One of my clients, a determined entrepreneur, was running a successful business while facing a significant health challenge. Like many entrepreneurs, they had been juggling countless responsibilities, pushing their limits, and putting their health on the backburner. But when their health began to seriously decline, it became clear they couldn’t keep going at the same pace.
We began working together to find a way for them to step back, focus on their health, and still keep the business running. It was a tough transition. Like many entrepreneurs, they feared losing control or seeing their business falter without their constant involvement. Together, we navigated options such as delegating responsibilities, automating processes, and restructuring workflows to allow them to take a break without sacrificing the business’s success.
The process wasn’t easy, but in the end, not only did my client’s health improve, their business actually became more efficient, thanks to the new systems and delegation strategies we put in place.
This experience highlighted some mistakes that entrepreneurs make, especially when faced with personal crises. Let’s explore them, as well as and how you can avoid them:
- Ignoring Your Health
One of the most common mistakes entrepreneurs make is neglecting their health. The drive to push through tough times and keep the business going often leads to working longer hours, skipping meals, and sacrificing rest. But ignoring your health isn’t sustainable. Eventually, your body will force you to stop, often at the worst possible time.
It is therefore important to prioritise self-care. Schedule time for exercise, sleep, and mental health breaks just as you would for a meeting or a project deadline. Remember that if you’re not well, your business will eventually suffer. Taking care of your health is not optional—it’s essential.
2. Trying to Do Everything Yourself
Many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of thinking they have to do everything themselves. Whether it’s out of a desire for control or fear that others won’t do the job right, this mindset can quickly lead to burnout. In my client’s case, the fear of stepping back made it hard for them to delegate even when their health was at risk.
It becomes important to learn to delegate. Building a successful business isn’t about doing everything alone—it’s about building a team you can trust to handle responsibilities. Identify key areas of your business where you can delegate tasks to capable team members or hire additional help. Trusting others will free up your time for more strategic decisions and help maintain balance in your personal life.
3. Failing to Build a Strong Support System
Another mistake entrepreneurs make is not having a reliable support system in place. This could be your team, a mentor, peer community or even family and friends who can offer practical help and emotional support. Without a support system, personal crises can feel even more overwhelming, and it becomes harder to step back when you need to.
It is important to surround yourself with people you can rely on—whether it’s a solid team, trusted advisors, belong to a community or even a business coach. Don’t wait until a crisis hits to build these relationships. Cultivate a network of support from the start, so when you need to step away, you’ll have people who can help you keep things running.
4. Not Planning for the Unexpected
Finally, many entrepreneurs make the mistake of not planning for unforeseen events. It’s easy to focus on the day-to-day demands of running a business without thinking about what would happen if you had to step away suddenly. But life is unpredictable, and failing to plan for a personal crisis can put both your business and your well-being at risk.
It pays to put contingency plans in place. This could include creating standard operating procedures (SOPs) for critical processes, cross-training employees, or implementing automated systems that can function with minimal oversight. Ensure that you and your team are prepared for the unexpected, so your business doesn’t come to a halt if you need to take time away.
Entrepreneurship is a rewarding but demanding journey, and personal crises are an inevitable part of life. The key is to avoid these common mistakes - neglecting your health, trying to do everything yourself, failing to build a support system, and not planning for the unexpected. By addressing these areas, you can ensure your business not only survives tough times but flourishes in the long run.
As you reflect on this, have you ever faced a personal crisis while running your business? How did you manage to keep things going? I’d love to hear your thoughts and experiences in the comments below. Let’s continue to support each other as we build businesses—and lives—that are both fulfilling and sustainable.
If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to share it with other entrepreneurs. Together, we can create stronger, healthier businesses and lives.
