Navigating Empathy In Entrepreneurship

Make it stand out

Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

While empathy can be such an asset to entrepreneurship and is a key trait of great leaders, it can also be a fast ticket to burnout if not managed correctly. Over the years in my business, I’ve spent far too many hours on free revisions, said yes to clients that really should’ve been a no, and over-committed to work because I didn’t want to let clients down. If you’re anything like me, you started this entrepreneurial journey to live a more freeing lifestyle — one where you get to decide how to spend your time and how best to run things. But as an empath, it can be so hard to protect your energy in the process and you end up sliding into unhealthy patterns just to please others. So here are some tips to ensure you stay grounded, well-rested and create a spacious business (and life).

01 / Start the day with intention

Whether that means journaling, not looking at your phone or having a special coffee ritual. Get your head right before you jump into work. Personally, I love a good flat white and some fresh air.

02 / Limit client communication times

This of course depends on your industry, but protect your energy and ‘zone of genius’ by offering set times for clients to be able to contact you. We use Calendly and Zoom to set up pre-scheduled client calls and this way we don’t constantly feel ‘on call’. Your time is yours, use it in a way that works for you.

03 / Set firm boundaries and set expectations upfront

Letting your clients know how you like to operate and what to expect from the process results in a seamless process and improved trust. We set and communicate all due dates for both us and our clients to get presentations, content uploads and feedback submitted so there are no surprises.

04 / Don’t overcommit yourself

Build in extra time to give yourself space for when life happens. Our rule of thumb is always to under promise and over deliver. This is also why we limit the number of design intensives and full-service projects that we take on each month.

05 / Take regular breaks, exercise & get outside

This one is so simple but so important. When you get stuck or are stressed, a bit of fresh air and a distraction can work wonders. Exercise is also such a good way to keep the mind and body healthy, so if you are able, find a way to bring movement into your daily routine.

The entrepreneurial journey is hard enough as it is, so give yourself a little grace and make sure you look after yourself in the process.
Head to our Resources page to see a list of tools we use to help keep our business running smoothly and allow for a more spacious life.