Entrepreneurs must master self-motivation and self-regulation to handle the ups and downs of business and life. We all face these challenges, but small business owners face a stronger need to consistently maintain a positive mindset and hustle. Their business depends on it. Here are the Top 10 ways entrepreneurs make themselves feel better about everyday challenges as shared by our readers.
We don’t have the solution to all of life’s problems, but we do have solutions for some of them!
So what’s wrong?
We have a solution – or at least some great advice and creative thinking to spur you on to better days.
Don’t like it? Try it. Try something else.
We’re here to suggest and share what works for others.
Step out of your comfort zone – or step into it.
The point is: Do what works for you, but do it.
Insights & ideas from successful entrepreneurs.
10 Solutions to 10 Everyday Problems!
1.) You feel angry.
Solution – Sing
You need to get your feelings out, but you also need to control your anger. When anger controls you it’s called lost productivity.
- Hum.
- Whistle.
- Sing with the song on the radio.
It’s important for an entrepreneur to maintain excitement for the business, but creating something great takes more than excitement. It takes money, skill, and partnerships. At times you’ll be overwhelmed, and the actions of others can anger you.
When you start your own business you know the workload will be high, and you’ll intend to take breaks. You’ll anticipate hurdles too, but sometimes emotions get the best of you – or someone else and it impacts you.
Music is a great go-to. Maybe you have a song and know the words. Maybe you’ll sing words and add a tune.
Whatever works. Just sing it loud. Sing it proud.
2.) You’re overthinking.
Solution – Write
- Write down what’s bothering you. Get it out, then throw that paper away.
- Go to your business plan – or your weekly or daily plan. Find what’s hanging you up. Understand what’s making you overthink. Add a solution in the form of a SMART goal. Now execute.
Writing can unlock ideas that might:
- create work-life balance
- take you to the next level
- lead you to your next big idea
- or simply aspire for more
Don’t let overthinking discourage you or leave you afraid to take on new challenges because you think you can’t handle it. Don’t let overthinking diminish your light.
3.) You are burned out.
Solution – Walk
Even just a few minutes of walking starts you down a literal path and a figurative one of feeling better.
Get outside if you can.
Feel the heat. Feel the cold. Feel the wind. Feel the rain. Catch snowflakes on your shoulder or tongue as you walk up the block or down the driveway and back.
If you can’t, take that same break inside.
- Walk up steps.
- Walk in place.
Don’t make it a big deal. If you literally circle the house or your building, it’s a break from burnout.
Burnout can leave you feeling like tough times won’t pass – left with gloom and a fear of failure.
Burning the candle at both ends can help on a temporary basis, but it’s not a long-term work strategy. Know this. Save your self-confidence and your mental health.
Use your planning process and create a sustainable schedule to bring your business ideas to life.
Look at what Joseph Masaba captured on a simple, brief walk outside…
4.) You’re anxious.
Solution – first, Breathe
The first step is that simple, yes.
Does it solve whatever is causing you to be anxious? No. Probably not. But does it give you a fighting chance to control the feeling? Yes.
- Breathe.
- Pull up the Calm app.
- Google breathing exercises.
- Take a deep breath, hold for 5 and exhale for 5.
If longer is better, great. Do it. If longer makes you anxious and feel like you are dying then count and hold for 5.
Anxiety is different than stress, so your next step is to do a deeper dive into your life, your habits, and longer term solutions. Maybe you need life adjustments involving sleep habits, or maybe you will need therapy to talk it out and figure out a better plan. First, just breathe and get through this moment, so you can plan a time to take that 2nd step within your support system.
Your success or failure doesn’t depend upon this very moment. Your personal growth doesn’t either. Let that thought be a motivator for you. Right now, it’s time to get through this moment.
5.) You’re stressed.
Solution – Exercise
Stress differs from anxiety in that it is caused by an outside event. For example, it’s a reaction to unexpected traffic causing you to miss an important appointment vs. a longer term feeling of unexplained dread.
How you handle the situation that caused the stress is personal and unique to that situation, but you can deal with the physical result of stress through exercise.
What form of exercise depends on your health.
- It could be hitting the weight room or going for a run.
- It could be a bike ride on a safe street or speed walking around the block.
- It could be holding a kettle bell and doing 3 sets of 10 swings.
- It could be 15 minutes of stretching or yoga.
- It could be 10 second increments on a stationary bike you never rode before. (I did say 10 second increments.)
Whatever you do – Do it.
If you do nothing – Do something.
Don’t let stress cause procrastination.
6.) You’re sad.
Solution – Express gratitude
It’s important. If you’re not sure where to start, consider:
- who helped you
- how you make a difference
- who your products and services help
- your milestones achieved and upcoming
- expert advice that got you moving forward
- or in the right headspace
- or focused on new challenges
- send a text expressing appreciation
- write a thank you note
- write a newsletter
7.) You are lazy today.
Solution – Take a cool shower
You could take a cold shower, but I can’t, so I recommend a cool shower.
Whatever… you’ll feel a jolt from the cold. Wake up and take action.
- If you’re still pondering the cool shower, set an alarm on your phone.
- Make time so you don’t stress out later from the pressure of wasting time.
- Write a short to-do list and accomplish something. Make it work for you.
- We all have lazy days. If today is that day, plan it into your week. Just make sure you’re making up for it.
If you accomplish that short to-do list, you have less to make up.
When you start a business, part of the commitment you make of running a business in the first place is to keep focused and keep going.
You’re going to have lazy days. Just do not let them overshadow your business goals. Keep moving forward.
Use your support network!
8.) You’re impatient today – or typically.
Solution – Assume positive intent.
Patience is a virtue. Impatience is really not.
- Assume positive intent.
- If truly positive intent wasn’t there, then understand the motivation.
- Consider what you can control and how.
- Then how you will avoid whatever it was the next time.
- Reflect upon your progress and/or the progress of others.
- No progress? Reflect upon the issue and think through a plan to progress.
* Do know that taking steps 1-6 however quick DO COUNT as progress.
Impatience can actually hold you back. It makes you focus on the negative.
Choose the virtuous option!
9.) You ate too much.
Solution – Maintain healthy limits today.
We’re not talking you wanted to eat 1000 calories and you ate 1200.
We’re not talking you had some dessert.
We’re talking you overate, feel stuffed or otherwise uncomfortable and it’s impeding your ability to work.
Today:
- don’t let frustration take over your day
- don’t live on caffeine
- drink your water
- eat whole real food like unprocessed fruits and veggies
- lay off the high fats, salt, and simple sugars.
Being stuffed is a reminder about limits. It’s easy to get off track, but it can be easy to get back on track too. Just focus. Do what’s actually right for you vs. doing what you think you can get away with.
Budget your share of stomach as you budget anything else. You have so much space. Make good choices.
10.) You’re tired.
Solution – Stand and stretch.
If you can’t stand then stretch wherever you are. Limber up. Do 15 neck rolls.
It’s a temporary solution. Like when you are driving and the hot sun or too many hours on the road make you drowsy – small sips of ice water help you snap out of it.
Even the most successful business owner gets tired. It’s normal.
Knowing your personal needs is similar to knowing your business needs. If you are tired, there’s a reason for it. Plan to get rest.
Create a routine. Break a routine.
It’s personal to you, but the message is the same:
Acknowledge the problem and apply a solution.
No matter how simple, just breaking the pattern is a step toward resolving it. Use your entrepreneurial spirit!
Entrepreneurship is not just about the startup phase. It’s about your ability to make it happen day after day and get through the peaks and valleys.
When you get yourself under control you erase self-doubt that tries to creep in. You feel more confident and return to your objective, solution-oriented self.
If it’s different or more than you did yesterday, then guess what….. it’s different and more than you did yesterday.
You got this.
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