There’s a lot to enjoy about running your own business, but there’s no denying that it can be a little stressful from time to time, especially in light of Coronavirus. While you’ll like the fact that you’re your own boss and have the capacity to bring your ideas to life, there are plenty of difficult moments that you could live without. There’s no way to completely eliminate stress from your professional life (it’s what you signed up for), yet there are things you can do that’ll keep it at a minimum.
Below, we take a look at a few essential tips that’ll help to put an arm’s length between you and stress.
Find Your Routine
You’ll feel a lot more relaxed if it feels like you’re working effortlessly, rather than feeling as if you’re pushing a boulder up a hill. One way to make your workday more fluid is to establish a routine. It takes a little time to integrate your routine into your day, but after a couple of weeks, you’ll find that you’re entering a flow state. Of course, some routines are better than others. If you’re getting a good night’s rest, having a relaxed morning and a healthy breakfast, and planning your day so that you can take breaks throughout the day, you’ll find it much easier to manage everything.
So adapt to the changing environment. Remember to start the day in prayer for God is with you and He will guide you – if you take time to turn to Him and His word.
Grow At The Right Time
All businesses want to grow. It is, of course, the right ambition to have. However, it’s important to consider when you should grow. If you grow too quickly, then you could find that you have too much on your plate. Indeed, everything becomes a little more complicated if you grow before you’re ready — it’s actually one of the leading causes of financial problems for businesses. Before expanding, check that you’re in a stable position and that you’ll be able to take the additional workload in your stride.
Bringing Others Onboard
Your company might begin as a solo project, but it’s not as if it has to stay that way. Once you begin to have some success, you’ll want to consider bringing other people on board, both in the form of adding staff and by outsourcing certain tasks to third-party companies.
You’ll be amazed at just how much time you can free up by hiring employees. Of course, in order to ensure that your staff doesn’t add more stress to your life, it’s important that you hire correctly. Come up with a solid hiring process, and you’ll end up with a strong employee more often than not.
Managing Your Team
Yet, while your staff can take some pressure off, you will need to take steps to ensure that they don’t cause other kinds of stress (both indirectly and directly). Once you’ve brought employees on board, you’ll have to take care of a few tasks in order to ensure that everything runs smoothly.
Fortunately, there is software that can help to ensure this is the case. The Sling employee and shift scheduling app can help to smoothen the process of staff scheduling, and all-around make it easier to manage your team. As well as apps, you’ll want to create an open and friendly atmosphere in the workplace, since employee disagreements can cause unnecessary stress.
Simplify Your Operations
One of the reasons why you knew you were suited to running your own business is because you are full of ideas. However, not all ideas should be acted upon. It’s a bit like buying more possessions than you need; you don’t think there’s a problem until you realize that they’re beginning to clutter up your home and make your life more difficult.
When it comes to your business, it’s best to adopt an attitude of simplicity. Instead of trying to add new products or services, just focus on the one or two things that you know you can do extremely well. You can always scale things up later on if you want to.
Have you heard that FOCUS stands for Follow One Course Until Success? Make that work for you.
Look After Yourself
Finally, be sure to look after yourself. Many business owners throw themselves entirely into their business operations, but if you do this, then you’ll only run the risk of burnout. Before anything else, make sure that you’re in a good place. You’ll be able to take your business duties in your stride if you’re eating well, having fun in your free time, and don’t continually work twelve-hour days.
Sometimes, a little break is recommended, just so you can refresh your mind and recharge your batteries — you’ll return to work eager and ready to work better than ever.
“Are you weary, carrying a heavy burden? Then come to me. I will refresh your life, for I am your oasis.
Matthew 11:28 (TPT)
Remember, the best news is this – Jesus is your oasis for rest!