Running your own business has its perks… not to mention the cons.
It’s great to be your own boss. You build the business that you’ve been dreaming of and watch it grow. You’re in charge of your time. Some can even work anywhere they want. Plus you don’t need to put up with people in a team who don’t perform the way you expect them to. It’s all on you.
But that’s also the con. It’s all on you, including the stress that comes with it.
In life and in business, there will be a great number of things that you can’t control and sometimes, people refuse to accept that. Solopreneurs are often strong-willed people who have placed a lot of trust in themselves. Not that it’s a bad thing, but sometimes, too much trust in yourself can lead to your failure to accept when things don’t go your way.
Two things can happen when you refuse to accept: you become a control freak or you give up completely.
It’s mostly it’s up to you to decide whether you’ll let these things stress you or not. I hope these tips can help you manage your stress levels while you build your empire.
1. Start with the good stuff.
More often than not, people will encourage you to point out what’s wrong and then work your way from there. But here, I want you to take a look at the big picture and just pick out those that are doing well when it comes to your business. Hype yourself with the positive ones first before you move your way to the stressful ones. Small progress is still progress. Give yourself a pat on the back for all the things that you were able to accomplish, so you’re more ready to face the less perfect ones.
2. What’s stressing you?
Stress is caused by a problem you haven’t solved yet. As a solopreneur, you may be dealing with a lot of things and it can be difficult to single out the ones that are stressing you. But take quiet time to think about this. While identifying isn’t an immediate solution, it can help alleviate the stress. And when you already know what it is, it will be easier for you to come up with ways to solve it.
3. Create a structure for yourself.
Chaos adds up to stress. What contributes to chaos is when you don’t have a structure. You’re not organized. You work on something and get distracted easily. This is when stress pours in. When you don’t know what to prioritize and you lack focus, you end up with half-baked tasks. Planning and making a schedule helps create a structure. Prioritize tasks and work on them till they’re done. Also, set aside time for every task. Don’t try to do everything at the same time.
4. Take a break.
Even the best in the business know when to take a break. You need it and you deserve it. Savor an hour of lunch. Take a 10-minute coffee break. Take the weekend off. Have a rest so you can recharge from what’s burning you out. When our brain is too pre-occupied with every little thing, it’s harder to see and a break might just help you think of better ways.
Stress management is important for a solopreneur like you because you only have yourself to rely on. You are the heart of your business. Take care of yourself. Put yourself on top of the rank. When you’re worry-free, you can run your business more effectively.
