Entrepreneurs’ well-being requires the right attitude and the right choices
Press release 25/2016, 16th May 2016, Helsinki, Finland
It is important that entrepreneurs recognize the things that maintain their well-being and the things that pose risks or cause strain. The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) published a TOP10 tips list to help entrepreneurs evaluate their own practices from the perspective of keeping up their work ability and health.
Several factors affect small and sole entrepreneurs’ ability to cope at work. These may be physical, psychological, social, or economic; such as sufficient sleep, regular mealtimes, physical fitness, balance between work and leisure time, support and encouragement, and how well their business is doing. Different work has different demands, but the basic principles are the same for most small and sole entrepreneurs. The aim of FIOH’s TOP10 tips is to raise entrepreneurs’ awareness of the things that affect their work ability, and to awaken discussion on entrepreneurs’ use of time, their competences and balance in their lives.
– Entrepreneurs should prepare themselves to face the challenges and joys of entrepreneurship. When you recognize the things that cause demands, risks and strain in your own sector, you are able to more effectively take them into account. You are able to cope with work better when you remember to take care of your most important capital – yourself, says Anne Salmi, Senior Specialist at FIOH.
Taking care of yourself is not selfishness: it is an investment in your future
The information sheet helps entrepreneurs think about ways in which they can increase both their own and their company’s resources and in this way improve their ability to cope at work and as an entrepreneur. It is good to have plans in place for different situations and to carry out risk analyses. It is also important to be fair to yourself as well as others; no-one should be asked to do the impossible. Your own body’s fitness is also a significant indicator of your work ability.
– Entrepreneurs don’t always recognize the physical demands or possible stressful situations of their own work. The everyday hustle and bustle of work often makes us forget to take care of the things that help us cope. Have we at any point been given guidance on safe, ergonomic work habits? Are we only in contact with OHS when we are sick? asks Occupational Health Psychologist at FIOH, Heli Hannonen.
Network, outsource, delegate
You don’t have to do everything yourself, say the experts. Mutual help among entrepreneurs is essential, and fluent co-operation and a good spirit within a team helps you overcome many problematic situations.
A company’s work ability can be evaluated by, for example, examining price levels, invoicing practices, work flow, and whether the company up to date, with its finger on the pulse.
Further information
Anne Salmi, Senior Specialist, FIOH, tel. +358 43 824 1342, anne.salmi[at]ttl.fi
Nina Nevanperä, Researcher, FIOH, tel. +358 43 824 3247, nina.nevanpera[at]ttl.fi
Heli Hannonen, Occupational Health Psychologist, tel. +358 30 474 6114, heli.hannonen[at]ttl.fi
Links:
TOP 10 tips – Fact Sheet online www.ttl.fi/en/publications/fact_sheet/Documents/FS33_Cornerstones_of_work_ability.pdf
Media Services
Kristiina Kulha, Head of Communications
FIOH, Helsinki
Tel. +358 30 474 2551, +358 40 548 6914,
kristiina.kulha[at]ttl.fi
Tiina Kaksonen, Communications Assistant
FIOH, Oulu
Tel. +358 30 474 3015, +358 50 364 3158
tiina.kaksonen[at]ttl.fi
The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health (FIOH) researches, develops and specializes in well-being at work. It promotes occupational health and safety and the well-being of workers. It is an independent institution under public law, working under the administrative sector of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health. FIOH has six regional offices, and its headquarters are in Helsinki. Fifty per cent of its funding comes from the state budget.
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