No one ever said it would be easy. And although there are undeniable benefits to running your own business, you’d have to be made of teflon not to feel the pressure sometimes. Suddenly, it’s all on you. As a start-up, you don’t have a huge support network, and you’re relying on your own talent and resources to make a success of your company and bring the money in, as well as multi-tasking to the nth degree, doing everything from pitching for new business to chasing up those late invoices. It’s a tough deal, and it’s very understandable that you might feel overwhelmed from time to time. So, how can you manage the feeling and make sure you don’t damage your most important resource – you.
Take It Back To Basics
With so much going on at once, and an immense amount of pressure to succeed, suffering from stress is almost inevitable at some points for any entrepreneur. So start by making sure that you’re taking care of the basics. Eating well and nutritiously, staying hydrated, practising good sleep hygiene, taking some exercise and even remember to take regular screen breaks. These things are often the first to go when we’re pushed for time and juggling a million things, but they are even more important at those moments. When the basics aren’t in harmony, everything else seems to be harder. So do those stretches at your desk, bring a supply of chopped veggies and nuts to snack on, and take care of yourself.
You Do You
When you’re launching a business, your mental health is paramount, so set about eliminating any unnecessary stressors and focusing only on the task ahead of you. Avoid that toxic friend who always drains your energy and leaves you feeling low. Opt out of advertising by switching your social media activity to a channel like Vero, which doesn’t show ads and lets you enjoy content from your friends as it was intended. Most of all, although it’s important to be inspired, don’t fall into the comparison trap. Your journey as a business owner is all about you, and no one else.
Build Your Connections
It’s a busy time, but remember to make some time in even the most packed schedule for your friends and family. They are the ones who can support you when times get tough, share your successes and keep you grounded. It’s important to keep up with people for your own wellbeing. You should also build on connections you make in your new world – sign up for some local networking events as well. Often these word-of-mouth recommendations can bring you a fair amount of business, and you never know what collaborations could be waiting around the corner. All it takes sometimes is reaching out to people and new worlds can open up. Try and cultivate connections with other local businesses who have a complementary offer to yours – not a direct competitor, but something where you could both benefit from each other’s customer recommendations. A few well placed promotions and your business could really get going – and you’ve made a connection who understands your situation too.
