How to manage stress when running a small business
How to manage stress when running a small business
Do you think that the stress of running your business kills all the fun in your life? It doesn't have to. The idea of having your own business is to have the freedom to do what you like, enjoy life and prosper.
Many clients that come to my Toronto office for massage therapy complain of stress in their lives. They say that it increases their anxiety and affects their health. Indeed, stress is considered to be one of the causes in such conditions as depression, heart diseases, ulcers, and possibly even cancer.
To some, stress is a vicious cycle. I often hear: "Running my own business is so stressful. It drains me. I can't concentrate on my immediate work tasks. I try harder, but then it causes even more anxiety. I stop only when some sickness like the flu puts me to bed for a few days. Only then I allow myself to relax."
This doesn't sound like fun, prosperous or free life at all. So here are some simple steps you can take to avoid this possible high stress nightmare.
Dream
Your own business is all about what you want. There are no boundaries. So why don't you imagine your ideal business? Dreaming is a time well spent. Many studies have suggested that daydreaming puts you in a state where you can relax and rejuvenate. Besides, this will help you to create new ideas for your business and come up with solutions on how to overcome current obstacles.
Plan
After you have dreamt it, it's time for the action plan. Any consultant will tell you that a great endeavour starts with a business plan. Write it all down. Be as detailed as you can. Put in writing all the dates and small numbers. It will look better on paper. Everybody knows that fear is mainly caused by stressing about the unknown. Once you have it in a document, there is nothing to stress about. Everything is calculated and planned. And the rest is as some would say is: "Just do it".
Look at the bigger picture
Each day take some time to turn away from the immediate problems and think about why you are building this business. Look at the bigger picture and gain some perspective. What was the purpose? Did you have a personal goal when you started? Taking a snapshot of the bigger picture will dramatically reduce the anxiety.
Outsource
Hire people that can do a better job at the auxiliary tasks. We all have our own unique strengths. For example, if your business involves interactions with many clients, having a receptionist with outstanding people skills is a must. Concentrate on what you do best and delegate other tasks. This will reduce unnecessary work overload and stress. It is a great exercise in developing trust in other people. And once you trust them, there is a great sense of ease and clarity.
Make sure to have downtime to relax
Now, this is probably the most important point. Do something besides your business. Enjoy your hobby. Be it reading a book, playing your favourite game or going fishing if that's where your heart is. Switching your mind to a different activity is the best way to refresh. There is nothing wrong with doing a vary complicated sudoku if it brings you pleasure. The goal is to relax and not think about work, however much you love it. Getting massage is also a great way to distress and rejuvenate. It is amazing how skilled hands can take those tensions away and make you feel relaxed.
Take care of your body
As my grandma used to say: "If you haven't got your health, you haven't got anything." What is the point of having a financial stability if you can't enjoy it because of a health issue? Engage your body everyday. Physical activity releases endorphins in your body, which make you relax and feel happy. Combine this point with a previous one. Let sport be one of your hobbies. However, moderation is a key. I see many clients in my office who trained inappropriately and now need weeks of therapy and rest to heal that sport injury. I personally recommend starting with a bicycle. Why don't you park your car for a day and see if you can commute on a bike. You would be amazed how easy it is and how much exercise you can get by just getting from point A to B. It has a very low impact on your joints, and gives you an amazing aerobic workout.
Outlined in this article are just a few simple steps you can take. No solution fits everybody. We have to find what works for us. But if you find that the stress eats at your ability to run your business, then it is time to act.
Thanks for reading! Other articles on how to manage your stress or other health related issues can be found at the yorkvillemassage.ca website
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