Every so often, you hear about someone who stands out—someone who, against all the odds, manages to build something special and successful. But what makes these stories hit home is when it’s about someone who’s a lot like us—regular folks dealing with everyday challenges and still trying to reach for the stars.

Meet Natalie, the Founder and CEO of the multiple 6-figure digital marketing agency, S&S Creative. But what makes her story even more interesting is that she’s managed all of this while living with a health challenge—a chronic illness.

Natalie’s story is inspiring because it shows what’s possible. Not everyone deals with a chronic illness, but we all face our own problems. Natalie proves that, whatever it is you’ve been dealt, you can overcome it and build your success. She’s shown that it’s possible to juggle life’s difficulties and still grow a successful business. Her strategies for success include:

1. Know Your Limits

First off, Natalie learned to understand her limitations. Acknowledging one’s limits is not an admission of defeat; rather, it’s a significant step toward managing a chronic illness and running a successful business. Sometimes, what matters is not how much you can do, but recognizing what you can’t, as that’s where real growth begins. Get to know your energy patterns and rhythms. Note the tasks, duration, and times that strain or energize you. Use this to build an effective routine and prevent overexertion which can worsen your health. This understanding can guide you in scheduling tasks when you’re at your best, ensuring maximum productivity.

For instance, If you’re an early bird, don’t force yourself to work late nights. Learn to pace yourself and distribute your tasks accordingly. If you can comfortably give an hour to business planning without straining your health, make sure you stick to that timeline.

2. Put Your Health First

As an entrepreneur, Natalie recognized that her health is her biggest asset. If she wasn’t feeling well, she couldn’t be productive or put out work that was to her standards. This goes beyond just physical health—mental and emotional health are just as important. Therefore, she made it her priority to always create room to nurture her well-being and ensure it didn’t take a back seat to her business. This approach has allowed her to maintain a continuous and successful operation. 

Remember, neglecting your health could also impact your business negatively. So, create a health-friendly schedule—squeezing in regular doctor visits, keeping up with your medication, and getting proper rest. Think about how you’d schedule an important business meeting—view your health the same way. For instance, if an essential check-up falls on a day packed with meetings, reschedule the meetings. Make a concrete commitment to prioritize your health.

3. Plan Your Time Well

Time may not be controllable, but it certainly can be managed. Embracing time management strategies helped Natalie to work smarter instead of harder. With the right methods, working hours become significantly more productive, accommodating both business and personal needs. Embrace productivity tools and techniques like time blocking or the Pomodoro Technique (Set a timer for 25 minutes, focus on a task, record each Pomodoro, take a break, and take a longer restorative 15-30 minute break after each Pomodoro) to make the best use of your time.

One thing that could help is recognizing your peak productive hours and planning the bulk of your workload during those hours. Also, set goals for what you hope to accomplish each day, making sure the goals are realistic and achievable.

4. Share the Load

One person cannot do it all, and Natalie understands this well. By delegating and outsourcing tasks, she’s able to make the very best use of her time and energy. Identify tasks that drain your energy or those where others can do better, and delegate or outsource these to maintain your business performance.

Trying to manage everything alone is not just overwhelming but also counterproductive when managing a chronic illness. Delegating your work ensures that your business keeps running smoothly even when you’re not at peak health. For instance, you might be great at marketing but not so good at finance. Instead of trying to juggle both, delegate finance-related tasks to someone competent in that field and focus your energy on your marketing strategy.

5. Build a Supportive Network

Natalie also relied on building a supportive network around her. Connect with people who understand your situation and can offer support during challenging times. A backing community cannot be underestimated. Invest time in building a network that understands your situation. It could be a mix of friends, family, or support groups that offer emotional and practical support.

Having a solid support system—from understanding family members and friends to your business mentors and team—is invaluable. They’re not only your cheerleaders, but they also provide emotional and professional support. For example, a mentor can guide you with strategic decisions, colleagues can take care of operational tasks, and family can provide emotional support and understanding.

6. Be Ready to Adapt

The business model you start with doesn’t have to be the one you stick with. Adapting to changes is the bloodline of a successful business. Natalie has been savvy enough to adapt her business model to incorporate her needs and capabilities.

Change is a constant in business and life. As your health situation evolves, flexibility is key to keeping your business on track. If you typically have in-person meetings but are going through a rough patch health-wise, propose virtual meetings. Today, with flexible working arrangements and digitization, there are numerous possibilities to keep your business running smoothly.

7. Keep a Positive and Resilient Mindset

A positive and resilient mindset has been a key player in Natalie’s success. With such a mindset, one can see challenges as opportunities rather than obstacles, turning losses into lessons for business growth. Cultivate a resilient mindset by embracing hardship as part of the learning process. Practice mindfulness and focus on positivity.

Remaining optimistic in the face of challenges is crucial for entrepreneurs. Recognize that there will be good days and bad days; it’s part of life. Maintaining a “can-do” attitude helps fight the low points. Celebrate small victories, like when you managed to complete that project within the deadline despite not feeling your best. Remember, every win (big or small) takes you one step closer to your bigger goals.

8. Seek Professional Help

Finally, Natalie believes in seeking professional help when needed. Whether it’s medical help to manage her condition or business consultants to help grow her business, she understands there are experts who specialize in areas where extra support may be needed. Recognize that reaching out for help is a strength rather than a sign of weakness. Allow professionals to support when needed.

Unlock the Secrets to Growing Your Business Despite Chronic Illness

Did Natalie’s story inspire you? For more practical tips, incredible stories, and effective digital marketing advice, visit S&S Creative. Also, do not forget to tune in to Natalie’s Podcast, where she shares her incredible journey. Discover how to navigate entrepreneurship, marketing, and personal growth while dealing with a chronic illness.

Remember, having a chronic illness doesn’t mean the end of your entrepreneurial dreams. Rather, it can serve as a testament to resilience and extraordinary strength—just as Natalie has shown us. The road to success is tough, but you don’t have to walk it alone, especially when you’ve got an amazing mentor like Natalie to guide the way.

Don’t just dream it, do it.