3 Steps to Manage Stress and Build Resilience

Entrepreneurs often carry a lot of stress. They can feel isolated, bottling up anxieties while trying to project strength and optimism. It’s important for entrepreneurs to be aware of their stress, find ways to manage it and build resilience. Steps for managing stress and building resilience:

1. Evaluate your stress level

It’s important to regularly weigh your stress level. A good time for a check-in is when you wake up in the morning. Ask yourself how you feel. Check in with yourself instead of your phone. A lack of selfawareness is a common problem for people whose stress has built up excessively. We’re so busy being busy that we’re not aware of how we’re feeling.

2. Identify causes and solutions

It’s useful to take a solution-based approach to stress, much as you might when solving a business challenge. Here are some common stressors and possible solutions. - Business problems

Whether it’s cash flow, hiring or an investment decision, it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.

Solutions: Recognize when a problem is beyond your capacity to handle well. If needed, hire an expert or business coach to help you find solutions.

If you have too much on your plate, consider delegating some of them.

Take occasional breaks through the workday. Breaks are a great way to allow us not to be stressed.

- Work-life balance

One of the most common causes of burnout for entrepreneurs is an unhealthy work-life balance. Solutions: It’s important to set boundaries for your personal life. This will help you be more productive at work and maintain healthy personal relationships.

- Isolation, poor communication

Entrepreneurs often feel isolated, unable to talk about business anxieties and have a desire to project vision and strength. Solutions: It’s important to create a business culture that allows good communication and fosters employee engagement. Give feedback in a constructive way.

- Lack of sleep

Feeling tired often goes hand-inhand with stress. Getting plenty of shut eye is key for managing stress well.

Solutions: Try to get outside more often and get some sun on your face. Spending time in a natural setting is a great way to lift your spirits.

- Technology

Constant connectedness is a growing cause of stress and depression.

Solutions: Find ways to limit device use, especially when not at work. This could include turning off notifications, putting your phone on silent, or not checking email at home.