A recent Gallup Poll shows that the people who consider themselves most physically healthy in the U.S. are entrepreneurs.
In the poll reported Oct. 2, 2014, entrepreneurs were more likely than other workers to consider themselves significantly more thriving in three out of five areas of well-being:
- Thriving in purpose, 51 percent of all entrepreneurs versus 44 percent of other workers
- In social well-being, 50 percent to 48 percent of other workers
- In financial well-being, 54 versus 51 percent
- In community, 55 versus 50 percent
- And finally, in physical health, 55 percent entrepreneurs said they were thriving versus 45 percent of other workers – a 9 percentage point difference!
Although all self-employed business people rated themselves as having better physical health on average than other workers, 62 percent of women entrepreneurs considered themselves physically healthy compared with 46 percent of self-employed businessmen and 48 percent of other female workers.
This study follows up a 2012 Gallup finding that having your own business in the U.S. also corresponds with a decreased incidence of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.
The 2012 study found that self employed people were more likely to exercise at least three days a week, eat at least five servings of fruit and vegetables daily, refrain from smoking and choose a healthy diet.
What’s my take on all this?
I have owned my own business for the past 21 years.
When you run your own show, it becomes obvious to you very quickly that your ability to work at a high level has a direct correspondence with how well you take care of yourself.
Simply put, you can’t enjoy high energy unless and until you are taking great care of yourself.
The higher your level of personal self care, the greater your vitality and the deeper your impact on your business, your customers, your clients and the world around you.
Although these facts are true even if you work for a corporation, when you run your own business – whether it’s small or large – you take personal responsibility for providing for yourself and your family.
The 2012 Gallup study showed that entrepreneurs enjoyed better health even though 1 in 4 of them lacked health insurance and were more likely to struggle to afford health care or medicine.
The common denominator in being a very healthy person and a very successful business owner is personal responsibility.
Healthy people know they can’t delegate their food choices or regular exercise. You choose what you put into your mouth and whether or not you put on your sneakers, roll out your yoga mat or drive yourself to an exercise class.
Wealthy people recognize the balance between income and outgoing expenses and find the balance.
In short, what makes you wealthy is the same mindset as what makes you healthy.
As for me, I can’t even begin to compare my health and wealth over the past 21 years running my own company than in 12 years previous to that where I worked for other people.
If you have been pondering whether or not you would be happier or healthier if you started your own business, more than likely the answer is YES!