My friend Maya is a passionate entrepreneur who successfully launched her own top-ranked design firm. She was the talk of the town when she started her business, and doubtless, there wasn’t an entrepreneur who didn’t envy her.
However, behind her market dominance and loyal customer base, people didn’t know that Maya struggled with anxiety and stress. The long hours and pressure to meet deadlines took a toll on her mental health.
According to research published in Frontiers of Psychology, Maya’s experience is not unique. Entrepreneurs face significantly higher stress levels than other workers, with alarming consequences: anxiety, depression, and negative coping mechanisms.
So, how can creative business owners like Maya thrive without sacrificing their mental wellbeing? In this post, we’ll delve into practical strategies for recognizing the threats to wellbeing and finding balance in the chaotic world of entrepreneurship.
1. Embracing Imperfection
Perfectionism can be a double-edged sword that worsens mental stress and anxiety. While striving for excellence may seem admirable, it can also be counterproductive, leading to burnout, decreased productivity, and emotional exhaustion.
To mitigate these negative effects and reduce mental stress, it’s essential to learn to manage perfectionism. Start by practicing mindfulness: slow down, focus on the present, and acknowledge that “today was a good day.” Remind yourself that there’s always tomorrow.
By adopting this mindset, you can tone down perfectionism, alleviate anxiety, and cultivate a healthier mental state, ultimately boosting your resilience and overall wellbeing.
Emma, a meticulous copywriter, struggled with perfectionism, which had become a significant source of mental stress and anxiety. She would spend hours staring at her laptop screen, scanning the same sentence repeatedly, and exhausting herself searching for the perfect words.
Her research often involved digging through dictionaries and books, leaving her drained and frustrated.
Unknown to Emma, perfectionism had become her nemesis, hindering her productivity and overall wellbeing. One day, she took a deep breath, closed her laptop, and declared, “Today was a good day; there’s always tomorrow.”
This mindset shift marked the beginning of her transformation. Emma started prioritizing tasks, delegating smaller ones to her team, and embracing the value of collaboration. As she continued this habit, she felt a weight lift, and her mental stress began to alleviate.
With her newfound perspective, Emma scheduled meditation and yoga sessions to cultivate calm amidst chaos. Her decisions became sharper, and her leadership more respected. When a client requested last-minute changes, Emma’s initial instinct was to panic.
However, she paused and asked herself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” This brief reflection empowered her to make the necessary changes, and satisfy the client.
Emma realized that imperfection wasn’t failure; it was growth, and that embracing it could lead to increased resilience, creativity, and success.
2. Exercise
The process of embracing your imperfections is easier with exercise, as regular physical activity is a potent antidote to mental stress.
Exercise has been shown to decrease tension and alleviate anxiety, promoting a sense of calm and wellbeing.
By incorporating movement into your daily routine, you can short-circuit the negative effects of stress and cultivate resilience.
You don’t need to spend hours at the gym to reap the benefits. Even a 30-minute walk can be sufficient to release endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers.
These mood boosting chemicals not only reduce physical discomfort but also increase mental and physical vigor. By keeping moving, you can break the cycle of mental stress, boost your energy levels, and enhance your overall wellbeing.
For example, Alex, a programmer in Silicon Valley, once slumped in his chair, his eyes bloodshot from staring at code. Anxiety clawed at his chest. A friend suggested a walk outside.
Alex hesitated, but then laced up his shoes. The fresh air hit him like a ton of bricks. As he strolled through the park, his mind cleared. Endorphins kicked in, lifting his mood.
Alex returned to his desk with renewed energy and tackled the code. Despite the critical deadline looming, he found the calmness needed to prioritize tasks and delegate effectively. His team delivered on time, and the client raved about the results.
3. Delegate and Unburden
As an entrepreneur, managing mental stress requires prioritizing tasks effectively. Focusing on high-impact projects is crucial, but getting bogged down in smaller tasks can hinder progress. Learn to identify and delegate $1000 tasks that divert your attention from $100,000-plus projects and the bigger picture.
Delegation is key to unburdening yourself from mental stress and cultivating a healthy work environment. Trusting others to handle smaller jobs fosters creativity, promotes teamwork, and improves mental health.
By building a strong, capable team, you’ll not only reduce your workload but also gain valuable perspective, freedom, and peace of mind.
Effective delegation empowers you to focus on strategic growth, leading to increased productivity and overall wellbeing.
as a Creative Buisness Owner
For example, Rachel, a project manager at a leading tech firm inspired by Google’s collaborative culture, was drowning in mental stress. She micromanaged every project, suffocating her team’s ideas with her need for control. Burnout loomed, fueled by anxiety and tension. One day, she called a team meeting.
“I trust you,” Rachel told them. “Take ownership of these projects.” Her team’s faces lit up. Rachel focused on high-priority tasks, feeling the weight lift.
Her mental clarity improved, and stress levels decreased. A team member approached Rachel with concerns; she listened, offering guidance without taking over.
The project flourished, and Rachel realized delegation wasn’t weakness; it was strength. By embracing Google’s principles of empowerment and teamwork, she reduced her mental stress, cultivating a healthier work-life balance.
4. Connect with Fellow Entrepreneurs
Connecting with fellow entrepreneurs who understand your challenges is incredibly empowering when it comes to delegating tasks. They’ve likely faced similar struggles and can offer valuable insights, empathy, and support.
Sharing your experiences with fellow entrepreneurs can be therapeutic, helping you process and overcome mental stress. Hearing their stories and strategies can provide new perspectives, inspiration, and practical advice.
By building a supportive network, you’ll gain a safety net of understanding peers who can offer guidance, encouragement, and motivation. This community can help you stay resilient, focused, and motivated, even in the face of adversity.
For example, a start-up entrepreneur, Jamie had been crumbling under the weight of his startup. As an Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) member, he’d always pushed himself to innovate, but lately, the pressure had become suffocating. One evening, his mentor, Rachel, sat him down over coffee.
“Jamie, you’re not alone,” she said gently. “Talk to others who’ve been in your shoes.”
Jamie hesitated, then attended an EO conference. Over lunch, he shared his struggles with fellow entrepreneurs. Their nods and empathetic smiles put him at ease.
“I thought I was crazy for feeling this way,” Jamie confessed.
“You’re not crazy,” replied Mike, a seasoned entrepreneur. “You’re normal. We’ve all been there.”
As Jamie listened to their stories, his tension began to dissipate. He realized he didn’t have to carry the burden alone.
A few days later, a peer, Emily, called, struggling with a similar issue. Jamie shared his experience, offering words of encouragement.
“Thanks, Jamie,” Emily said, her voice filled with gratitude. “Just talking to you made me feel better.”
Jamie smiled, feeling a weight lift. He’d found a support network, and with it, a renewed sense of purpose.
5. Pursue Passions Outside Work
Another benefit of connecting with fellow entrepreneurs, is that together you can engage in activities outside of work. This can be a potent antidote to mental stress.
Which is pursuing other passions is a principle Google embodies through its 20% Time policy. This initiative allows employees to dedicate 20% of their work hours to side projects, fostering creativity and innovation.
Pursuing a passion or hobby provides a much-needed break, allowing the mind to pause and recharge.
Just like recess during childhood, taking on a hobby or sport offers an opportunity for carefree enjoyment, shifting focus away from work-related pressures.
By prioritizing joy and relaxation, you can regain perspective and reduce mental stress. Google’s emphasis on work-life balance is reflected in its on-site fitness classes, meditation rooms, and flexible work schedules.
Embracing activities that bring happiness can help you approach challenges with renewed energy and clarity, leading to improved overall wellbeing.
Remember, unless you’re working on a life-saving mission, it’s just a company – and maintaining a healthy balance is essential.
6. Decisiveness Over Indecision
For entrepreneurs, indecision can exacerbate mental stress. When faced with uncertainty, taking decisive action can be a potent antidote.
According to a study by Gallup, decisive leaders are 63% more likely to have engaged employees and 71% more likely to have high-performing teams.
While the outcome may not be perfect, action breaks the cycle of analysis paralysis, reducing feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.
Examples of successful decisive leaders include Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group, who emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks, and Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, who famously encouraged innovation through bold decision-making.
By embracing decisiveness, entrepreneurs can mitigate mental stress, foster a positive work environment, and drive business growth. According to the World Health Organization, every $1 invested in mental health support yields a $4 return in productivity.
Conclusion
Mental stress affects entrepreneurs and their teams, with alarming rates reported in the United States (70%), the United Kingdom (64%), and South Africa (53%), where workplace stress and anxiety are increasingly recognized as major concerns.
However, by embracing decisive action, prioritizing self-care, and fostering a supportive work environment, leaders can mitigate its impact. Companies like Google, Patagonia, and REI have already recognized the importance of work-life balance and mental wellbeing.
As we strive to create healthier, more productive workplaces, we must ask: What proactive steps will you take today to prioritize mental wellness and break the cycle of stress in your own life and organization?
