Notary Entrepreneurs are not only essential but truly the backbone of our nation. We are on the front lines of all transactions. That alone can be stressful but then add:

A Pandemic – New Accelerated Remote Online Notary Laws – Clients that Demand you meet Face-To-Face with their Signers (despite Stay-At-Home Orders)

All this can be quite jarring in this emotionally charged atmosphere that is full of dread and panic around the world. With that in mind I took a break from the fear-based and negative headlines everywhere and decided to put pen to paper (or just typing it out on my laptop) some tips that may help us all cope with this pandemic.

1. Be aware of your thoughts and talk to someone you trust about your feelings. As a Notary Entrepreneur you will have several demands on you. Professionally as well as personally. Remember that your duties as a notary is different than any other career. Sometimes it is good just to network and talk with other notaries that know what you are going through. This has helped me a great deal over the years.

2. Limit the amount of time you are watching, reading or listening to the news. News cycles are on a 24 hour loop. It’s very tempting to try to keep up and watch every second of what’s going on. Experts say constantly checking for updates is not good for your mental health. Try to check, if needed, only once or twice a day to keep up with important updates and be firm with yourself to leave it at that.

3. Practice Self-Care. Make sure you are getting plenty of good sleep at night. Meal planning is also very critical for the notary entrepreneur because of the go, go, go schedule we usually keep. Also make sure you are hydrating well by drinking plenty of water throughout your day.

4. Set proper boundaries with others. Make sure you keep negative people at bay. This is critically important at this time in the world. When you go out on assignments, even if they are remote online notary assignments, you may encounter people that have been in quarantine for a couple of weeks and may want to share with you every opinion they have about the pandemic. Set boundaries and explain (in a professional manner) that you are trying to take care of your mental health and you’d like them to change the subject.

5. Monitor your mental health. Make sure you are keeping an eye on your thoughts and moods. If you notice signs that you are struggling try some self-management tools like going on a walk, meditation, breathing exercises or praying.

If you do find that your mental health is declining and you are not able to cope well, call someone that you trust like a love one, a medical professional or a psychiatrist. Remember, your mental health is just as important as your physical health.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

1 800 273 8255

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Daniel C. Lewis was named in 2010 Notary of the Year by the National Notary Association. He was also named in the same year as an Honorary Secretary of State by the Indiana Secretary of State in that same year. He resides in Carmel, IN, and is currently the Executive of Lewis Training Services, an approved education vendor by the Indiana Department of Insurance. Daniel is also an entrepreneur, writer, video editor, and Managing Partner of Lewis Notary Services Inc. Check out these other blog posts by this author

• Mastering Anti-Money Laundering Online Training for Notary Entrepreneurs
• What should Notary Entrepreneurs do in the First Quarter of the Year
• Becoming Successful in Business: The Mindset, Habits, and Strategies That Matter Most
• What to Look for When Choosing a Notary Coach or Notary Mentor
• The Top 5 Risks for Notaries in Handling Sovereign Citizen Documents