Starting your own business and calling yourself boss is a big deal. Entrepreneurs are basically superheroes; the race for deadlines, managing people (even yourself!), fixing mistakes and preventing new ones. All of this can add buckets of stress to your workday. Sweatin’ yet?
To keep being at the top of your game and preventing burnout, stress must be handled uniquely and correctly. Putting your well-being before your work can be hard for anyone, but it’s especially essential for entrepreneurs–and their teams–to function properly and stay motivated.
Here are some ideas.
1. Solve your problems ONE STEP at a time
When juggling a lot of roles, many entrepreneurs default to focussing on solving the whole puzzle, without realizing we may have an easier time if we just looked at the pieces.
Break that problem down and see how you can solve it piece-by-piece. This way, you’ll feel in control of the situation and will have more energy to get things done. Running in circles benefits no one.
This will allow you to find the core and work your way up to the big picture. If an employee makes a mistake, don’t focus on the mistake itself, rather what caused it. Retrace their steps until you find the moment it all went sour. The more complex the mistake is, the more sour spots you’ll find. Then, you can work on each point separately until you end up solving the whole problem.
2. Don’t overthink your daily tasks
After a while, overthinking becomes the standard part of your job. You got to where you are because you are a smarty pants. (Requisite pause for back-patting.)
But, you’re so used to it, you don’t even notice how much it stresses you out. Overthinking can also lead to anxiety and decrease your productivity.
Get out of your own head.
Focussing on all work all the time won’t bring any good to you or your business. Dedicate time–every day–to relax. The easiest way to do this is with some simple mindfulness exercises or a ritual to break up the day or wind you down in the evening. Yoga, running or cycling have the power to put your mind at ease and release tension from your muscles.
3. Take advantage of technology
Besides the obvious benefits advanced technology has for any firm, it can also help you on a personal level. The main problem with stress accumulation is that there are too many pesky tasks that need to be done. They’re small, tedious and take you away from more important business. They might even keep you up at night.
Luckily, now you can automate so many of these pesky to-dos. The right apps can allow you a minute to breathe and can keep you so organized, Marie Kondo would be jealous.
Today, you can pay the bills, proofread, deal with email marketing, and create proposals with just one click. Workflow is a great example, because it can automate everything you usually do on your iPhone or iPad, and Qapital can help you automatically save more money.
4. Performance meals are the way to go
Skipping meals will end up accumulating more stress because you’ll be hungry instead of focused…and not nicest version of yourself. To nail your workday with efficiency and gusto, add performance meals to the menu. They’re made specifically for busy people who need an energy boost NOW.
Plates are balanced with protein and carbs, which help optimize your athletic performance. This is good if you work out, but is also ideal for anyone who has an extremely active day.
5. Surround yourself with like-minded people
Not everyone understands what it means to be an entrepreneur. Meetings on the fly, managing your employees and clients, being detail-obsessed to ensure everything in the office is running according to plan, and, of course, longer days (bye-bye typical 9-5). All this can leave little to no time for anything else.
Being surrounded by people who don’t get it can drastically increase your stress levels as no one likes feeling alone or not understood. When you surround yourself with others who have the same or similar job, you realize that they tackle the same troubles you do.
Find your people!
6. Take a moment every day, just a moment, to de-clutter your desk
They say there’s order in chaos, but that’s not true when you’re an entrepreneur who needs to know precisely where their things are… all the time.
Throw away unnecessary papers (yes, we mean recycle), organize your drawers, and get rid of useless trinkets and items that don’t add to your work or joy. Tidying a little every day can make a long-term difference.
Introduce these practices over time and reap the rewards of being a kick-ass boss. Then send us a note about what you’re up to, ’cause we adore learning about genius businesses and beautiful, healthy leaders, doin’ their thing.
Mianna Korben is a writer with a passion for anything that will help her improve her life, wellbeing and set her on a path to success. She is an avid reader, coffee drinker and fitness enthusiast. When she’s not wordsmithing, she also enjoys travel and staying active.
