'Entrepreneurial success is not a coincidence, but a result of attention'

On Entrepreneur's Day, Director Bas Tomassen of Zorg van de Zaak emphasizes the importance of the personal energy of entrepreneurs. "Your own vitality predicts the vitality of your business," he said.

Enthusiasm and pitfalls

The power of entrepreneurship is contagious enthusiasm, believes director Bas Tomassen of corporate health network Zorg van de Zaak. "Entrepreneurs believe in their business and are bursting with energy. That entrepreneurial spirit is essential to get your customers and employees excited. That's why it's important for entrepreneurs to keep recharging their batteries."

On Entrepreneur's Day, therefore, he calls special attention to working vitally as an executive. There is a lot involved in running a business, Tomassen knows. "Most of the day you are busy with your business," he says. "It happens to me quite often that I sit down at home for dinner and my mind is still occupied with ongoing matters at work."

Attention leads to success

Sometimes he still handles unanswered emails from the day at the dinner table, he says. "That's a shame; before you know it, you're living alongside each other as a family," he says. "I know plenty of examples of entrepreneurs who lost their family and friends along the way to business success. I am increasingly aware of how important it is to actually be somewhere with all my attention when I am there."

His motto: entrepreneurial success is not a coincidence, but the result of attention. "Avoid standing alone by also paying attention to your surroundings," he says. "How we handle our work can promote or hinder our personal well-being and that of our family."

Find sparring partners

Also, talk to your employees regularly and delve into their well-being. "Show genuine interest. How are they doing? What drives them and how does that align with your entrepreneurial ambitions?" says Tomassen. "After all, without fit and engaged staff, it is impossible to grow your organization. So you also need to invest in the maintenance and development of your staff to innovate. The attention you pay to people will get you back automatically."

As an entrepreneur, you have many responsibilities: for your employees, your family and for yourself. "That sometimes feels pretty lonely," Tomassen says. "So stay in touch with the people you love and look for sparring partners."

Charging your own battery

Finally, also pay attention to your own well-being. "In other words, take good care of yourself, because your own vitality is predictive of the success of your business," says Tomassen. "If you outrun yourself, you become exhausted. Then you have more trouble adapting to change."

The director of Zorg van de Zaak learned that himself when he developed heart disease. "I had a three-year-old son and was really only concerned with my work," he says. "My heart problems were an eye opener: I was dividing my attention and energy incorrectly. From then on, I exercise more, eat healthier and divide my time more consciously throughout the day and week. I don't have to do everything, but what I do I want to do well."

Start the new year right and get moving

To help entrepreneurs bring a little more harmony between work and private life, Zorg van de Zaak has a special promotion. They are inviting entrepreneurs to participate in a training program from February for the quarter or half marathon of Utrecht on May 21, 2024. Tomassen: "Training can be done in your own neighborhood and at the time that suits you best. We are a sponsor of this Zorg van de Zaak Business Run and give you, as an entrepreneur, entrance tickets for yourself and a guest." Will you participate? You can sign up at [email protected].