Managing Stress as a Business Owner
There are many perks to being a business owner, like being your own boss, hiring the right people, and pursuing your purpose. The downside, however, is that managing a business comes with a lot of stress that can cause emotional fatigue and burnout if not properly addressed.
In order to keep yourself—and your company—healthy, it’s important to manage your stress and take plenty of time for yourself. Here are 8 tips to help you manage your stress.
Tips for Managing Stress
- Acknowledge Your Successes. Managing a business takes a lot of grit and determination, and through all the challenges you face, it can be easy to lose sight of what has been going well. Take time to reflect on and celebrate your successes. Doing so will put you in a positive mindset, show you what your strengths are, and remind you that you’ve made incredible progress.
- Recognize Your Stressors. In order to address your stress, you must first find out what causes you stress. Take a step back and pinpoint the areas that cause you the most amount of stress. (For example, are you stressed from hiring, managing your business, managing finances, or something else?) From there, you can work on solving the issue or changing your response to the stressor.
- Create Structure. Setting a regular routine can help you know what to expect at work, which gives you a sense of control that can help mitigate stress. Additionally, try to tackle difficult items first thing in the morning so you feel more accomplished and don’t feel a sense of dread all day.
- Prioritize “Me Time.” It’s easy to get so caught up in work that you forget to take care of yourself. If you find you are losing yourself to your business, you may start to see your business losing its way as well. Schedule some free time during the day, and take time to recharge with activities that you enjoy. Connecting with family and friends can also help take your mind off of your stress.
- Learn to Say No. As a business owner, you might find yourself taking on more than you can realistically handle. Although you may not have the luxury of delegating when you are first starting out, there comes a point when taking on too many tasks can lead to burnout. It is critical to set work boundaries and learn when to say no—doing so will help you focus on your mission, prioritize your time, and avoid undue stress.
- Delegate or Outsource Tasks. When you’re accustomed to being a boss, it can be difficult to give up that control. After all, you’re used to doing things yourself. But the truth is, you can’t do it all—and you shouldn’t feel obligated to! Learning to delegate tasks to employees (or outsourcing work to agencies or other partners) can help you get tasks done faster and reduce your stress levels. Doing so will allow you to focus on your strengths so you can grow your business and do the activities you enjoy the most.
- Choose Your Tools. Work software is supposed to make your life easier. But if you find yourself spending more time learning how to use software than actually using it, then it’s probably not the right tool for you. Finding the perfect tools can save you time and stress in the long run, so pick your tools wisely!
- Unplug. If you find yourself constantly working with no breaks, you will probably notice your productivity and efficiency suffer. It’s important to replenish your energy by completely unplugging from your work. Take time to do activities you enjoy, such as walking, reading, or talking to friends. Give yourself time to rest and recharge so you can come back to work full of energy.
Managing Stress as a Business Owner
Being a business owner comes with its share of challenges, but it’s also one of the most rewarding things you’ll experience. If managing stress as a business owner is wearing you out, we encourage you to take time to recharge—you deserve it! Plus, your business will perform better when you’re feeling your best.
published on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023
