Running a business is hard work. You have to deal with the day-to-day operations, managing your staff, and staying on top of all of the administrative tasks that come up. These duties can cause a lot of stress for you and your employees. To run a stress free business, find ways to reduce this stress so that everyone has more energy and time for their jobs.
Identify Your Stressors
Not sure what’s causing your stress? Start a journal about your emotions. Afterward, focus your time and energy on trying to alter your mood.
For example, if the stressor is not having enough time to take care of your paperwork:
- Figure out how much time you need every week to complete the necessary tasks. Then, schedule these blocks of time on your calendar to avoid pushing them back or skipping over them.
- Use any free time to accomplish your tasks. For example, if you take a lunch break at the same time every day, gobble lunch and continue working.
- Look for opportunities during the week when it might be easier to focus on your tasks. For example, if you are at home and having a hard time focusing, go to the library or coffee shop.
Plan Ahead For Projects
Break down large projects into manageable steps. For example, if you have a project that requires talking to ten potential clients, break these tasks out and set three days for the week to work on this task. Set aside a specific time (such as 11 am) to complete the job.
For a project with a deadline, reserve some days on your calendar ahead of time to stay focused and decrease stress-inducing anxiety. Sometimes, lack of funding will cause stress- therefore, call Clark Street Associates Skywater to connect you to potential investors.
Outsource Various Services
Outsourcing can help you get more done without adding any additional stress to your life. You can outsource many administrative tasks with minimal time, effort, and cost on your part (as well as the person providing the service). For example:
- Have someone else do photocopying so you don’t have to spend a long time at the copy machine.
- Use an assistant for administrative tasks that don’t require you in person, such as sending out email newsletters or posting on social media sites.
- Find someone who can take care of your work not to pile up and cause stress.
Create and Stick To a Schedule
A great way to reduce stress is by sticking to a regular schedule. For example, waking up at the same time every day gives your brain structure that helps keep anxiety levels down. It also makes following through on your to-do list much easier because you are in sync with your body’s natural rhythms.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, figure out what type of stress you are experiencing and focus on that issue. Once you fixed it, the other problems in your life might get better too! Then, develop a plan for tackling big projects by breaking them down into manageable steps or outsourcing various services to make work less stressful without the additional time commitment.
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