January 5, 2020 | Mason Roberts
Being a business owner can be hard. Do not expect anything less. There will be times when you feel like giving up, or second guess if this is even the career for you. If you’ve always been passionate about this field, then you are probably just feeling the stress. You are feeling the weight of your responsibilities on your shoulders and do not know what to do about it. This leads you to believe you are unhappy, but it is not that simple. You are likely just stressed. Be proactive and change it. Put yourself in good spirits. You are responsible for you. Make your happiness in business a top priority.
1. Turn Your Devices Off
The reason you may be feeling a bit overwhelmed is because of the quick communication you have to your business. Unlike how it was years ago, the tasks you must complete are at your fingertips, as well as those who want to get in touch with you. Easy access means that your phone is likely going off constantly. Who can be truly happy when constantly being nagged? It is just stressful, and not healthy for the mind. When you decide that you need some downtime, be sure it is actually downtime. Silence everything. Spend time with those who are important to you. Do something you enjoy. Do anything but pick up your device and work when you swore to yourself that you would take time to relax.
2. Help Someone Else
Oftentimes, when a person has been running a business, doing the same thing day in and out, they begin to feel a bit replaceable. The tasks feel second nature to them, so are they really that important? While this most definitely is not true, these thoughts will not go away on their own. You may need to feel worthy. Make it matter. Help another person. If you are a successful business owner, you must have skills that are worth sharing, even if it is just your knowledge. Do what you can for others who are eager to be educated. You can even do something completely out of your field, like feeding the homeless or volunteering somewhere. Whatever you choose to do, be sure it is fulfilling.
3. Think The Crisis Over
A crisis may feel like the end of the world or the end of your career. It is not. When a crisis occurs, ask yourself if it is really as earth-shattering as it may seem. Chances are that it is not. It isn’t even close. Do what you can to fix your issue. Do not let it control you. That is where many business owners make a mistake. They let an issue take over rather than running the show as they should. If you want to be on top of your game, do what you can to be the boss in every aspect of the word. Be the boss of your life as you are with your business. When you are faced with a crisis, think quick on your feet and make an effective change. That is the best you can do, so there is no sense in stressing over it.
4. Get A Hobby
You might not be happy in your business because you let it become your life. Not everyone can take big doses of one thing 24/7 without becoming tired of it. You may be one of those people. No matter how passionate you may be about your business, it may become too much at times. This is when you should take a step back. Do something to distract yourself. Get a hobby you can be equally as passionate about. It does not even have to be something you are good at. You can be extremely terrible at it, so long as you still enjoy it. For example, take painting. There are so many people who enjoy painting but are not necessarily good at it. They find it freeing and soothing, so continue to do it when life becomes a bit too hectic. Another example may be singing. Almost everyone sings in the shower, maybe even to the tops of their lungs, but a small portion of those people may actually be talented. They do it because it is fun. It helps them get away from their lives, even if it is just for the duration of a 10-minute shower.
5. Set Realistic Goals
Making realistic goals is a big part of staying positive. If you aspire to do too much too soon, you will fail, becoming unhappy as a result. Make goals for the present. Decide where you want to be in a week, month, and year, based on your present situation. Be honest with yourself. If you write down a goal that you know you are not capable of completing at the time for whatever reason, nix it. It is not worth the disappointment. Instead of putting a goal that you know you will not meet, write one that will help you get to where you need to be to do it. Write up progress aspirations. In doing this, your dreams will come true without you even realizing it.
6. Do Less
Stress is a big part of being unhappy. Overpacking your schedule is a big part of being stressed. If you know this is what you are doing wrong, the solution is simple. Do less. Much less. Your business will still get to where you want it to be, just at a more doable pace. If you do too much too soon, you will burnout. There are no ifs, ands, or buts about it. You will feel the pressure, and it will affect you in a negative way, as well as your business. Take time to get your head together. Do as much as you can, and save the rest for another day. You have all the time in the world. It will work out if you take it at a normal pace.
