Being a leader is stressful. There is a lot weighing on your shoulders, and this year particularly has been a rough one for so many of us. We have been faced with some new challenges, and even the most calm and collected among us are bound to experience some anxiety.
This is normal. Your stress is real and your feelings are valid. Your goal should be to learn how to make peace with your business and soothe the anxious thoughts that pop in from time to time. So, today I want to share some of the ways that I and my business coaching clients help take control of anxiety before it takes over.
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1. Get Out of the Office.
Whether you are still going into the office or you are working from home these days, the concept is still the same. Get a change of scenery. Take a walk or work outside if the weather is nice. I decided that this year I would rent a cabin with my family for a few months and spend my winter somewhere warm. We are still able to socially distance, but the location and scenery are different. The change of location gives me the opportunity to explore new areas during my daily walks, and allows me to clear my head and focus on what’s really important for my business.
2. Celebrate Your Victories.
For many business owners, what you consider a victory this year may look different from what it was in years past. But taking the time every week to celebrate successes can go a long way to helping you alleviate your anxious thoughts and focus on the growth that you are creating for your company.
3. Stop Micromanaging.
When anxiety hits, it is easy to fall into a pattern of micromanagement. At the core of micromanagement is a lack of trust. And that doesn’t always mean that it’s of any fault of the employee. It may mean that as a business owner, you doubt your ability to hire and train your employees properly. Or you may struggle with trusting your ability to make decisions right now. Or perhaps you don’t trust in your ability to delegate projects, so you hover trying to give employees the proper guidance to finish the project. As a leader, it’s imperative that you practice trusting and believing in the team members whom you hire.
It’s important to understand the reason for your micromanaging and then work toward changing your behavior or thoughts surrounding the tasks at hand.
4. Remember Your “Why.”
My last tip on how to make peace with your anxious thoughts is to remember your why. When times get tough and the stress level increases, it’s important to remember why you started your business in the first place and what your overall goals are for yourself and your business. Once you are clear on the why, you are able to focus on the how.
Your anxiety is real. Use these tips and, if needed, don’t be afraid to reach out to a business coach or mentor to get a fresh perspective on your business and your obstacles. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes and ears is all you need to make a big difference in the path your business takes.