Five Self-Help Tips for Digi-Art Business Owners
In your digi-scrap businesses who’s the primary worker? You? Are you taking care of you the way you should? If you aren’t up for the job – then the job doesn’t get done. So taking care of the business owner and main worker is of the utmost importance! This article focuses on one basic, but very important aspect of any professional digital scrapbook business. That is - taking care of the employee who makes the business work.
Making a Habit of Taking Care of You
For many people this is an area they are slacking off. Not just by a little either. Taking care of this most important employee usually means personally adopting new habits associated with your digital scrapbooking activities. Habits that will increase your personal worth and your business bottom line!
1. Respect You and Your Time
One of these habits would be to establish and then keep as close as possible to a set schedule of when you plan to work at your desk, when you’ll do research, when you’ll work on marketing or special projects, etc. If you have a limited number of minutes while baby naps or only an hour before you need to run the kids off to school and rush off to your fulltime job, then it’s important that you use that time wisely. Recognize what time limitations you have and then find a way to make that time as productive as possible. Developing and keeping a set schedule will help you accomplish this. It will also help your family recognize work and home life boundaries and restrictions you may have for your time.
2. Massage Your Brain
Grab extra training. In any career field continual training is not just helpful, but it’s usually required if you intend to stay up to date with the most current trends, industry changes, and to keep your skill level set for greatest growth potential. You can never learn too much. Anything you can add to your credentials is an excellent way to add to your credibility as a professional. Remember that the artistic side of our business isn’t the only piece to consider. Also look into business training, website construction or maintenance, tax and legal knowledge, marketing, and other aspects of your business. Training related to your business is tax deductible and if you pick up some of your training through books (and I hope that you do), these too are tax deductible.
3. Tend to Your Physical Needs
Sitting at a computer for too many hours can create several health issues. Prolonged hours at a monitor can be a strain to your eyes. Keyboard and mouse movements can tax your wrist and hand muscles. Even with a good chair and great posture you can still experience back, shoulder, and neck soreness. So it’s important to get regular exercise. I encourage you to spend at least 30-minutes exercising each day. Whether that’s taking a walk around the block, an aerobic workout at the gym or with a video taped coach, or practicing Yoga techniques – just be sure to get some exercise time in. Digi-scrappers are notorious for working far too many hours at the keyboard without a break. Be wise and give yourself a break from the desk at least once every hour. Every 30-minutes or so would be even better.
4. Socialize and Network
Let’s face it, digi-scrapping can sometimes be a lonely activity. If you run a solo-business and the other people in your family and friendship circles don’t really get it, then you’re more likely to find yourself hibernating at your desk and not associating with others. A business association can be the perfect place to bounce ideas around, interact with other professionals, gain extra knowledge and make new contact with prospective customers too! Consider online as well as offline outlets for this – like your local chamber of commerce or other business groups.
5. Look Inside and Relax
Whether a person is of a particular faith or not, everyone has a spiritual side to them. Be sure to take time out for personal reflection, meditation, and sitting in silence. This is good for the soul. Good for the mind. Good for the body.
Remember to cut out of work a bit early on Fridays occassionally too. 
Taking some much needed down time is a must for any entrepreneur! Weekends help us renew our strength.
Habitually Care
Are there other habits you have developed for taking care of you? Habits that other Digi-Scrap Professionals may find helpful? Please share them with us so we can all make a habit of taking care of ourselves as we continue to take care of our business.
Article by:
Cindy Angiel (aka PaintChip)
Business Consultant
DSD-Professionals.com
