Running a Business: The stress of it all

We get it – running a business can be very stressful. Dealing with finances, deadlines, supply issues, keeping your staff and customers happy, as well as making time for your family and friends can leave you feeling wrung out, exhausted, and wondering if it’s all worthwhile. So, how to cope?

Acknowledge your feelings: Be honest with yourself. Recognising that your stress levels have become unpleasantly high is a critical first step – but don’t beat yourself up over it! If you think it’s only you feeling overwhelmed while other business owners sail through day-to-day challenges while barely breaking a sweat … think again!

Assess the situation: Stress can severely damage your health, impact negatively on your decision making, and cause costly mistakes. So rather than struggling on through yet more exhausting days and sleepless nights, get proactive. Take an objective look at your situation (if necessary, ask someone you trust to help you with this) and make a list of the issues causing you the most stress: Is it worries over cash flow? Problems with staff? A ridiculously heavy workload? The fact that you haven’t had a day off since way back when?

Be prepared to invest: The issues you identify may mean you need to invest money and/or time to help remedy the situation. And if you think that’s too big an ask, consider the alternative: carry on doing what you’re doing and there’s a good chance you’ll burn out altogether while your business becomes yet another statistic.

Here are a few suggestions:  

• Visit your accountant or financial advisor: Ask for their help to find ways that will improve your financial situation, and if you don’t already have a good bookkeeping system, they’ll probably be able to suggest a reliable software program or pass on the name of a bookkeeper they trust.

• Talk to your team: They may have noticed ways to improve workflow or have other useful suggestions. And is there someone you could train up to take more responsibility? Involving your team helps create a culture of empowerment and collaboration that can be very productive.

• Set boundaries: No more after hours business calls or emails. Only very rarely is there something that can’t wait until tomorrow. So, no matter what you might be thinking, find the ‘Do not disturb’ control on your phone and use it!

• Make you your top priority: This is not selfishness, it’s self-preservation. Go see your doctor for a check up and talk to them about the stress you’re experiencing. Schedule in time for regular exercise. Be honest with yourself about any not-so-good lifestyle habits you might have acquired – poor diet, a little too much alcohol, prolonged periods of physical inactivity – and start making some changes (James Clear’s book Atomic Habits may very well be your friend here).

We hope that this helps. Remember, a healthy life is all about balance, and for the wellbeing of both you and your business, a sustainable work life balance should always be your priority.