If you read this title and have an adverse visceral reaction, I get it. Please read on before deciding that this is yet another example of toxic positivity. I am not suggesting that, as a caregiver, you have the time, energy, or motivation to embark on an entrepreneurial expedition. Actually, that is exactly what I am suggesting, but with the caveat that I recognize you are already in the middle of an expedition that requires tremendous stamina. I am advocating for your well-being by asking if starting a business, writing a book, or switching careers is something you have considered but always concluded it was never the right time.
What if you pursued this spark of an idea for five minutes each day? You might spend those five minutes writing a business plan or researching how to write a business plan. You might outline your book or write the chapter titles. Watch a YouTube video. You could look up online courses that would prepare you for a career change. Doctor’s office waiting room time could even become something you look forward to.
Learning curve around every corner
In caregiving, there is a learning curve around every corner. It is understandable to hesitate to explore new options when constantly in new territory as a caregiver. It may be daunting to add more learning, so breaking it into small pieces can be less intimidating and even motivating. Just starting the process and devoting a few minutes a day is self-care, and it will help you feel like you are growing rather than stagnant. Feel like you are in control of your future, which can feel completely out of your control due to the unknown duration and confines of caregiving. To minimize the overwhelm, you can organize your ideas into buckets or files according to when the task or project might rise to the priority surface: one month, three months, one year, etc.
It can be painful to think about our future beyond caregiving, a future where our family member will no longer be with us. Focusing on the immediate challenges can be easier, but besides emotional benefits, there are practical reasons to pursue your passions and prepare for life post-caregiving. Returning to the workforce after spending several years away is not always practical. In fact, it may not be possible to return to the level of responsibility you left. Or, time away may have changed your view of your work and its place in your life. We are all on a journey to the same destination, and helping someone further along that path has a way of changing our perspective on life and how we want to live it.
Leverage your expanded skillset
If this resonates, you may be open to changing directions and setting course on a newly formed future using your expanded skillset. You enter your caregiving journey with life and work skills. Your skillset expands as you assume increasingly more caregiving responsibilities, and the experience intensifies. These assets become transferable skills that can help you build your business. Caregivers often excel in communication, having honed the ability to convey complex information with empathy. This skill is invaluable in professional settings.
You have undoubtedly become adept at juggling caregiving demands, project management, and practicing exceptional time management. Caregiving involves constant problem-solving and adapting to unforeseen challenges. This ability translates seamlessly to entrepreneurship, which requires us to resolve issues effectively and navigate change with resilience. Collaborating with healthcare professionals, family members, and other caregivers enhances teamwork skills. Combining caregiving experiences with pre-existing entrepreneurial vision can lead to innovative business ideas. For example, you may have identified gaps in the market and potential solutions. What existing professional connections can provide support, mentorship, and potential collaborations?
Suppose you possess pre-caregiving marketing and branding skills. These skills can be repurposed for your business venture to create a compelling brand identity and effectively market products or services. Here are some reasons why caring for a family member is a great time to start a business.
Benefits of starting a business while caregiving:
Flexible Schedule: Entrepreneurship allows for a flexible schedule, accommodating the unpredictable demands of caregiving. This flexibility enables you to balance your responsibilities effectively.
Outlet for Creativity: Starting a business can serve as a creative outlet, offering a constructive way to channel energy and ideas. Refocusing energy can be particularly therapeutic during moments of stress or chaos.
Financial Independence: Building a business provides an opportunity for financial independence. It opens doors to additional income streams and the potential for long-term financial stability, easing some financial burdens that may arise during caregiving.
Sense of Purpose: Building and managing a business can instill a renewed sense of purpose and contribute to a feeling of accomplishment and purpose, which can be uplifting during challenging times.
Community Connection: Starting a business often involves connecting with a community of like-minded individuals. As a caregiver, you are meeting new people and can use the opportunity to network and share your work. Two or three sentences and a business card can plant the seeds that lead to growth. Outreach can create a supportive network that understands the unique challenges of caregiving and entrepreneurship.
Adaptability Skills: Managing a business during caregiving hones adaptability skills. Learning to navigate both personal and professional challenges strengthens one’s ability to adapt to various situations, a valuable skill in any aspect of life.
Ignite your spark and calm the chaos
Considering the chaos that we experience during caregiving, the act of building a business becomes a beacon of stability and progress. It transforms a potentially overwhelming period into a time of resilience, growth, and the creation of something lasting.
If you are still reading this article, I suspect you have an idea that deserves exploring and I would love to discuss the highlights and the challenges. I started Sustainable Caregiving while caring for Dad. I wrote and published Navigating the Caregiver River: A Journey to Sustainable Caregiving and gathered what I learned to help others transform their passion into a business or a book. Like Sustainable Caregiving, my latest endeavor, Wandering Digital Media, was inspired by the desire to help fellow family caregivers confidently navigate their journey. My mission has expanded to include authors and entrepreneurs whose purpose and passion is to help others navigate life’s journey by sharing an insightful or inspiring message.