A helpful guide to help business owners manage business stress and ideas on how to power through and come out the other side.
Fancy a virtual coffee together and chat about something we all know too well – the stress of running a business?
You know, that constant companion that whispers in our ears about all the things that could go wrong? Yeah, that one. But here’s the thing, let’s tackle it head-on, in this guide there will be no eye-roll-inducing advice like “just meditate more” or “set clearer goals”. Let’s dive into the real stuff, the actionable stuff.
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So, Ready For A Plot Twist?
First up, let’s play a game we like to call “What’s the worst that could happen?” It sounds scary, but stick with us.
Once a month, grab a cuppa, sit down, and jot out the absolute worst-case scenarios for your business stresses. Then whip up a plan for each. It’s like having a business continuity plan but for your peace of mind. This little exercise pulls those fears into the light and they sometimes can feel less intimidating.
Hobbies: Not Just For Spare Time
Next, try out a new hobby that makes your brain work in a new way, something completely unrelated to your business. It could be anything from rock climbing to coding video games, doing an escape room challenge, learning a language, trying paddleboarding, discover wine tasting, learning to knit, there are so many options. This isn’t about relaxation; it’s about engagement, a total mental detour. Hobbies can be refreshing and give your problem-solving skills a secret boost!
Get To The Root Of It
Ever heard of the ‘Five Whys’? It’s a gem from the world of manufacturing that can seriously declutter your stress. When something’s got you tied up in knots, ask ‘why’ five times to drill down to the root cause. It’s like playing detective with your own stressors. You’ll be surprised at what you uncover – and how fixable things are once you really understand them.
Your Stress-Busting Squad
Now, let’s talk about your network. Not just any networks, but a special kind of stress-relief, super hero league level network. Picture a group of fellow business owners, all ready to share, vent, and support. It’s about turning those “I’m all alone in this” moments into “We’ve got this” moments. Just knowing there are others out there who get it can be a huge relief. If you’ve heard about our Hub membership, this is an incredibly supportive community of business owners who can help celebrate, brainstorm, question, answer and solve problems, come and check out membership!
Plan For The Unplannable
Ah, the unpredictability of business. It’s like a box of chocolates, but sometimes you find the ones you really don’t like. Here’s a nifty trick: schedule time for surprises. Sounds paradoxical, but by time-blocking for the unexpected, you’re essentially creating a buffer zone. It means when the unexpected does pop up, it’s not quite so disruptive. It might be a monthly non-negotiable meeting with yourself in your diary doing something you absolutely enjoy. You might not know what that is right now, but block out the time and when the day comes do something that your energy really needs, it could be a nap, it could be a call with a friend you’ve not checked in with, it could be a date with yourself in a fancy café and a book.
Before Things Go South
This sounds a bit drastic, but have you ever done a ‘pre-mortem’. Imagine, just for a moment, that an grand idea didn’t work out. Now, backtrack and figure out why. This pre-game tactic isn’t about being pessimistic; it’s about being prepared and, ultimately, less stressed, and thinking of the things that might be the blocker or hurdle ahead.
Wrapping Up
So, here’s a few ways to manage business stress with some real, tangible steps that go beyond the usual. Creating potential backup plans, finding mental escapes, digging deep to understand stress, creating your support network, embracing unpredictability with open arms, and preparing for what might go wrong so it doesn’t.
In this wild ride of entrepreneurship, stress comes with the territory. But with these strategies, we’re not just coping; we’re turning it into a secret tool for success.
Do you do anything that helps combat business stress, we’d love to know in the comments below