. “It’s the most effective preventive measure,” says Dr. West. Use hand sanitizer or soap and water frequently during the day.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. They are gateways that allow bacteria and viruses access to your body.
Sanitize surfaces. Disinfectant is used continually at Duke Primary Care Timberlyne to wipe down everything from exam surfaces to computer keyboards. Dr. West suggests people do the same with high traffic areas in their homes or offices. “Wipe down your desk, your phone, any common areas, and where you eat at least once a day.”
Exercise regularly. Research shows regular exercise – 30-45 minutes per day, 4–5 days per week, boosts the immune system and helps maintain good health. Walking requires no skill, is inexpensive, accessible, and a good form of exercise as well. Walk at least 5000 steps per day (less than 5,000 considered a sedentary lifestyle) with the goal of walking more than 10,000 steps most days of the week. Pedometers are relatively cheap and can track the steps you take. Phone apps can do the same, and many are free.
Drink water. Clear liquids are best, says Dr. West, who drinks water regularly. “It keeps your energy level up and ensures your body stays hydrated,” she says.
Get enough sleep. Seven to eight hours per night is key to maintaining a healthy body. “If you do get sick, resting helps your body heal faster,” Dr. West says.
Eat seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. They’re packed with vitamins and nutrients that are essential for overall good health.
Beware of party food. That double dipper may be leaving germs in the party dip. Stay away.
Laugh a lot. It minimizes stress, which can weaken immune systems.
Don’t smoke. Need another reason to quit? Research shows smokers have poorer health than non-smokers and take more sick days.
There are things you probably already know about this list. But laughing? Who knew that was a way to strengthen your immune system? I hope this article has shown you a couple of things.
Take care of yourself. Your health translates into your success.
Build up a financial safety net for when sick days do come.
If you do get sick- Take the day or the week. Take what you need to get better. If you are sick, you won’t be good to anyone or your company.
Thank you so much for stopping by. If you have any questions or want to leave suggestions on future posts, please email me today.
Jen Cooper
JKC Mobile Notary
