Self Care Wheel

A self-care wheel is a powerful tool for entrepreneurs, promoting empowerment, affirmation, positivity, stress management, contentment, and life satisfaction. It offers a wide range of self-care exercises, care modalities, and healing methods, allowing entrepreneurs to develop a personalized, sustainable, and preventative self-care plan. 

Experts recommend using the self-care wheel to reflect on your strength and weaknesses. It allows you to learn about areas of your life that need improvement. As an entrepreneur, you must practice effective self-care to find a balance between your personal and work life. Self-assessment through the self-care wheel requires your daily attention. 

The wheel has six parts, and each represents an essential aspect of your day-to-day life. Focusing on them allows you to manage stress, improve your mental and physical wellbeing, set personal and career goals, and achieve overall happiness. These six parts of the self-care wheel are:

  • Psychological 
  • Physical 
  • Social or Emotional 
  • Professional 
  • Spiritual 
  • Personal 

Using the self-care wheel helps you create balance, meaning, objectivity, and contentment in your life, which are essential aspects of your life as an entrepreneur. In today’s article, we will discuss all these six parts of the self-care wheel. Read on! 

1. Psychological

Psychological health or mental well-being is an integral part of your overall health, leading to a balanced life and healthy living. Research shows that one in five people in the United States experiences mental health issues, translating to over 40 million adults a year. 

Your mental health encompasses your psychological and emotional wellbeing, meaning it impacts how you think, feel, and behave each day. Bear in mind that psychological care also involves self-awareness of your thought process, allowing you to make informed decisions and cope with major depressive disorders. 

Self-Awareness 

Self-awareness for an entrepreneur involves identifying and acting upon his strengths and weaknesses, especially when it comes to running a business. C.B. Insights report that not focusing on self-awareness is one of the leading causes of entrepreneurship failure. 

The lack of self-awareness causes an entrepreneur to fail because he or she fails to recognize the knowledge gap. Therefore, it is essential to identify your strengths and weaknesses, expand your knowledge, and implement changes to achieve your goals. 

Although no one is perfect, you must strive to gain knowledge and improve your personal skills to achieve long-term success. When you lack self-awareness, you can’t identify how to improve yourself and run your business correctly. You can’t fix a problem until you recognize it. Here are a few ways to improve your self-awareness. 

  • Keep an open mind 
  • Practice mindfulness meditation 
  • Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses 
  • Stay focused and set boundaries 
  • Practice self-discipline 
  • Know your psychological triggers 
  • Improve your self-esteem 
  • Embrace your intuition 

Thought Process 

Thinking like an entrepreneur requires you to learn and use your unique perspective. That way, you can improve your thought process, establish a sophisticated plan, and create successful products or services for your customers.  

For instance, remind yourself what you want to achieve as an entrepreneur. Can you achieve your goals? Keep a thought log throughout the day and capture your insights. Focus on essential cognitive processes, such as:

  • Reasoning 
  • Memorizing 
  • Imagining 
  • Problem-solving 
  • Decision making 
  • Judgments 

Create an environment in which you can flourish and grow. Avoid negative thoughts and develop creative and open-minded ideas. Feel free to share your ideas and seek suggestions from friends or peers to balance your thoughts about personal and business life. 

The thought process is a vital part of the self-care wheel, allowing you to think creatively. Bear in mind that creative thinking empowers you to take your life and business to a whole new level. Look at all aspects of your personal life and business to evaluate yourself effectively. Think about:

  • How are your ideas different from others 
  • What creative ways you can use to exploit available resources 
  • Can creative thinking benefit your life or business
  • How do you plan to develop or enhance your creative thought process
  • How will your business benefit from your new ideas

2. Physical

Physically active entrepreneurs live about 7-10 years longer than people with sedentary lifestyles. Maintaining your physical health is an essential part of the self-care wheel, allowing you to reduce the risk of disease and improve your body structures, including internal organs, muscles, and bones.

Exercise 

A growing body of research evidence shows that exercise maintains a person’s metabolism and balances homeostasis. One study highlights that regular exercise can increase energy levels in the body, allowing a person to carry out day-to-day activities without feeling fatigued. 

Another research study shows that regular exercise for three months reduces muscle aches, decreases inflammation, and lowers persistent fatigue. For example, activities like walking, running, jogging, and swimming are aerobic workouts that increase your heart rate. 

As a result, your heart supplies more oxygenated blood to the brain, enabling it to stimulate and balance hormones, enhance brain cells’ growth, and boost immunity. Remember, an increased immunity is directly proportional to reduced risks of disease. 

Regular exercise is also beneficial for improving your heart, kidneys, lungs, muscles, bones, and other internal organs’ health. It lowers your blood pressure, reduces the risk of developing diabetes, and burns those extra fat deposits in your body.

Diet 

You are what you eat is a famous proverb. Your diet and food consumption patterns or behaviors can make or break your body. For instance, if you consume a sugary diet, fat-rich food items, and processed food, you will become more vulnerable to developing health conditions. 

On the other hand, as an entrepreneur, you need to keep your body fit by consuming healthy foods. Your overall physical health can influence your entrepreneurial performance. For example, when you consume a nutrient-rich diet, such as veggies, fruits, and omega-3-rich fish, you will have reduced risks of developing diseases. 

A fit body or improved physical health allows you to think creatively, stay active for a long time, and carry out your day-to-day personal and business activities effectively. All of this leads to increased productivity and higher returns on investments (R.O.I.s).   

3. Social/Emotional

Socialization is an important component of the self-care wheel, allowing people to participate in social groups, set expectations, and practice norms. The primary goals of socialization are conscience development, impulse control, and development of social roles. 

Nurture Relationships 

Entrepreneurs need to build relationships because they open up doors for numerous opportunities. Therefore, as an entrepreneur, you need to invest your time and energy in building solid and reliable personal and business relationships. Not only does relationship-building improve your personal life, but it also streamlines your business operations. 

While you can work hard, make intelligent decisions, and achieve your objectives skillfully, these qualities do not determine your business success. You need support from your family, friends, and other entrepreneurs to become socially and emotionally stable in all walks of life, including your entrepreneurial journey.  

Relationships you form with other people improve your mental, social, and emotional well-being. It is a core aspect of your survival in society and the business field. Therefore, you must develop a desire to connect and get closer to people. That way, you can develop healthy relationships. 

Sense of Connectedness

Social connection can lower your stress, depression, and anxiety. It also regulates your thoughts, induces positive emotions, and boosts self-esteem. Developing a sense of connectedness leads to empathy, peace of mind, and serenity, allowing you to find yourself surrounded by positive people who help you create a positive mindset. 

Talk at the Social Level 

Talking to your loved ones, including family members and friends, is an excellent way to improve your communication skills. At the same time, you need to communicate with other people such as professionals in your field, to gain knowledge and exchange ideas. 

Connect through Personal Power 

As an entrepreneur, you can use your personal knowledge and strength to form social connections. Research shows that 84% of entrepreneurs believe in developing a sense of belonging to a community, leading to increased communication, collaboration, and interaction. 

About 76% of entrepreneurs collaborate with experts, and 68% contact mentors or coaches to develop a sense of emotional and social well-being. We recommend focusing on the following:

  • Your existing personal and business relationships 
  • Your professional position and specific expertise
  • Your professional appearance and passion for your business 

4. Professional

Professional behavior is a vital component of the self-care wheel, allowing you to streamline your thoughts, develop plans, and achieve long-term success as an entrepreneur. Your relationships and interactions with your clients are of vital importance to achieve your business goals. 

Career Development 

Career development increases your motivation and productivity. Focusing on your career development or objectives helps you improve your skills, support your growth as an entrepreneur, and maintain your productivity throughout your journey.  

Determine where you want to be in the next 3-5 years from now. Although you can make changes in your plan along the way, make sure you know your end goal. That way, you can find numerous opportunities to develop a thriving entrepreneurial or business career. 

For instance, you might want to shift from a digital marketer to selling your own art (a big shift) , but if the opportunity arises you’ll be prepared for that role. 

Moreover, it is crucial to know your blind spots and make substantial efforts on them every day. Increase your self-awareness and focus on things you are good at and where you can expand your business. 

Always raise your hand for new opportunities, but at the same time, you need to stay mindful and determine the strengths, weaknesses, and threats of the new opportunity. Therefore, follow a proactive approach, recognize loopholes, and make a long-term plan with S.M.A.R.T objectives to develop a successful career. 

Setting Boundaries 

Working 24/7 is the order of the day for many entrepreneurs because you need to establish a successful business by working hard and diligently. However, poor boundaries can cause increased stress, burnout, and deteriorated work-life balance. 

On the other hand, when you set boundaries in place, you can establish priorities, set achievable goals, and develop sophisticated systems to accomplish these objectives. The purpose is to create a pathway that leads to increased productivity and higher profitability. Here are a few ways to set healthy boundaries. 

  • Seek help and set limits
  • Perform self-assessment 
  • Communicate clearly
  • Take time to respond
  • Delegate more
  • Create structure
  • Prepare for pushback
  • Establish your priorities
  • Set your goals
  • Develop a system
  • Manage expectations
  • Own your calendar
  • Learn to say no

5. Spiritual

Spiritual wellbeing acknowledges a person’s search for meaning and purpose in life. When you are spiritually healthy and mentally stable, you can connect to a higher power and surround yourself with positive people. Not only does spirituality lead to more clarity in your personal life, but it also brings balance and consistency in your day-to-day (including business) choices, beliefs, values, and actions. 

Self-Reflection

Self-reflection allows you to understand your strengths, emotions, weaknesses, values, goals, and drives. It also enables you to recognize your abilities and skills and how they impact other people. Bear in mind that self-reflection involves controlling your disruptive impulses and adapting to changes in your everyday life. 

Do you Accept Responsibility? 

Responsibility is a crucial factor to consider when performing self-reflection. What are you responsible for, and how can you fulfill your responsibilities? It is a critical question that you need to ask yourself. Avoid blaming external factors for your entrepreneurial failure and challenges. Learn to take full responsibility for your life.

Do you Work Harder? 

If you are not satisfied with your progress as an entrepreneur, look at what you are doing. Do you need to work a few weekends to concentrate on your objectives? Are you wasting your time doing unnecessary things? Answer these questions. 

Do your Clients Respect you? 

Professional relationships with your clients say a lot about your skills as an entrepreneur. If you think your clients do not respect you, try to provide support or guidance. Think about whether you need to make changes to influence morale, mutual respect, and engagement. For instance, when you are spiritually healthy, you can establish positive relationships with your clients and develop a sense of mutual respect. 

Community

Focusing on becoming part of a spiritual community that allows you to gain spiritual energy, share ideas, experiences, and resources with others, and empower yourself with a positive social environment. All this does wonders for your overall mental and spiritual health. 

Similarly, you need to connect yourself with a business community to build a rapport with other professionals in your field. Participate in local events, talk to people in social media groups, and communicate with experts, coaches, or mentors to develop business skills. 

Remember, forming spiritual connections with people in your local community and building relationships with other professionals and clients is a win-win situation for you. That way, you can achieve a higher level of consciousness, think positively, establish brand awareness with customers, and build up recognition for yourself as an entrepreneur. 

  • Learning from your mistakes 
  • Learn from each other’s mistakes 
  • Pass on knowledge 
  • Share experiences 
  • Exchange spiritual tips 
  • Exchange business tips
  • Make healthy connections 
  • Learn new personal and business skills 

Inspiration

Inspiration is another crucial part of the self-care wheel. It awakens you to new opportunities and allows you to transcend your limitations and experiences. When you seek inspiration, it propels you from apathies to possibilities, transforming your thinking on how you perceive your skills and capabilities. 

Although inspiration has an elusive nature, you must not overlook it. As an entrepreneur, you need the inspiration to fulfill your higher-level needs, including:

  • Your recognition
  • Your self-esteem 
  • Your self-actualization

For example, when you read an inspiring book or watch a movie or documentary, it can help you bring out your hidden talents. That way, you can become more creative and contribute to your business development. Here are a few ways to seek inspiration and streamline your personal and business life. 

  • Read books and stories 
  • Enjoy music 
  • Join a sports team
  • Show gratitude
  • Develop a vision 
  • Focus on competition 

6. Personal Self Care Wheel

Passion, honesty, confidence, and determination are a few personal values that every entrepreneur needs to achieve success. Bear in mind that customers don’t like selfish, arrogant, egotistical, and dismissive business people. Your business venture is a reflection of your personal beliefs, values, and attitudes. 

Focus on learning, positive thinking, and determining ways for success to create personal value. Engage your mind through curiosity, intellectual stimulation, knowledge, and other forms of cognitive engagement. I recommend the following:

  • Define achievable goals 
  • Get specific 
  • Get up early 
  • Check in weekly 
  • Track your progress 
  • Go public 
  • Visualize success 
  • Never give up

How to do a Self-Care Assessment?

Self-care activities allow you to improve your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, leading to enhanced day-to-day life and productive business routines. How to do a self-care assessment? In this section, I’ll will give you a checklist that you can use to assess yourself and make improvements in weak areas. 

Psychological
  • Do you exercise and meditate?
  • Do you participate in hobbies?
  • Have you removed distractions such as phone and other gadgets?
  • Have you learned new things related to your business?
  • Do you express your feelings healthily? 
  • Have you recognized your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Do you perform relaxing activities?
  • Have you found reasons to laugh?
  • Do you discuss your problem with your loved ones?
Physical 
  • Do you consume fresh and healthy foods?
  • Do you take care of your personal hygiene?
  • Do you perform exercise regularly?
  • Do you wear clothes that make you feel good?
  • Do you participate in fun activities?
  • Do you get enough sleep at night?
  • Do you use caution to avoid getting sick?
Social/Emotional 
  • Do you communicate with your friends and family?
  • Do you have stimulating and inspirational conversations?
  • Do you meet new people, including other entrepreneurs? 
  • Do you spend time with your spouse?
  • Do you help others?
  • Do you participate in group activities?
  • Do you keep in touch with old friends?
Spiritual 
  • Do you spend time in nature?
  • Do you meditate or pray?
  • Have you found a purpose in life?
  • Do your values align with your goals?
  • Do you practice self-reflection?
  • Do you appreciate art, literature, film, and music?
Professional 
  • Do you work hard to improve your personal and professional skills?
  • Do you say “No” to your clients when you are overburdened with work?
  • Do you take on exciting and productive projects?
  • Do you learn new things related to your business?
  • Have you built healthy relationships with your clients?
  • Do you take breaks during work?
  • Have you balanced your personal and business life?
  • Do you have a comfortable workspace?
  • Do you earn enough?
  • Have you achieved your short-term goals?

Final Words 

The self-care wheel involves a wide range of activities that allow you to improve your personal, physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, social, and professional aspects. Using the self-care wheel is an excellent way to enhance your life as an entrepreneur, leading to personal and business growth. Until Next Time!