Small Business RX: What To Do When Your Brain Calls In Sick

Ever have one of those days where no matter how hard you try, your brain just won’t cooperate?

You can’t seem to focus for more than a nano-second.

Any attempt to “force” concentration results in a circular thought loop that concludes either your brain is broken or you’re a total loser…or likely, both.

You certainly can’t write anything cohesive or get anything substantial done.

Add to that, the ticking clock haunting the background of your mind… as though father time himself is begging you,”For heaven’s sake, get something productive done today . . .”

Oy. I’m intimately familiar with those days. And boy do they suck. Big time.

Figuring I’m not alone on this one, I thought it’d be useful to share some of my favorite ways to move my business ahead when my brain calls in sick.

1.  Connect with your clients.

Call them for no reason other than to check in.  See what’s cookin’.  Let them know you appreciate them and find out what else you can do to help.

In the new economy, people who have the strongest personal connections with their clients will not only survive, but make lots of money and have a great time doing it.

And from a business strategy lens, it’s a lot more expensive to find new customers than it is to take really, really good care of your current ones and turn them into lifelong fans.

Want to know my favorite part of this strategy?

Every time I talk with my clients, I get reconnected to why I’m in business in the first place, which is to change lives and make a difference.

2.  Move your bod.  (dance, yoga, run, nookie, whatever)

Our bodies contain waaaay more business wisdom, creativity and insight than we can possibly imagine.

And when our brain decides to call in sick, it’s a big fat hint we need to switch gears. Like immediately.

There’s undeniable magic that’s accessed through exercise that simply cannot be accessed any other way.

The brain chemicals released during exercise such as serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and endorphins, are a slam-dunk productivity and confidence cocktail – without the hangover.

You won’t get that from a Red Bull and vodka.

(Take it from the Jersey girl. I’ve tried!)

And best of all, these natural highs are proven to improve mental alertness, perception and information processing.

3.  Give back.

This is one of the best ways to reboot your brain, especially when calls in sick from a “pity party” bender.

Nothing kicks you back to reality faster than realizing what a little biaatch you’ve been complaining about your creative “dry spell” when almost half the world – over three billion people – live on less than $2.50 a day.

What’s more, according to the Women’s Funding Network, 70% of people living in poverty around the world are women and children.

Bad ass organizations like Kiva.org get your brain back on the wagon with a few clicks and as little as $25 bucks. Kiva is a microlending site with a 98.04% repayment rate.  When your money comes back, you can either withdraw it, or lend again (recommended).

Crazy awesome, right? It’s basically recycling money to end poverty and change the world while you get the side benefit of brain rehab and an instant workout for your abundance muscles.

(I’ve set up a lending team in Kiva for this very reason and I’d love you to join us. For real. Do it now. I’ll be here when you get back.)

4.  Connect and contribute.

Choose five people you admire and connect and contribute to them. Write a thoughtful comment on their blog. Reply to a post on their Facebook page. Give them a shout out on Twitter. Write them an old fashion letter and mail it. (bonus points for this one!) Buy their stuff.  Let them know how it’s helped you. Support what they’re doing and who they are.

Success in any industry is sooooo tied to who you know, you knows you, and most importantly, who loves ya. And the most organic and authentic way to increase your network is to consciously contribute to those whom you admire and want to be connected to.

Bottom line? Business growth is all about spreading the love. And recent studies have shown that when your brain calls in sick, your heart will do just fine running the show.

OK. I’ve shown you mine and I think it’s only fair you show me yours. Got thoughts or ideas on this? What do you do to keep your biz rockin’ when your brain calls in sick?