Self-Care for Professionals: Prioritizing Well-being in a Busy World

Self-care for business professionals

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we empower you to find, be, and build your influence. In a busy world, it can be hard for professionals to find the time to practice self-care. However, neglecting yourself is not the way to be your best influence. You can only be your best if you are feeling the best, which means taking good care of yourself. If you struggle with prioritizing your well-being, you’re in the right place.

Take Care of Your Body

Treating your body well is the number one way for professionals to prioritize themselves; if you’re not feeling your best, you can’t do your best. Sluggishness can be fended off through exercise, eating well, staying hydrated, and getting good sleep.

You should aim for at least 30 mins of physical activity every day; whether that is yoga, walking, going to the gym, or something else is completely up to you. Plus, don’t forget to get up from your desk and walk around! Sitting for too long is not very good for you, so take breaks to stretch and consider getting a standing desk.

We’ve been told since birth that we need a balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables (I think everyone remembers seeing the food pyramid in our schools’ cafeterias). Growing up is no exception; when life becomes busy, we might reach for pre-made foods or snacks that are high in sodium, fat, and sugar (devoid of nutrients). To thrive, you need to feed your body and mind with good, whole foods! And don’t forget to drink your water, too.

Sleep is an obvious need, but how much is highly debated. Personally, I need at least 8 hours to function, but I know people who function very well on 7 or even 6. I think most doctors would agree that any less than 6 hours is probably not the best choice, so do your best to get adequate sleep so you can enter REM sleep and clear your mind for your next day of tackling tasks.

Practice Stress Management

Life can be stressful; we juggle work, kids, school, pets, spending time with friends and loved ones, and the list goes on. There is a lot demanded of us in today’s society, so we need to ensure we are practicing stress management in order to properly take care of our well-being. Spending time doing something you love (a hobby or being with friends), taking a moment to celebrate your victories before rushing off to complete the next goal, and establishing a proper relaxation routine are all great ways to manage stress.

Everyone should have a hobby or something they enjoy doing in their free time. There are so many different hobbies out there for us to pick up that it would be impossible to name them all, but some at the highest level might be cooking, baking, painting, gaming, building models, crochet, and I could keep going.

Stop to celebrate your victories! You worked hard to achieve something, it would be inconsiderate toward yourself to not take a pause to recognize all the work you put in to achieve something. It’s very easy to say, “Okay, great. Next.” But slowing down to appreciate yourself is a great way to practice stress management.

In fact, slowing down is, in itself, a great stress management tool. You can develop a relaxation routine for when you are feeling high-strung. That is going to look different for everyone; for me, I like to take a bubble bath, light some incense, and put on some lofi. Incorporating smells, low lights, and comfy activities into your relaxation routine can help slow down your nervous system and make de-stressing much easier.

Establish Clear Boundaries

Setting boundaries isn’t always easy, especially if you’re a people pleaser. However, if you don’t put your needs and schedule ahead of what others need, you’ll never get anything done, you’ll be overworked (and overstressed), and you just won’t feel good. That’s why learning to say no, establishing set work hours versus personal hours, and taking a daily digital detox is a great way to prioritize your well-being.

There are many kind ways to tell someone no. It’s easy to say yes when we want to help or when we have the time, but sometimes we just don’t have the time or the energy to help someone at that point in time. Saying no gives you your time and energy back, allowing you to focus on your priorities.

For some, this tip might not work very well, but, if you can, it would be good for your well-being to set work and personal hours. If you need to compromise, it’s okay to say “5 – 7 am is my personal time, and the rest of the day I will be available for my team.” Some people can say “I only work 9 am – 5 pm” and it works for them, but that’s not everyone’s luxury. So, be sure to carve out “you time” where you cannot be bothered.

Taking a step away from social media, your phone, emails, and anything digital (TV and games included) is so good for your brain. We are constantly bombarding our brains with noise and activities; it’s no wonder people are so tired. Take a step away from the digital at least once a day. For me, this is when I wake up. I say no to my phone and go stretch instead.

Bottom Line

Prioritizing your well-being in a busy world can seem elusive, but it doesn’t have to be. With good intentions, you can carve out the time you need to take care of yourself. Eat whole foods, drink water, get rest, get exercise, find a hobby, celebrate your wins, slow down, kindly say no, set aside time for yourself, and have a daily digital detox. Incorporate these tips into your day one at a time, and slowly but surely you will have a more balanced life with plenty of self-care.

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How to Mitigate Financial Risk Using the S.M.A.R.T. Management System

June 9, 2025

In an increasingly volatile economy, businesses cannot afford to be reactive when it comes to their finances. Whether you're a startup founder, a growing enterprise, or a seasoned business owner, the risk of financial instability is real—and growing. At IA Business Advisors, we help companies proactively navigate these risks using our comprehensive S.M.A.R.T. Management System . S.M.A.R.T. is more than just a goal-setting acronym. It is a decision-making and execution framework that brings clarity, structure, and alignment to every part of your business. From six-week action plans to one-year targets and long-term strategy, S.M.A.R.T. ensures your financial operations support healthy growth and resilience. Understanding Financial Risk in Today’s Business Climate Financial risk is multifaceted. It ranges from cash flow disruptions and market shifts to internal mismanagement and over-leveraged growth. As Brian Smith shared on a recent Daily Influence podcast episode, unchecked growth can drive a company into bankruptcy. Scaling without intention—chasing fast growth without aligning the internal team and financial resources—leads to diluted communication, quality issues, and operational chaos. Mitigating financial risk begins by understanding that more revenue doesn't always equal more stability. True sustainability comes from building systems that support intentional, well-paced growth. The S.M.A.R.T. Framework in Action: Reducing Financial Risk Our S.M.A.R.T. Management System guides businesses in creating resilient, financially stable operations through: 1. Specific: Build with Intentionality Clarity is power. One of our podcast guests, Mike Heatwole (CEO of The Dala Group), emphasized the importance of sitting down to define what matters most—whether that’s paying down debt, investing in growth, or launching a new venture. When your financial goals are specific, your strategy becomes targeted and less prone to reactive decision-making. “If we don’t know what the goal is, how do we get there?” — Mike Heatwole, CEO of The Dala Group 2. Measurable: Track What Matters Many companies are blindsided not by invisible risks, but by unmonitored ones. We help clients implement tools to track cash flow, margin fluctuations, and budget variances in real time. Visibility into your financial health gives you the power to respond early and course correct as needed. 3. Achievable: Assign Financial Stewardship Risk is reduced when financial responsibility is distributed. Through teamwide financial literacy and clear accountability, we empower organizations to make stronger daily decisions. No individual person should carry the entire burden—and no key area should go unmonitored. 4. Relevant: Make Risk Management a Habit Quarterly or biannual financial health check-ins create a sustainable rhythm. These don’t have to be complicated—they just need to be consistent. Regular reviews embed risk awareness into your company culture and decision-making process. 5. Timely: Foster Honest Dialogue Financial silence is a hidden threat. As Brian noted on the podcast, emotions like fear or shame can prevent businesses from facing financial realities. We encourage honest, blame-free communication around financial performance, creating space for solutions and collective action. Case in Point: Short-Term Action, Long-Term Impact One of our clients, a family-run distribution company, had strong revenue but was bleeding cash due to aging receivables. Together, we built a six-week S.M.A.R.T. Plan focused on accounts receivable recovery. We implemented weekly check-ins, assigned ownership, and used real-time tracking. Within 90 days, their outstanding A/R dropped by 22%, freeing up capital and restoring operational confidence. It’s Never Too Late to Get Financially Intentional Many leaders in their 40s, 50s, or 60s worry they’ve waited too long. But as Mike Heatwole wisely shared: “It’s never too late. Just get started. Do something.” Progress—not perfection—is the goal. Start small. Build momentum. Take the next best step. This mirrors a concept we love from The Gap and The Gain by Dan Sullivan: measure progress based on how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. Final Thoughts: Make Financial Stability a Strategy Mitigating financial risk isn’t about a dramatic overhaul. It’s about consistent action, visibility, and intentional decision-making. With the S.M.A.R.T. Management System, IA Business Advisors helps businesses turn risk into clarity, fear into focus, and instability into opportunity. If you’re ready to start, we’re ready to help. Let’s have a conversation about what matters most to you—and build from there.

Enhancing Interpersonal Relationships for Toxic Workplace Recovery

May 29, 2025

Hello, team! Mary here, continuing our journey through the I in Team series, where we challenge and empower you to Find , Be , and Build Your Influence. One of the most common things we’re asked to help our clients with is toxic workplace recovery. This directly connects to the culture of the team, and while rebuilding that culture takes time and intention, it is absolutely possible. In fact, with the guidance of our I in Team approach and S.M.A.R.T. Management system, we’ve successfully helped more than 19,000 teams evolve into high-performing, values-based cultures. If you’re ready to take the lead and breathe life back into your team, we’re here and ready to support you. Practice Emotional Intelligence One of the most impactful steps you can take on your toxic workplace recovery journey is to practice emotional intelligence (the ability to recognize, understand, and manage both your own emotions and the emotions of those around you). Toxic environments are often the result of emotional disconnection, poor communication, unnecessary competition, and a culture that avoids constructive feedback. Begin by shifting your perspective: respond with empathy, ask thoughtful questions, and use “I” statements. These habits model two traits, emotional regulation and empathy, that influence how your team interacts and solves problems. Start small. For example, set a personal goal to give one piece of sincere praise or recognition per day. This is a S.M.A.R.T. goal, and it starts to reinforce positive emotional exchanges. Over time, this contributes to a psychologically safe environment where people feel seen and supported. Foster Open Communication Once emotional intelligence begins to take root, toxic workplace recovery is just around the corner. Open communication becomes more natural because when team members are aware of their own and others’ emotions, communication becomes seamless. The number one rule? Listen. Really listen. Without listening, communication is incomplete. Try implementing monthly influence partnerships—team pairings that rotate so members can get to know each other beyond surface-level roles. This creates connection and, when done with consistency (Timely), fosters trust across your team. Another way to build open communication is by creating a structured feedback loop. Clarify how and when feedback should be given—perhaps during weekly one-on-ones or monthly review meetings—and make sure all team members understand the difference between criticism and constructive feedback. S.M.A.R.T. feedback is Specific and Relevant, and when delivered with respect, it encourages team members to grow without fear. Lead by Example As we say throughout the I in Team series, everyone is a leader regardless of title. Whether you’re in the C-suite or just starting your first job, how you show up directly shapes the culture of your team. To begin, set some respectful boundaries rooted in your values. Let others know what you need to succeed and what behaviors support or disrupt your work. When disagreements arise, demonstrate what respectful disagreement looks like—calm, focused on solutions, and free from personal attacks. If your workplace has leaned into competition, shift the focus to collaboration. Collaborate on micro-goals, like shared tasks or cross-functional projects. Make the results Measurable and celebrate wins together (publicly, if possible). Consider S.M.A.R.T.-based team-building events (like problem-solving challenges or goal-setting workshops) to reinforce collaboration in a meaningful way. Final Thoughts Toxic workplace recovery starts with you. Every interaction, every word, every moment of listening is a chance to model what’s possible. Show up the way you want others to show up. If your team is struggling to rebuild or you need expert guidance, reach out . We’re here to help. Let’s keep influencing responsibly and positively together.