Most solopreneurs start their own businesses in pursuit of their dreams, but when stress begins taking a toll, instead of a dream-come-true, work can be more of a nightmare. Compounding the issue, you carry the full weight of your successes and failures, and sometimes the stress of carrying that burden can get in the way of your plans and goals. Here’s how to de-stress so you can retain the joy that sparked your pursuits in the first place.
Too Many Hats
One of the biggest stressors solopreneurs face is stretching themselves too thin. If you’re guilty of being a jack-of-all-trades, it’s important to lighten your load. Think about cutting down on some of the duties relating to your business. As Entrepreneur explains, you can outsource many mundane tasks, like bookkeeping and appointment-setting, allowing you to do other things, whether it’s fleshing out an idea in the back of your mind or landing the next big client.
Thanks to the gig economy, you can hire people with unique talents and abilities to take on projects and tasks, from the most mundane to the most specialized. Simply cutting the number of hats you wear can cut stress at the same time.
Let Your Website Do More
If your website is limited, dated, clunky, or if you simply don’t have one yet, you’re missing out. As Verisign points out, consumers these days turn to websites to learn more about businesses, products and services. If they don’t find your company, or your website isn’t up to snuff, you lose credibility in their eyes. What’s more, it’s a mode of outreach that can simplify your marketing strategies and even broaden your customer base.
Thankfully, you don’t need to be a computer whiz to bring things up to speed. You can hire a WordPress, PHP, or Javascript developer to take your website to the next level — or build it from the ground up — thereby increasing your business’s ROI. Instead of hiring a full-time employee, look for an IT staffing alternative from job platforms like Upwork. A little research ensures you outsource to someone who can deliver as promised.
Add to Your Toolkit
Better efficiency and quicker work are always a boon, and as The Balance explains, there are tools technology brings that can take your productivity up a notch. For the tasks you aren’t outsourcing, the meetings you’re attending on the fly, and processes you’re streamlining, there is something to fit virtually every need and budget. Think through what you’re doing routinely, what you wish you were doing, and explore the many ways tech tools can alleviate your workload — and thereby your stress.
Just keep in mind that despite all the tech tools available, there’s no substitute for in-person meetings. The good news is that you don’t need to use your office for meeting space when you can find flexible workspaces in your area. Whether you just need a small room to meet with a few people, a larger conference room, a private office, or just a freestanding desk, there are many options available starting at just $25 per day. And when you want to relax after a long week, $5 Friday with Beer 30 social hour can help you get into weekend mode.
More Is More
Some studies indicate stress can substantially reduce heart and lung health, increase anxiety and depression, lead to digestive issues, and trigger headaches. It can make it hard to concentrate, cause mood swings, and lead to reduced job performance and more use of sick time. It’s easy to see how that can all be damaging to your business, so when stress is piling on, getting it under control is a must.
In addition to work-related changes, some lifestyle adjustments can be a huge help with stress. Consider getting more exercise, even if it’s just taking a brisk walk or using a stability ball instead of an office chair. Another idea is to learn some breathing exercises, which you can do anytime you feel a need, whether you’re stuck in a traffic jam or prepping for a big meeting. And when you’re feeling really fatigued by the stress of the day, WorkHub’s nap room is waiting to help you recharge. By corralling your stress, you can feel better and work better, now and in the future.
If you’re taking on more all the time without finding ways to de-stress, it can take a toll on your health. Consider outsourcing some tasks, put your website to work, add some tech tools to raise productivity, and make some lifestyle adjustments. For the sake of yourself and your business, cut your stress levels, and you’re sure to enjoy more success on all fronts.
And if you need more motivation for your solopreneur journey, definitely join our email list for solopreneurs here!
This was a guest post kindly written by Julie Morris, life and career coach, from http://juliemorris.org/
