Starting out on your own as an entrepreneur is both an exciting and very stressful time. Entrepreneurs and stress go hand in hand. Despite the rewards ahead, you will be faced with a number of ‘what if’ thoughts. What if my business idea fails? What if I can’t manage my workload? What if money becomes a problem? These and others are common stressors for entrepreneurs. I’ll take a look at some of the major stressors in this article, with a few handy tips to help you deal with them if they are relevant to you.

What if I fail?

You’ve probably read articles telling you how 90% of businesses fail within the first year. No wonder many entrepreneurs stress about becoming part of this statistic. Still, it probably hasn’t happened to yet and provided you put the hard work in, with a decent business plan to work with, you are minimizing the chances of this happening to you. You might fail, but then again you might not. Don’t stress about what hasn’t happened yet, and focus on the present, working hard to secure a successful future.

What if I don’t make a profit?

You need money coming in to keep your business growing, but if you are running at a loss consistently, or you are coming close to doing so, it is understandable that your stress levels will be high. However, it’s important to remember that most businesses experience a loss within the first year. Provided you have a marketing plan in place, and a budget plan to ensure you aren’t overspending in areas where you don’t need to, you should eventually see the tide turn and make a profit. If you do hit a month where you are struggling, cut costs where you can, and chase up any late-paying clients. If you need a more substantial injection of cash to be able to grow your business, you might consider taking out a flexible PayPal business loan. An accountant is the best resource to advise you on the best way to deal with any shortfalls in your finances.

What if I can’t manage my workload?

There is a lot of work involved in getting a business off the ground, so this will be a constant worry. Still, you can make life easier for yourself. Prioritize the tasks that need to be completed first, and leave those that aren’t restricted by time until another day. If you constantly struggle with your workload, you should practice the art of delegating. Hiring staff is one answer, as is outsourcing to another company. Then give yourself a break occasionally. By finding ways to relax after a stressful day, you should be able to handle your workload better when you return to it with a rested body and mind. Strive to avoid hitting burnout, which will harm both you and your business.

Running your own business is indeed stressful. By following our this advice, some of the stress is likely to be alleviated. You should also seek support from others; those relevant people in your life who can help you deal with the difficulties, and who will calm you down when your stress levels get high.

Have any further tips? Feel free to share how you have overcome the stress in your business life.



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