“I am so busy” is a perpetual state of being for most entrepreneurs. Any given day, your to-do list never seems to end. In the middle of all this, we sometimes forget the most important thing — ourselves. Taking care of one’s health, be it physical or mental, is not optional — it’s something we have to make time for. We know what to do: eat well, exercise, take time off — but actually doing it is hard. I struggle every day with it. Starting POPxo was fun; I love my job. But I am on the go 20 x 7! Oftentimes, a social encounter turns into a business meeting, just as easily as a luncheon can morph into a funding pitch. Here are some of the things I try to practise; they work for me!
Exercise — it’s not negotiable!
For me the perfect day begins with an hour spent at the gym, first thing in the morning. Before the kids wake up, before everything. That way I know it’s done. It’s a wonderful feeling to accomplish one goal as soon as you wake up. I am at my best when the endorphins carry me through the day. And a bonus? I eat well all day as I don’t want to undo the hard work at the gym! Studio60 (run by the awesome Zoe Modgill) is my gym, it’s very close to home - all I have to do is wake up and get there - Zoe and her team of trainers take care of the rest.
Eat right and don’t skip meals
You are what you eat - literally! A little planning goes a long way. Keep healthy snacks at work and a list of healthy places to order from handy. Have a list of what you will not eat, and try to stick to it. For me it’s refined carbs and sugar. A cheat meal is fine - it’s about eating well at least 80% of the time. And hydrate - drink lots of water!
Power dressing can still be comfortable
I take the guesswork out of what to wear in the morning. I have a few outfits that I rotate and can pull out without having to think about it. Work-wear by Bodice is my go-to: they have easy breathable fabrics, comfortable but sharp cuts. I stick to a colour palette: white, blue, grey, black and reds, and everything is mix and match! Footwear at work for me is sneakers, so I can stay on the move. I keep a change at office, a pair of heels and accessories, as well as a makeup kit for when I need to step out.
Stay on the move!
We lead sedentary lives, chained to computers all day. Taking a short break to move about is essential. The POPxo office is spread over 3 floors in Delhi’s Hauz Khas Village. I always take the stairs and try and do 10k steps every day. I wear a Fitbit to keep track. Now that the weather is getting better (although the air pollution is bad!) I like to do walking meetings around the village. It gets you out of the office and they are quite productive. I want to start exercise classes at work - anything that keeps me any my team moving! Posture matters. I am always working on mine. I try and do a Pilates class once a week.
Take care of YOU!
Do one thing you love everyday. Listen to your favourite music. Eat your favourite meal. Watch your favourite show. To have better health, well-being and productivity, you need to reward yourself with things that you absolutely love. Not only does it make you smile more, it is the biggest motivator and the cheapest therapy.
Invest in relationships
We develop tunnel vision as entrepreneurs. It becomes all about work and we forget the important things. Spend time with family and friends. Switch off. Invest in relationships. Running your business is tough and lonely. Build networks you can trust. They will keep you going when the going gets tough -- as it invariably will.
Pace yourself!
Think of your entrepreneurship journey as a marathon, not a sprint. It’s one of the most rewarding journeys to be on. Prioritise, plan and measure - hold yourself and your team accountable, but remember you have to do this for a long time. I make lots of lists and try to tick them off. It gives a feeling of accomplishment and it also makes everything seem possible!
Priyanka Gill is Founder and CEO of POPxo, a digital media company and is a recipient of the FICCI Women’s Achiever's Award
