Managing the Five Types of Flexibility in Entrepreneurship
In case you haven’t already gotten the memo, being an entrepreneur is hard. Yet in this post-pandemic world, we’re seeing an increase in professionals leaving their day jobs to start a business, without the promise of prosperity.
As you encounter risks and roadblocks along the way, you have to navigate the challenges of being an entrepreneur with ease and flexibility if you want to succeed. This includes being flexible in your business model to accommodate the needs of your ideal clients.
Nachole Johnson, MSN, FNP-BC, author, and founder of ReNursing Edu recently took some time out of her day to chat with me about her business and working with nurse entrepreneurs. Comparing different business models to fast-food chains, she mentions that it doesn’t matter if there are similar business models out there–Wendy’s, McDonald’s, and Burger King all sell hamburgers, but the competition hasn’t stopped them from achieving success.
Everyone’s business is unique, and being an entrepreneur requires constant innovation and flexibility. No matter if your business is distinct, or a dime a dozen, if you exercise flexibility you can make it as an entrepreneur.
The following are five types of flexibility that entrepreneurs need to understand in order to make it in the business world.
- Physical Flexibility– Physical flexibility is so much more than how limber you are. Physical flexibility includes how you manage stress, and taking care of health and wellness while starting a business.
- Pro Tip: Get up and move at least 10 minutes every hour to give your mind and body a break from the physical stress of entrepreneurship.
- Cognitive Flexibility– Cognitive flexibility refers to how you consider new ideas and strategies for growing your business. There are a million ways to solve a problem, developing cognitive flexibility can I help you find the best way to solve complicated problems that arise when starting a business.
- Pro Tip: Stretch your brain by developing new skills and hobbies that exercise your cognitive abilities.
- Financial Flexibility– Managing your income and expenses is a valuable skill that will help you in your personal life, and when starting a business.
- Pro Tip: Work on saving up money in a financial reserve. This can give you flexibility when it comes to taking time off, turning down projects that aren’t a good fit, and emergency situations.
- Emotional Flexibility– Emotional flexibility is related to resilience and how we deal with complicated scenarios as business owners. Emotional flexibility includes the full range of emotions that we experience in life, including how to set boundaries and creating a healthy work-life balance.
- Pro Tip– If you struggle with emotional flexibility it may be beneficial to visit a therapist that can help you work through your emotions and set healthy boundaries in your business and personal life.
- Time Flexibility– Time flexibility is an important part of being an entrepreneur. This includes how to structure your calendar and allowing for autonomy and independence during your workday.
- Pro-Tip: If you can’t find time for yourself and/or your loved ones, schedule it into your calendar to ensure that you get the downtime you deserve.
When it comes down to it, the uncharted path of being a successful entrepreneur has a lot less to do with your passion, and a lot more to do with your flexibility. If you’re struggling with flexibility as an entrepreneur, take active steps to develop flexibility skills so you can best manage the challenges of entrepreneurship.
“Stay committed to your decisions, but stay flexible in your approach.” – Tony Robbins
If you want to listen to my Podcast episode with Nachole Johnson, click here