Stress kills, and that’s no exaggeration. It results in high blood pressure, heart attacks, strokes amongst many other conditions big and small, and the self-employed are among the most stressed people on the planet.
Unfortunately, advice like ‘Just relax’ doesn’t work. Stress reduction and management are skills that must be learnt, and one of the most intriguing side effects of stress reduction is the ability to attract more profit to your business.
The effects of stress, which are often the result of increased workload and poor management, can lead to greater feelings of unfulfillment, and this can be compounded over time. The crushing weight of daily stress can lead to:
- decreased motivation
- indecision
- poor choices
- oversights
- illnesses
- time away from work
- diminished profits
As the owner of a small business, you and your business are at high risk of experiencing all of this, and more.
Stress Busting
Not all stress is negative, it can also be positive, helping you keep on your toes and maintaining your motivation for achievement. Positive stress results when you are doing what you love, working at peak energy, and feeling committed to reaching goals.
Positive or negative, your business stress starts with you and the culture you choose to build. Lead the way, create the environment that you want to work in, and you can foster only the positive variety of stress by:
- Stop procrastinating
It’s human nature to put off the most difficult tasks until later. But that way, they pile up and negative stress builds. So, take on the things you dislike the most first and remove them from your to-do list and feel the stress melt away.
- Outsource
If you don’t like a task, why not outsource it to someone capable and willing. When you start out you may not have the capital to outsource but put plans in place as part of your business strategy.
- Look on the bright side
Business is filled with disappointments—if you view them in that light. Practice seeing the opportunity within failures instead, mistakes are the best form of learning.
- Work efficiently
Rather than contemplating you ‘to do’ list, begin doing one at a time. Simply starting will not only relieve stress, but it gets the ball rolling.
- Exercise
Physical activity reduces cortisol (the ‘stress hormone’), relieving feelings of anxiety, worry and dread. Just a lunchtime walk or a trip to the gym after work can do wonders.
- Eat well
Unhealthy eating leads to a body that’s stressed, mentally and physically.
- Quiet time
Commit 15 minutes every day for yourself – no noise, no distractions, no work thoughts. Just take time out in nature, with a pet, your children to remember how it feels to be connected to the earth.
- Time off
You must take holidays and time off; in fact, schedule them in.
- Talk
Bottling up negative feelings ferment stress. Talking over your concerns can relieve the pressure, or even prevent it in the first place.
Ommmm
Subjecting yourself to consistent stress isn’t only bad for your health, it’s bad for business. Being self employed, stress is inevitable. However, the ways in which you limit that stress plays a large part in how much profit you earn – and how successful you will become.
Did you know that Benefits Package members can access FREE online workout and wellness classes to help combat the stress of being an ADI.
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