Working through tough times in business

Q AI feel like I am not taking control and leading the business the way I should? Can you give me some advice on how to recharge my batteries?

RUNNING your own business is one of the toughest jobs in the world. Even if you don’t do it all yourself, you worry about it all. Why can’t we get funding? Whom should we hire? Cashflow coming in? Supplier problems? How can we beat the competition? Should we change our pricing structure? Is this economy ever going to stabilise?

The pressure of business, the challenges of trying to manage cash flow and people and the sheer exhaustion of trying to keep the business afloat can take its toll on any business owner. Here are a few tips on what you can do when the pilot light goes out.

Have a Break

A break or get away from the business especially with family and friends can help you recharge.

Get a Mentor

Engage with a business coach or a mentor from your Local Enterprise Office. You will find it beneficial to have another person looking at the business with you, to see opportunities and to assess where everyone, including yourself, might improve or change their role.

Give Yourself a One on One

In this hectic, always-on world, we rarely have time to think things through. The result: We spin our wheels with unnecessary or even misguided activity. We fix problems for other people instead of ourselves. Allow yourself some structured time to think about what’s frustrating you and what’s holding back your business, take notes and then action them.

Exercise

Get to the gym or go for a brisk walk, or join a spin class or the nearest yoga studio. Take a swim or a run (without headphones) Give your brain a chance to drift, dream, and problem-solve. Pump up your confidence and clear out the cobwebs by raising your heartbeat instead of throwing in the towel.

All work and no play! …. Enjoy some fun times, playing with your children, cooking, shopping, or a social night out. When you enjoy yourself, you give yourself permission to escape from responsibility and reconnect with your joyful self.

Offload a little to a peer

Especially on tough days, Why not contact your mentor or another business owner or trusted advisor for a pep talk. Lunch, coffee, or even a quick Facebook chat or Skype session can do wonders when decisions don’t come easily, and frustration runs high.

Relax over Dinner

Have a nice dinner and some wine. Relax, and enjoy the moment and enjoy a nice meal. Your problems won’t go away, but it’ll be easier to reflect on the things in life that are worth working for.

Entrepreneurs usually thrive on the daily adrenaline rush, the highs and lows of building a business. But when the lows get too low and too frequent, give yourself a break.