Health Emergency! Will Your Business Survive?

We’ve all heard the expression ‘life is short’ and use it as a reason to forge ahead with our plans.

Why is it, when tragedy strikes someone else, we never seem to think it could happen to us? That is until a health emergency or some other crisis happens to us personally.

The odds are great that it WILL happen – and when it does – will your business survive?

Recently, this scenario hit very close to home when my best friend of 44 years suffered a brain bleed/stroke while on the road for business.

One moment she's a vibrant, active and healthy woman; the next, she's is stuck in rehab for four months with no mobility. Thankfully, she does still have some cognitive ability.

So many times we talked about this type of scenario on our Saturday morning calls? But even though both of us are very smart women, neither one of us really thought it would ever happen to “me”.

The problem is…it did happen.

Now that was very sobering.

I tell you all this because this could happen to you!

Since I received the news of her health care crisis, I’ve thought about what items are critical in the life of an entrepreneur – especially if an emergency was to happen to any of us.

I suggest there are three areas you need to work on immediately.

Create or Update Your Will and Your Personal Health Directive

Don’t put this off!

If you don’t have a will or personal health directive – GET ONE! If you already have one, take a moment to review it and make sure it is current. With the variety of easy options to get this completed, just do it. Trust me – this is important.

Add a Second Signatory on Your Bank Account

Many times my girlfriend and I talked about this. Being solopreneurs, we do everything in our business including running our bank account. The question you need to ask yourself is, “what happens if you get sick or injured?” Your business needs to continue running even after you are incapacitated. Get this done as soon as possible.

Fortify Your Relationships

I take pride in staying close to family and friends. For instance, when I lived on the West Coast, every Saturday morning my girlfriend and I would meet for breakfast. After I moved, we continued to connect every Saturday – no matter where we were – via phone. Over the years, she has been my rock, my shoulder to cry on, and much, much more. I can’t imagine life without her in it.

Don’t let “busy”ness be an excuse to forgo relationships. Keep those dinner or coffee dates with your friends. Pick up the phone and call your family today – don’t wait for the next holiday to reach out.

Connect Today

Remember, life IS short, and it’s not all about business. Get your house in order now, so when a crisis does happen, you and your business are ready.

Soon, I’ll be heading to Toronto for my annual 3-day event. Believe me I’ll be jumping on a plane to sneak in a visit with her – to hug her, to smile with her, and to tell her I love her.

What about you? Which of the three areas will you take care of today?