Many entrepreneurs have extremely demanding schedules that require them to put in longer hours than the average employee.
Having your very own business and managing its ins and outs is no easy feat. Entrepreneurs know this more than anyone else, as these individuals forge businesses from the ground up, going through an entire creative process that ultimately requires them to be at the top of their game every day.
It’s no secret that an entrepreneur’s greatest tool is their mind. After all, sharp cognitive functioning allows them to put in the long hours needed to make their company successful. However, what are some ways that these intelligent business owners can help their minds to stay strong, keeping their eyes on the prize and taking their work to new heights? In this article we explore a few off-the-clock activities that will aid entrepreneurs in their bold goals.
Getting Adequate Rest
Any employee knows that rest is a direct influencer of performance in the workplace. And particularly for those with an entrepreneurial lifestyle, both adequate nighttime sleep and daily breaks can serve as effective tools against accumulated stress and fatigue. When the brain is at rest, the body is able to recharge and reset, storing up energies that will later help boost performance.
For the busy entrepreneur that may not feel like they have a second to sit down let alone fall completely asleep, power naps of just 10 or 20 minutes provide recovery benefits without making the person feel overly drowsy, allowing them to return directly to work but this time with replenished determination. Regardless of the type of rest you normally employ, taking these small opportunities for relaxation can help the mind greatly.
Playing Games and Puzzles that Require Focus
Aside from a good amount of R&R, another way entrepreneurs can increase their daily cognitive processes is by playing games that require a certain amount of mental focus. Because the brain is the body’s most important organ, it needs exercise to function to the best of its ability. Chess is one game that facilitates this type of stimulation as its players must have full board awareness and be prepared to make a myriad of decisions at every twist and turn. Card games like blackjack also require players to stay concentrated while making calculated moves throughout. Although players do not have to be math geniuses to understand the anatomy of blackjack, the game’s use of probability makes it a great one for cognitive enhancement.
Likewise, puzzle games such as the popular logic-based one Sudoku has been proven to help with speeding up cognitive functioning, as players begin to solve puzzles faster and faster after the completion of one. Although puzzles and crossword activities are typically aimed at promoting brain health in senior citizens, this is also great news for entrepreneurs that want to stay sharp while having fun.
Whether it’s through long distance running or simple at-home exercises, daily movement is crucial when it comes to cognitive functioning
Reading Books
Entrepreneurs are already known for their high intake of books, especially those which revolve around the working world. However, for those business owners that are not frequent readers, investing some time between the pages of a good book, be it fiction or non-fiction, can actually strengthen the brain’s neurological pathways over time, leading to higher cognitive functioning. What’s more is that immersing yourself in a good read can also help improve bedtime sleeplessness, allowing you to get in those 7+ hours of rest the average adult needs each evening.
Staying Active
The millennial generation has discovered the secret of entrepreneurial success- it’s about working smart not hard. And working smart often means taking the necessary time off in order to prevent burnout. Many entrepreneurs may want to exercise and work out more, but long hours at the office stand in their way more often than not.
However, even if it means closing the office early or missing one project deadline, staying active is essential for keeping the mind strong and work performance high. Exercise not only sends endorphins to the brain, but also helps with creating certain hormones which aid in brain cell growth. Staying engaged and energetic each day can be difficult as a busy entrepreneur, but daily movement can help exponentially.
