BE HAPPY AND STOP STRESSING

Running a small business takes blood, sweat and tears. It also takes considerable amounts of energy.

According to research from Opus Energy, three-quarters of small business owners are losing sleep. A third fear their finances and costs, a quarter worry about work/life balance and a similar number fret about attracting customers.

We’ve teamed up with Nikki Flanders, chief operating officer at Opus Energy, for her top tips on how entrepreneurs can maintain a better work/life balance. BE STRUCTURED Despite many people starting their firm to gain control, the strain of running a business puts pressure on home life. Personal time is the most common thing to be sacrificed. It’s crucial to remember that time away from work is needed for head space if nothing else, so managing your day is key.

Try to introduce structure. Work up a routine so you can have family time or time for yourself on a regular basis. That could mean doing the most important jobs in the morning or delegating more. MAKING MISTAKES IS OK It’s natural to make mistakes and we all do it. So, if something doesn’t go your way, learn for the future and don’t stew over it. Go for a walk, talk to friends or family, or simply write experiences down. TAKE HOLIDAYS Getting away and leaving the phone at home is a must. Most of us live by our phone, so leave the emails for a few days, put on an out of office and make the most of your time – you’ll feel better for it. GET A MENTOR You may be a one-man operation, but that doesn’t mean you need to work as an island. It’s so important to seek outside help to fill your skills gap. Many small business owners tell us if they could do it all again, they’d ask for more help, particularly early on.

There are some great free sites such as the Federation of Small Businesses or Brighter Business. Think about running your business plan by someone who’s had a success and knows what to look for. Collaboration makes us all stronger.