Please let me introduce you to Carla Lopez an individual who retired a couple of years ago, but she didn’t lose her entrepreneurial spirit. She created Boomer Biz for retirees like herself who still have a desire to work and achieve. The site is a resource for people in their golden years who want to start their own business or go back to work doing what they love. She reached out and asked to write an article for all of you out there who are starting to plan for retirement, but still are wondering what new possibilities are out there. Enjoy! And please do not forget Self-Care is the Best Care and Your Time is N.O.W.
Closing the doors to your business can affect your emotions, finances, and even mental health. During tough times, every challenge in life can feel even more intimidating. But the reality is, you have options for connecting with support, forging ahead in your career, and taking good care of yourself at the same time.
Consider these ideas for recovery here:
Help Yourself Feel Better
Recovering emotionally and mentally from seeing your dream business shut down can feel like an extreme challenge. So, your first order of post-business is to start feeling better.
Some people avoid self-care because it can feel wasteful or self-indulgent – but that’s sort of the point. You deserve some pampering, and there’s no reason to feel guilty when you spend time exercising or meditating to relax.
Eating better is another helpful piece of the puzzle. Avoiding sugar (and fast food), for example, can improve your mental state. A healthier diet has the added benefit of helping you maintain a healthy body weight, even if you’re investing extra hours at your desk.
Another quick tip to help you feel better ASAP? Start meditating: this calming practice can help you release anxiety and improve your focus almost immediately.
Support Your Business Finances
While there are plenty of options for funding a new business – or saving your existing one – one surefire method of rounding out your finances is picking up a new gig.
Seeking freelance work is a quick way to get back in the professional world – and pad your pockets. Online job boards offer a simple way to see what positions are available and apply for openings. Even short-term work can help you make ends meet and enhance your resume (plus improve your skills).
Get started right away by creating a solid professional profile on the job site of your choice. TopResume points out that fleshing out your LinkedIn profile can also help facilitate new connections – and opportunities.
Of course, though entrepreneurship is attractive for many reasons, after closing a business, you might feel apprehensive about going “big” again. At the same time, your passion and drive might prevent you from wanting to work for a corporation for the rest of your career.
If that’s the case, consider venturing out on your own as a consultant or solopreneur. Being able to hand-pick your clients, set whatever hours you want, and work from home long after pandemic conditions subside might be worth the tradeoff of flying solo.
Plus, if you stick to contractor and freelance relationships with clients or companies, you may be able to avoid the challenges of business registration and other semantics, confirms Nolo.
Explore New Avenues
So one of your business concepts didn’t work out – it happens to 45 percent of businesses within the first five years of opening, notes Investopedia. But like any other part of life, failing at business ownership (even if it’s due to external forces like a global pandemic) presents a learning opportunity.
To avoid the same missteps, be sure to prepare thoroughly. Research your target market, outline a solid roadmap for your business venture, and firm up your financing. Then, remain adaptable when it comes to changes in your business and the economy.
Pursuing an innovative business concept after closing your former company may be just the change you need. But if you need help grounding yourself for a fresher perspective on your new venture, contact Nurturing Our Wellbeing today. With the right support, you can achieve success in every area of your life, professional or otherwise.
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