10 Ways to Stop the Stress of Running a Small Biz & Calm Down

We all expect some stress in our working lives; that’s why it’s called work at the end of the day. That said, our work shouldn’t compromise our mental well-being or enjoyment of running the business of our dreams.

So, find out how to stop the stress of running your small business as you adjust your company in the first few years. Stop the Stress of Running a Small Biz and Relax a Little

If you are new to running a small business, you may feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Adjusting to your business will take time—it won’t happen overnight or in the first few months.

The Hard First Year In Business: Stress Relief Strategies

The first year in business is the most stressful. It’s scary to have to rely only on yourself to generate income.

You may wonder where your clients come from and if they will pay you on time.

Of course, if you had planned in advance, you would have had some cash to get you through those first few months.

Separate Financials from Your Small Biz

Separating your business and personal financials is not only good practice to keep everything organized, but it’s also a legal requirement. Unless you have clear evidence of money going into a separate account for business, you might not acquire a business account with the bank.

It’s essential not to take any business payments in your account or make business payments using your credit card. Doing so mixes things up and will probably require an audit at the year’s end, so save your stress levels and keep it all separate from the beginning.

Ways To Reduce Stress By Investing in Branded Apps

Take your business on the road with branded apps that improve customer experience and your bottom line. These days, almost everyone has a smartphone, and businesses are becoming increasingly localized, thanks to new SEO technologies and algorithm updates.

If you want your customers to find your restaurant easily or send them a promotion when they’re in the area, they need to have your branded app on their phones.

Take this mobile app for restaurants. It lets customers access unique restaurant menus while on the go.

Invest in Software to Stop The Stress of Running Your Business

When you’re setting up a small business, it’s all about saving money, which leads to an overarching DIY mindset. Unfortunately, this, in turn, leads to a lot of stress and a decline in your productivity.

The answer is to invest in software to automate your processes.

Softwares come in many different forms; there is software for accounting, marketing, project management, and more.

These software solutions provide excellent automation solutions for many repetitive tasks, freeing up time for you to attend to other tasks and grow the business. The same can be said for business equipment and tools. 

Invest in anything that can save you time, as time = money.

Keep on Learning to Stress Less

That DIY mindset kicks in again when it comes to industry education. So many free resources are available online that it makes sense to self-educate and save money.

That’s fine; self-education might save you money, but will it save you time and stress? Probably not.

The trouble with self-education is that it requires a lot of trial and error to get things right, so it’s sometimes better to pay someone who’s been over the course. Investing in courses to increase your industry knowledge is money upfront, but it probably saves you money overall.

One thing you may not realize is that you will need time to learn new things for your business. One of the things I quickly realized when I taught social media classes was that I had to learn more each time as things changed dramatically.

Learning is a never-ending cycle; the more you learn, the more you know you need to learn.

Today, that is common for all types of businesses. Things change quickly! You must keep up with the changes as your business may need to pivot and grow.

Productivity Strategies To Stop the Stress

Part of why we get stressed when running a business is managing our time and energy. If you check your e-mails in the morning, you might suffer from decision-fatigue throughout the day.

Therefore, leave your e-mails for around four hours before checking them; this helps alleviate the stress of decision fatigue and helps you get more done for your small business.

You will be able to relax at the end of the day!

Take Breaks So You Don’t Burn Out

That was my first two years in business, and I started to burn out. I was always working away.

I got up at 2 or 3 a.m. to start the day. Some days, I worked right until 7 or 8 p.m. at night.

Often, I ate lunch at the computer unless I was out visiting clients. Then, I ate on the drive to save time. 

As I’m entering my third year in business full-time, I’ve begun to shift my schedule. I sleep a little later, starting my day closer to 5 a.m. and finishing the workday by 5 or 6 p.m.

I started to feel better and become more creative in my client work.

Reading blog posts like this one from The Personal Growth Channel has made me realize I must make some changes.

I knew I would burn out if I continued to do it ALL every day.

So, learn from me, and don’t do it all in your business and burn yourself out. Make time for yourself to take it easy by taking a break.

Take Care of Your Health to Stop the Stress

Now, working all the time is not the best for your health. Especially if you are sitting at your desk for hours on end. I started to have issues with my back, with a herniated disk, and had to get costly injections.

After all, I thought to myself, it was only a few years ago that I walked a 26-mile marathon. Now, I could barely walk. Yes, it’s hard to believe!

Not only that, but according to Better Health, sitting or lying down for too long increases your risk of chronic health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Too much sitting can also be bad for your mental health.

Being active is not as complicated as you think. Exercise and stress relief go hand in hand.

There are many simple ways to include physical activity in your day. One that I loved to do was walk the dog.

To become healthier as you run your business, be sure to take a break, walk around, and avoid sitting for hours on end. You will thank yourself later.

Hire Help to Stop the Stress

You really can’t do it all alone if you work 10 or more hours per day. I learned that quickly as I adjusted to being in business for myself. I hired a few freelancers within the first few months.

However, they did not all last. I had to do training, and those doing the work didn’t have their hearts in it. So, I’ve had several freelancers since and now have a better feel for who is more qualified and likely to do the work.

Another tip is always having someone on hand, as people have life situations that may take them away from work. Some have sick children, others may have elderly parents to tend to, and others may become sick themselves.

It’s better to have an extra freelancer or employee than having to do everything yourself when life gets in the way. As you know, life does get in the way sometimes!

Lisa, Small Biz Tipster

If you go on a vacation for an extended period or decide to retire, look for someone who can take over the business someday.

Adjusting to Your Business Clients

Another lesson I’ve learned in the first two years of business is that it is okay to fire a client. Not all clients are created equal.

If you spend more time on one client to please them and nothing you do is pleasing them, it is time to move on. Don’t waste time on this one client!

Furthermore, you can upsell another client or find new ones to replace the one making you miserable. 

One of the advantages of being in business for yourself is that you get to pick who to work with. You can pick and choose your clientele.

This one tip will make you and your business much calmer and happier in both your business and your life.

Charge Enough to Make Money for Your Business and Stop The Stress

Always remember, you are in business to make money. Of course, it’s natural to want to help people. Especially today with the pandemic crisis that hit back almost 2 years now. Some businesses need more help than others.

But if you don’t charge enough, you will begin to resent the work, which is not suitable for you, your clients, or your business.

If you are unsure of rates, charge a little higher. It’s easier to come down than to go up in price.

If you don’t charge enough, you will also find yourself not doing as much for clients. So, be sure to set the rate structure right from the start. Research what others in your niche are charging and know the data points for your products and services.

Therefore, the rate structure for your products and/or services is one of the toughest areas for adjusting to your business as you grow.

Lisa, Small Biz Tipster

Realize It Will All Get Done and Relax a Little

I’ve come to realize that it will all get done in time. I don’t have to work from dawn to dusk to make it happen. The same goes for you; you must work smarter to stop the stress.

Once you realize this, you won’t waste so much time in your day.

Learning your best work hours is really important for getting the harder things done. Also, knowing when you procrastinate and when you need help is important.

Being calmer in your business as time passes helps you balance your business and your life.

Lastly, remember to take time off from time to time and take a vacation. Shutting off from your business will help you focus better when you return to it. 

Adjusting your business to your life will be easier after some time off, as it will remove the stress of your business.

As we know, life’s too short for all work and no play.

inally, Your Turn: How to Stop The Stress and Stressors of Everyday Life

I’d love to know how you are doing in your small business today. How long did it take to adjust your business to be more comfortable? Is stress worse than you expected?

What tip has made the best impact on your business?

Do you feel more laid back as time goes on to run your small business? Let’s discuss this in the comment section below.