Stress-Free Entrepreneurship: Tips for Managing Work-Related Stress

Avoid Perfectionism

When combined with the natural process associated with being an entrepreneur, perfectionism can be an exhausting and unrelenting cycle. The constant strive for perfection causes stress and drives you into a whirlwind of unattainable expectations. High performance already requires a lot of work, and perfection takes even more. If delivering high-quality results in your business already takes a considerable toll on your creative energy, then a seedless quest for perfection can only result in burnout. Take Steve Jobs, for example. While his drive towards perfection helped create some of the world’s most beautiful and innovative products, it also led to significant tension with his employees.

Time for Self-care

Stress and anxiety can weave havoc on an entrepreneur’s life, creating immense pressure on their mind, body, and spirit. Thus, it is important to practice self-care often and take some time to reflect. Listening to music, exercising, healthy eating, and taking long walks are all habits that can aid entrepreneurs in feeding their minds, fueling their souls, and strengthening their bodies.

For Erin Miller, CEO of Erin Miller INC, Niksen is a concept she embodies religiously. A Dutch concept of literally doing nothing, Niksen has serious stress-reducing benefits. It gives your mind time to wander rather than focus on the detail. Whether it is daydreaming or simply looking out the window, this act of slowing down is substantial as it contributes to happiness, increased creativity, and overall emotional and physical health.

Change How You View Mistakes

Mistakes are inevitable, and for entrepreneurs, making friends with failure is a priority. Research shows that over 50% of small businesses fail within four years. This, of course, should not dissuade future entrepreneurs from creating the next big thing. However, changing how we view mistakes is crucial to eliminating stress and achieving success. 
As Elon Musk says, “there are times when you should give up because you’re doing something in error. But if you’re convinced that what you’re doing is correct, you should never give up.” Failure forces us to pause. It gives us time to reflect on what we are doing and consider whether we should be pivoting, continuing, or giving up. This eliminates stress and makes us consider, “How badly do I want this?”

 Build Strong Relationships and Networks

While it feels safe to spend your time with the same groups of people, this is not how a successful network is formed. Leadership is all about long-lasting impact, and the most influential entrepreneurs build open, diverse networks and relationships.

Relationships are about giving and taking, yet it is much more effective to demonstrate kindness and be a giver than a taker. Kindness and generosity block toxic emotions, including envy, resentment, and depression. Studies have shown that gratitude causes a 23% decrease in stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. Try to approach relationships as a way to help others and connect on a deeper level. Can you mentor them? Can you recommend a resource to learn an important skill? Can you support them through valuable advice?

Giving to others makes them feel valued and appreciated.

They will trust that you have their best interests at heart and confide in you, and in turn, having your team members support you will enhance your ability to lead and reduce your stress levels.
Stay Positive and Open

 For Melissa Larkin, positivity is essential for stress-free entrepreneurship. The Founder and Managing Director of the Adelaide-based law firm Peripheral blue believe that successful entrepreneurs see the positive in every situation – a vital skill to cope with the challenges of the business world. Research in the field of psychology asserts that positive thinking can improve resilience and enhance one’s capacity to learn, grow, and effectively solve problems.

 Larkin believes that successful, stress-free entrepreneurs are the ones who look after their well-being. They commit to a life of personal and professional growth. Keep evaluating your progress and be willing to make necessary changes to succeed.

Beyond the perceived luxury and bravado, working in entrepreneurship entails massive levels of constant stress. Being a successful entrepreneur means taking care of your mental and physical health. If you are not careful, stress can destroy your efforts at business. Follow the tips in this article, and you will keep yourself in a mental state that will enable you to succeed.

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