In our society, the entrepreneurs who make it big tend to achieve hero status. People look at them and think they have it all together. But many of the most successful leaders in business face challenges similar to the rest of us. Owning a business can be extremely stressful and exhausting, and the resulting anxiety can be crippling to a business.
Usually stepping back and disconnecting from big issues to calm down is helpful. Try these strategies to cool your nerves:
1. Braindump
Your brain loves holding on to what it thinks is important, which easily causes overwhelm and exhaustion. Take 20 minutes and write down anything that comes to mind—your worries, to do lists and everyday tasks. Don’t think, just purge what’s in your head.
2. Meditate
After creating space in your brain from everything that it’s been holding onto, give it a short break from all the thinking. Choose a guided meditation—a clear framework for your thoughts can be very helpful while relaxing your mind.
3. Shift perspective
Changing how you look at a situation can give you incredible relief from stress. Ask yourself how you will be looking at your life situation a few years from now. Picture the worst thing that can happen and come to terms with it. Then create a strategy on how you would handle that situation.
4. Celebrate
Instead of focusing on everything that’s going wrong, switch your approach and make a list of all your past and current wins.
5. Simplify
Your brain is wired to solve basic problems. Essentially, it needs to decide between a fight-or-flight response. Create and write a simple but efficient action plan for the next 30 days, which will leave you with a sense of control and certainty.
6. Take action
After getting clear on your action plan, execute. Focus on the process of your strategy on a micro level, instead of the bigger picture and vision, which might seem unreachable and intimidating.
This article originally appeared in the Fall 2018 issue of SUCCESS magazine and has been updated. Photo by @natabene/Twenty20
