Entrepreneurs: Things to do to Reduce Stress Running your own business can be both rewarding and fun. But it does not end there. Alongside all the joys and the rewards are pressures that may make doing business very stressful. For many entrepreneurs, the most common source of stress is the workload. As many people would say, “If you want to become successful, you have to work extra hours”. This is particularly what is happening to many entrepreneurs today, right now, while you are reading this very article. They work harder and longer. And the pressure is different if you are running your own business than working 40 hours a week for someone else. Add to this the stresses brought on by the responsibilities at home. Usually, working moms and dads have all of the tasks at work, and at the same time, have to do more chores at home in less time. And the greatest "workload" (and most important) are the responsibilities to the entrepreneur's children. One of the major factors related to the stresses of the entrepreneur is the financial aspect of the business. Seldom do we see businesses without debt. Most businesses (i.e. the entrepreneurs) have a certain amount of debt or loans at any one time that need to be paid. This causes great stress on the part of the entrepreneur; balancing of funds and converting all the expenses into income that hopefully tips the scales in favor of the income. Not too many other issues cause greater stress for the entrepreneur than seeing the color red on the books. The Entrepreneur has to make decisions swiftly and effectively which usually have an impact on more than just "the boss". And for those who are only beginning to introduce themselves to this kind of environment (we are not trying to scare you off), it may quickly become very stressful. All of these contribute to the challenges of The Entrepreneur. To reduce the stress from these (and many other stresses), here are some things you can do: Start at your desk – Clutters can contribute to the present stress you are experiencing. So before doing something today, make sure that you clean up all the mess and put away the things that do not have to be on your desk. A clean desk will be more pleasant to work on. Devise a system – Daily planners will make things easier for you. If you have lots of things to do, do not intent to finish them all at the same time. Make a schedule when to do this and when to do that. Thinking about all the tasks that need to be done will not solve your problem. Do them one at a time. In this way, you will certainly accomplish one after another. Multiply yourself – If you think you cannot accomplish the enormous tasks on your own, hire (competent) people who can help you. Remember that one good trait of a successful entrepreneur is that she knows when to seek help. Two heads are better than one and four hands are better than two right? Make a business plan – Everyday, you are tasked with several things to do. In order to get things organized, it would be better to make a plan and stick to that plan. This will keep you on track and prevent you from doing things that you don’t "need" to do. Remember that time is crucial in running your own business. Time is money, and The Entrepreneur had better make the most of every second that passes. Make sure that you know where you are heading with the plan you have devised. In the Leadership Circle of Business, this is also called being a visionary - do not just get tasks done. The Entrepreneur's tasks should all lead the business down the path that is most strategically appropriate for the long term success (survival) of the business. Designate tasks – You cannot do everything. But even if you do (or think you can do it all), you cannot do it effectively or efficiently. Why? Because you are too occupied with the thought that you have so many things to do to grow your business. Make sure that you designate tasks to the right person. Then let them do what you ask of them. Learn something new about your industry (and your business) everyday – As days progress, you will surely have some rises and falls. These are called experiences. Learn something from these experiences so that the next time you encounter the same thing, you will likely know what to do. Too many entrepreneurs fail at this critical component to more effectively grow and manage your business. Added tip here: social media allows you to network much more efficiently with peers in your industry. If your mind is open, this may help you avoid mistakes before you even make them by learning through others' experiences. And finally… RELAX – Ahhh, even the words coming out of your mouth (go ahead and say it out loud) help to ease your mind, body and spirit. Stressing about the business too intensely will not do any good for you (or your business). This is all too often the beginning of a vicious cycle that spirals out of control. You stress more, you do not function well under the everyday pressures, which adds even more stress, and so on. You (we) must find time to relax and put down the iPad, walk away from the computer, take a short walk with the phone turned off, play with your kids, whatever. This will let you decompress and clear your mind so that you may be able to think more effectively and hopefully break the cycle. Remember that you are making crucial decisions every now and then and you cannot make these decisions if you are over-stressed. Take time to breathe and take time to clear your mind from all the worries in front of you. Soon enough, you will be back on track and ready to do what you do best. Have more tips - please feel free to comment - Thanks! |
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