When you put out your shingle that says open for business, you immediately take on 10-14 jobs all at once. Even the best multi-tasker, can become a spaghetti brain at times, especially when everything happens all at once. How you handling stress is a key ingredient in your long-term success in business. Here is a list of techniques that a small business person can use to help manage their daily stress.
Take a deep breath: If your to do list is out of hand, take a deep breath and try to find something to do for a few minutes to get your mind off of the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, read the newspaper or do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Stress and anxiety are very common when you work in business.
Break it down: When facing a current or upcoming task at your job that overwhelms you with a lot of anxiety, divide the task into a series of smaller steps and then complete each of the smaller tasks one at a time. Completing these smaller tasks will make the stress more manageable and increases your chances of success.
Challenge your thinking: Challenge your negative thinking with positive statements and realistic thinking. When encountering thoughts that make you fearful or depressed, challenge those thoughts by asking yourself questions that will maintain objectivity and common sense. For example, you are afraid that you will not get that contract you’ve been working on for over a year –do not give into the fear. This will depresses you. The fact of the matter is that there all are kinds of opportunities available and just because you don’t get this contract doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world. It just wasn’t meant for you.
Practice stress relief: Do something regularly to help you manage your stress. Try starting an exercise routine or running. Some people enjoy yoga and team sports. Do not just sit in your office and worry all day. Surround yourself with mentors and others who can give you good advice. Running a business is all about making the hard decisions, but you can’t let the stress get to you or drive your decision making.
Take it one day at a time in your business. Remember, that you want to make decisions based on facts and not your emotions. There are usually other factors that cannot be anticipated and can affect the results of any situation. Get all of the facts of the situation and use them to your advantage. The more control you have over how you handle stress, the better off you will be in the long run.
Managing your stress takes practice. The more you practice, the better you will become.
About the author: Stan Popovich is the author of “A Layman’s Guide to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods” – an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties. For additional information go to: http://www.managingfear.com
As a Christian and a family focused entrepreneur, I believe that faith is a key ingredient in small business success. In this current economy, the people of God must remember that if you honor God through your business he will direct your path.
unrealistic deadline and has gotten crazier every day since.” If you have said any of these phrases out loud to yourself recently – you are not alone. Professional service businesses, particularly creative service businesses can really get abused and lose profit margin to rework.
