Isn’t life a beautiful mess? One moment, you’re climbing mountains at a rapid pace, and the next, you’re stuck deep in the valleys—struggling, enduring, and yet, still persisting.

When we hear about success stories, they often involve people overcoming all odds to reach their goals. The journey is never smooth; it involves disappointments, hurdles, and setbacks. The beauty of these narratives is that they are relatable. We all face challenges, and hearing about others who’ve managed to triumph despite theirs often gives us the courage to keep pushing.

But what if amidst the juggling act of various roles like that of a mother, wife, daughter, or entrepreneur, you’re presented with another daunting challenge — a chronic illness? Would it bring your journey to a screeching halt, or would you keep pushing?

Meet Natalie Suppes, an embodiment of strength and resilience, who gracefully and realistically addresses this very question in her empowering podcast, Sick and Successful.

Natalie’s Strategies: A Guide to Empowerment

Natalie’s journey is guided by a set of key strategies that not only fostered her success but also helped others dealing with similar complexities manage their time effectively, handle their professional and personal commitments, and still thrive. Here’s how:

Time Management

A practical and efficient approach to time management is crucial for handling multiple responsibilities. Natalie emphasizes breaking down tasks into manageable chunks and prioritizing them in terms of importance.

To effectively manage time, we need to:

• Prioritize Tasks: All tasks are not created equal. Some tasks are absolutely essential, others may be important but not urgent, some may be secondary, and others may not require your attention at all. Understand the differences for better time allocation.
• Set Realistic Goals: We often overestimate what can be achieved within a specific timeframe. Setting realistic goals takes into account the time required for rest, health treatments, and unexpected interruptions.

• Time Blocking: Allocating specific blocks of time for different types of work (deep focus work, administrative tasks, meetings and communications, self-care, and rest) can decrease the cognitive load of constant switching and increase productivity.
• Eliminate Nonessential Activities: Time is precious. It’s vital to scrutinize our routines and eliminate nonessential activities or habitual time wasters—those tasks that don’t contribute to our goals and well-being.
• Optimize Rest and Work Periods: Any health issue requires a balance between rest and work. Without adequate rest, no amount of time management can keep us from heading towards burnout. Natalie pointed out this balance by allocating dedicated rest periods within her schedule.
• Use Tools: There are various calculators, apps, and tools (like Google Calendar, Todoist, Evernote, Trello, etc.) that can help manage time better. Using a time management tool you are comfortable with can provide structure and reminders.

In Natalie’s case, these time management practices transformed how she managed her business and her health. It redefined the essence of her operational proficiency, impacting her journey positively. By managing her time wisely, Natalie could continue to lead her business while addressing her health needs.

Delegating and Outsourcing

Recognizing that you can’t do it all alone is essential to maintaining balance. Many business owners are caught in the trap of doing it all themselves, but learning to delegate effectively can be a game-changer.

This process involves:

1. Identifying tasks that can be done by another person. These might be tasks that are time-consuming but don’t require your specific skill set or expertise.
2. Identifying the right person for the task, someone who possesses the required skill set and can perform effectively.
3. Clearly communicating the task, deadline, and expected outcome to the person assigned.
4. Checking the work done and providing feedback where necessary.

Delegation is not about relinquishing all responsibility — you’re still accountable for the tasks you’ve delegated but it frees up time and mental resources to focus on strategic decisions and essential business management tasks.

Outsourcing, on the other hand, refers to hiring external individuals or companies to handle certain aspects of your business. Outsourcing necessitates:

1. Identifying specific functions that can be managed externally.
2. Evaluating potential service providers to ensure they are reliable and competent.
3. Creating and signing contracts that clearly define roles, expectations, deliverables, and terms of service.
4. Regularly reviewing the performance of the outsourced function to ensure quality and value.

Outsourcing can be a valuable strategy for small business owners. Besides freeing up time, it provides access to expert services and knowledge that may not be available internally.

For Natalie, learning to delegate and outsource was integral to maintaining a successful business while managing her health. By assigning various tasks and roles to capable team members or hiring external help when needed, Natalie was able to ensure that her business kept running efficiently while preserving her energy to focus on her well-being.

Building a Supportive Network

Develop a circle of care around you, both on a personal and professional level. A network of support will make the challenging times more manageable and will celebrate your victories with you.  For someone dealing with health obstacles like Natalie, having a network of supportive people to rely on can make the journey less stressful and more manageable.

This supportive network can include:

• Family and Friends: The support of loved ones can be incredibly comforting during challenging times. They can provide much-needed emotional support, encouragement, and practical help, such as running errands, lending an ear to listen, and spending time together.
• Professional Associates: This can include colleagues, business partners, employees, or others in your industry. Aside from offering a different perspective on work-based challenges, these individuals can sometimes step in or offer advice to help balance business demands with health needs.
• Mentors and Coaches: They are individuals with more experience or expertise who can provide guidance, advice, and encouragement. Their wealth of knowledge about life or business can be a vital asset in navigating challenges.
• Support Groups: These are gatherings (whether in-person or online) of individuals facing similar challenges. As Natalie discovered while dealing with her Crohn’s disease, a support group can provide a sense of community and understanding, practical advice, and genuine empathy, as all members are going through similar struggles.
• Healthcare Providers: Your doctors, nurses, therapists, or counselors play crucial roles in providing professional help and advising realistic considerations when balancing health challenges with everyday life.

Adapting Your Business Model

Be open to adapting your business model to suit your needs in various stages of your life. Flexibility can be the key to keeping your business thriving.

Here are some manifestations of this adaptation:

• Remote Work: In some cases, health issues may limit your physical mobility or make it challenging to maintain a regular office routine. Therefore, setting up systems for remote work can allow you to function effectively from anywhere. This might involve using project management tools, video conferencing software, and secure cloud storage.
• Flexible Hours: Traditional nine-to-five working hours may no longer be feasible when dealing with health issues. Adapting your business model might mean introducing flexible working hours for yourself and potentially your employees. This flexibility allows for a balance between work demands, medical appointments, treatment periods, and necessary rest times.
• Utilizing Technology: Consider adopting digital technologies more extensively in your business. This could include setting up online sales platforms, using AI chatbots to handle customer inquiries, or leveraging social media for marketing.
• Automating Processes: Tools and software that automate routine tasks can hugely benefit businesses. They can handle everything from scheduling social media posts to tracking customer interactions, thereby saving time and reducing stress levels.

For Natalie, adapting her business model was a critical aspect of managing her health challenges while continuing to successfully run her business. This strategy allowed her business to continue to operate efficiently and effectively, even during the most challenging times.

Developing a Resilient Mindset

Mental strength plays a significant role in managing the stress of entrepreneurship and illness. Cultivating resilience by learning to see setbacks as opportunities for growth is essential.

To develop a resilient mindset, consider these key factors:

• Acceptance of Reality: Resilience starts with acceptance of your current situation and understanding that life will present obstacles. By accepting that health issues may come up, you can better prepare and plan your response.
• Positive Thinking: Focus on what’s going well and the progress you’re making, despite the challenges you’re facing. By concentrating on the positives and celebrating small victories, you begin to build a more optimistic mindset.
• Adaptability: Embrace change and be willing to adapt your approach or strategy based on new information and circumstances. Resilient individuals can shift gears and keep moving forward, even if it means changing direction.
• Seeking Help: Being resilient doesn’t mean going it alone. Utilize your network of friends, family, colleagues, and mentors to gain valuable advice, encouragement, and support. Their insights can help you gain a fresh perspective or uncover new solutions to challenges.
• Setting Boundaries: Know your limits and set boundaries for yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. This includes respecting your body’s need for rest, acknowledging when you’re feeling overwhelmed, and setting boundaries in personal and professional relationships.
• Self-Care: Prioritize taking care of your well-being. This includes practices like eating well, exercising, getting plenty of rest, and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation. By nurturing yourself, you’ll have the energy to face challenges head-on.

For Natalie and anyone else facing health or other challenges, cultivating resilience is crucial to maintaining a healthy work-life balance and thriving in business and life. By developing a resilient mindset, you increase your ability to face adversity with strength, wisdom, and a positive mindset, no matter what the future holds.

Seeking Professional Help

Seek the appropriate professional help, such as healthcare professionals and business consultants, to ensure you’re operating at your best in all areas of your life.

Here’s how to seek professional help:

1. Identify Your Needs: Understand your situation — your health condition, the impact on your life and work, and the areas you need help with.
2. Find the Right Professionals: Look for experienced and reputable professionals. Verify their credentials, ask for recommendations, or read reviews to ensure you choose competent individuals.
3. Communicate Clearly: Explain your situation and expectations to these professionals. Adequate and open communication ensures they understand your needs and can provide the help you need.
4. Implement their Advice: Put into practice the advice or guidance they provide. Monitor results, give feedback, and continue to work with them for improvements.

For Natalie, seeking professional help in managing her health and business challenges was a crucial factor in her continued success. These professionals helped her balance her personal needs with her business goals, ensuring she could manage her health while still running her business effectively.

Embracing Your Own Journey

Your path to a fulfilling, successful life, even with a chronic illness, is within reach. Are you ready to unlock your own potential, face inherent challenges, and still come out victorious? 

Start your journey to success by exploring S&S Creative and their inspiring Sick and Successful Podcast. Join the community of like-minded individuals who are empowering themselves to unlock their full potential, no matter what life throws their way!

Remember, it’s possible to be both sick and successful. So, are you ready to write your own success story?