How to Manage Stress While Running a Business

stressed out business woman sitting on her table

Owning your own business is very rewarding, but it can also be extremely stressful. Business owners wear a lot of different hats, and keeping your business running smoothly is hard work. A successful entrepreneur is driven and willing to put in the work required to keep everything going, which may include some very long days and weeks. But at the same time, owners need to know how to effectively manage stress.

There are several stress management techniques that business owners can use to help keep themselves and their companies in good health:

Table of Contents

Take Time to Reflect on What is Going Well

There are a lot of moving parts that must be managed when you operate a business, and it is easy to focus too much attention on the problems that need to be solved and not give any attention to the things that are going well.

We tend to take the latter for granted, but if we think about it, there are probably a lot more things that are going right than going wrong. If we take some time to reflect on the accomplishments of the business and those areas that are doing well, it helps put us in a more positive mindset, and it keeps us motivated to push forward and make the business even better.

Make Diet and Exercise a Priority

With so much to do every day, eating healthy and exercising regularly can become less of a priority. But if you stop doing these things, you will eventually run out of emotional gas while trying to climb the ladder of success. Take the time to put together a healthy diet and exercise program that is right for you. And as always, check with your doctor before beginning any type of exercise routine if you have any health conditions that you are concerned about.

Focus on One Task at a Time

Multitasking is commonplace these days as we are always getting several things thrown at us at once. But research shows that multitasking is bad for productivity and your overall well-being as it costs time to switch back and forth between projects and increases stress. It may seem counterintuitive to some but focusing on one task at a time is the most productive and least stressful way to work.

Take Regular Breaks During Your Workday

Another common misconception is that if you work nonstop, you will be more productive. The opposite is true. Working too long without a break can make you stressed and fatigued, and it can also have numerous adverse effects on your health. Taking regular breaks, on the other hand, refreshes your focus and concentration and helps boost your creativity.

Learn to Say “No”

When a business is first getting off the ground, owners tend to welcome any opportunity they can that will help grow their enterprise. But you must remember that there are only so many hours in a day, and if your plate is too full, this will cause a lot of stress. Your time is valuable, and you need to be careful what you choose to spend your energies on.

Delegate or Outsource Tasks You are Not Good at or Do Not Enjoy

Picking up on the last point, you cannot do everything, and you should not try to. Everyone has various strengths and weaknesses, and it is best for you to spend as much of your time as possible doing the things that you are good at and passionate about. As for the tasks that you do not want to do, either delegate them to an employee or outsource them to a provider outside the company.

Unplug When You are Not Working

Most of us tend to keep our cell phones close by these days. Our phones allow us to stay plugged in and connected with everything that is going on in the world. This is a blessing, but it can also be a curse if you are a business owner. Chances are you get inundated with texts and emails all day long. And it is tempting to want to respond to everyone right away. But the fact is, most of the issues you are contacted about can wait until you are working again to address them.

When you are out of the office and not working, do not bring the office with you. We all need to get away sometimes to be with loved ones and/or participate in activities we enjoy. It is not good for us, and it is not fair to the others we are with to keep working while we are supposed to be taking some time off. Take time to unplug and get refreshed, so you can be more productive and less stressed when you return to the office.

Thinking of Selling your Business? Contact a Reputable Business Broker

Maybe you have been in business for a while, and you have decided that it is the right time to exit the operation. Maybe it is stress, burnout, or just a change in circumstance that necessitates the need to sell. If you are considering selling your business, the best place to start is to speak with a local CPA business broker. By working with a business broker, you will have a skilled professional by your side to help you navigate the complexities of this type of transaction and put you in the best possible position to sell for top dollar.

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