How To Cope With The Stress Of Building and Growing Your Business

At a glance, working for yourself might seem like a dream come true. There is no one to boss you around, no one who can tell you what to do and try to manage your every step. You’re in charge, and you are the one who is responsible.

If this sounds like a trap, that’s because it is. The stress of starting and managing your own business, paired with keeping the company afloat and securing finances while trying to improve your products and services, can take its toll on your psychological well-being.

If left unattended, the stress of running your own business can lead to burnout, anxiety, depression, and even heart disease. But, fear not, as this article will guide you through some healthy ways you can combat the stress of being a business owner and help you reduce the harmful consequences of being an independent entrepreneur.

Accept That Multitasking Is A Myth

More and more studies prove that no one can multitask. All someone can do is quickly shift their attention from one task to the next. As a consequence, your result will be that you have exhausted yourself and your brain while trying to manage several things at a rapid pace. Moreover, none of these tasks will be done as well as it would be if you were to devote your undivided attention to it.

Because of this, you need to resist the urge to work on several different tasks non selectively. Instead, learn to prioritize your tasks. Make a list and gauge them based on their importance and urgency. Thus, you’ll be able to focus all your attention on the stuff that matters first.

One thing that can help you stay on the right track is taking some time each day to prepare a to-do list for the next day. Stick to the list, and don’t let anything distract you until all the items on the list are taken care of. Once the plan is complete, it’s OK to move on to the other things.

Establish Clear Work-Life Boundaries

Resisting the urge to give all you can to run your own business 24/7 can be challenging. After all, if you don’t tend to your job’s needs right away, there is no one to do it instead of you. Not only is that not a healthy way to run a business, but it’s also not even a healthy way to live.

Set up clear boundaries between your work life and your private life, even if your office is in the very same house where your significant other and your pets are. Instead, spend some quality time with your friends and family, and don’t forget to take some time during the day and devote it exclusively to yourself.

Mute your email notifications, stop taking work-related calls in the evening and do not use your phone for anything that involves your job after business hours. You need to learn how to leave your work and work-related troubles where they belong. That is, at your office. Doing so will eventually help you disconnect from work when needed and establish a better work-life balance.

Remember That You Deserve A Break

This piece of advice is directly related to the one mentioned above. Don’t be afraid or ashamed to take some actual time off.

Fist of all, taking some time off is beneficial for you since it enables you to decompress. Getting away from a stress-inducing environment can be all it takes to give you new ideas and a fresh outlook at the problems you might be facing at work. Second, experts have proven that taking a vacation improves life quality and brings professional success.

Lastly, you’ll come back from a vacation more energized, more creative, and ready to tackle new challenges life might throw your way. It’s worth it.

Be Aware Of The Things That Stress You Out

Sometimes, when you are on your daily grind, you don’t even have the time to properly process the things that put you under pressure and cause you discomfort. One effective way to deal with your stressors is by becoming aware of them.

Devote one week of work to noticing the things that bring you stress and writing them down. At the end of the week, see the info you have gathered and come up with a plan to deal with those stress triggers. If you feel overwhelmed, consider getting a career coach. Compared to the benefits it brings to your overall wellbeing and professional success, that is a small but valuable investment.

Celebrate The Success

It is quite bizarre, but we humans tend to judge ourselves much harsher than we do others. When you feel overcome with stress and anxiety, a perspective shift might help.

Ask yourself how you would treat a friend or a loved one if they came up to you, looking for advice on the same problem that you are currently facing. There is no doubt that you wouldn’t be as harsh on them as you are when judging yourself. Remember, be kind to yourself first.

Another similar trick is to think of one of your peers who seems to be much more successful than you and try to remember that they are human too. We all have our troubles and struggles. Just because the outside world cannot see that, it doesn’t mean we’re not hurting inside.

Don’t Neglect Your Body…

There is a saying that claims that sitting is the new smoking.

In practice, this means that our new way of life is too passive. While your mind is racing, your body is spending more than a third of each day stuck in an office chair. Lack of physical activity can lead to different forms of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes, and even some cancer forms. On the mental health front, it is associated with depression and anxiety. Clearly, it would be best for you to work on increasing your physical activity.

Now, this doesn’t mean you have to spend three hours a day in the gym. Small changes can reap great benefits. Get a dog (or borrow one) and take it for a walk in the evening, or try to take a bike to work. Every little bit of physical activity helps, and together they accumulate to a much healthier lifestyle overall.

…Or Your Mind

Running a business involves lots of overthinking and obsessing over current problems, which can ruin your peace of mind. Meditation can be a great way to help you control the pessimistic thoughts and keep them in check, thus enabling you to be productive and focus your attention on the essential things.

Try to start each day with a relaxation method of your choice, be it meditation or yoga. Do whatever helps you start your day with a refreshed, clear mind, and positive energy that will guide you through the challenges of the day ahead of you. If you are feeling overwhelmed at work, perhaps give an app for guided meditation a try. While these are not as effective as a genuine meditation session, an app like that can help you relax enough to make it to the end of the workday.

About the Author:

Michael has been working in marketing for almost a decade and has worked with a huge range of clients, which has made him knowledgeable on many different subjects. He has recently rediscovered a passion for writing and hopes to make it a daily habit. You can read more of Michael's work at Qeedle.