This article is submitted by Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO, SBTV.com. Submit an article today.

The stress of growing your business can take its toll. That’s why it's important to take care of you. Stress is the number one cause of illness in our country. Learning how to manage your stress level is not only a smart decision, but it's also critically important for your business success. When you are stressed or not feeling well, your motivation level drops. Your judgment and decision making can become impaired. Certainly, emotions can quickly escalate resulting in irrational behavior or fits of anger.

Be realistic about what you expect of yourself and don't over commit. Learn to say "no" and really mean it. Before you say yes to something make sure it is the appropriate use of your time and resources. Remember, there are only so many hours in a day, and no matter how hard you try you can't change that. You should manage your time and plan ahead so your schedule can accommodate time to focus on your personal well-being. If you don't, you'll burn out, and so will your business.

Try scheduling time during the week that is just for you to do something you really enjoy. For example, a woman recently told me she leaves her office once a week to take a piano lesson. The lesson and her practice time during the week forces her to think about something entirely different than her business challenges. As a result, it helps her feel refreshed and more creative.

Elizabeth Kekrney, CEO of the California-based Kekrney & Associates: The Experts Alliance suggests calendaring your personal time. "I just decide what amount of time I am going to need, and I actually put it on my calendar. Now that may sound stupid, but I write it down. I flex it if I need to, but if I don't put it down I won't even get to a party that I am planning on attending," she explains.

Julie Fogg, CEO of Active Port, a full-service reseller of converged telephone systems, says she has learned how important it is to keep her health and happiness as her two top priorities. She signed up for a fitness boot camp five days a week starting at 5:30 a.m. and sees a nutritionist regularly. "I have so much more energy now that I am careful about what I eat and I participate in group exercise. My health was affecting Active Port, so I will never neglect that area of my life again."

Discover what works best for you, but make a commitment to yourself and your business that taking care of you is as important as caring and nurturing your business growth.

This article is submitted by Susan Wilson Solovic, CEO, SBTV.com. SBTV is the first television network on the web devoted 100 percent to the small business market - from business start-ups to established enterprises. Founded in 2000, SBTV is becoming the number one choice for small business information on the net.

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