Setting up and running a small startup business tends to be thought of as a glitzy affair. Many people are coming up with money-making ideas and want to turn them into a reality because they believe being an entrepreneur will provide them with larger-than-life experiences.
A lot of people see the enriching lives of many entrepreneurs on social media who show off their “freedom, independence and grandeur”. However, the truth is divorced from the complete reality. People often fail to understand that this kind of life makes up a very small minority of entrepreneurs.
According to a report by https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, “financial distress is the major cause of poor mental health of small business entrepreneurs”. Many entrepreneurs also report a lifetime history of ADHD, depression, substance use, and bipolar diagnosis. The constant fear of failure, managing finances, workforce management, and pressure to perform are some of the other crucial factors that are experienced by growth-ready Indian entrepreneurs.
It results in low productivity, absenteeism, zero focus, and no motivation that can leave a negative impact on any startup business.
Being an entrepreneur isn`t just about waking up on a remote island and sending out a few emails before hopping on a private jet to a foreign country. Running a small startup business is a daily grind even for those who have established a strong presence of their company and have turned it into a money-making revenue machine.
So how can entrepreneurs keep their sanity intact and protect their mental health throughout the stressful, yet rewarding journey of building their own business? Here are a few ways:
1. Keep your Finances in Check
Financial issues are reported to be the primary reason behind anyone`s mental stress and anxiety, especially among entrepreneurs. Some people start on a very small scale. Some take a loan for their startup business and others invest their entire savings into their dream startup with nothing to fall back on.
According to a report by smallbizgenius.net, around 39% of small business owners use cash to fund their startup, which puts them at risk, if the business fails.
The journey of establishing a startup business is stressful enough. And it is not smart to put everything into a basket that fails 90% of the time. Hence, it is crucial to ensure that you have financial support to live on for at least three to six months should anything goes wrong.
If that is not possible, you can also take up a part-time job that allows for flexible working hours. Another thing you can do to ensure your financial support is to have an alternate source of income. The biggest takeaway for any entrepreneur is to try and leave as much money on the table to take care of your things.
You can also take the help of a professional business coach that can guide you in starting up, setting up, and running a business from the scratch.
2. Learn to Delegate
Trying to do everything on your own is another way to overburden yourself with stress and work. Even if you feel that your startup has not reached up to that level where you can hire full-time employees, you can outsource certain tasks. There are endless resources available to help you with it.
Learn to delegate as it is quite essential for smooth operations. Even the best business motivational speaker in India like Dr. Vivek Bindra suggests delegation of work because burnout can happen very quickly when a business is at its initial stage.
You can also opt-in for a business partner to avoid crumbling down under the pressure of too much workload. Your business partner would be an expert in some areas of the company. His or her expertise can take a certain amount of pressure off your mind. He or she can also drive the business forward with their professional experience and expertise.
3. Stay in Touch with the Right People
Whenever anyone decides to start something unconventional, they must surround themselves with positive influences. You might be having an excellent money-making business idea, but your friends and a family member might not agree. There will be some people including your friends and family members that will question your decision.
They might also ask you to go back to corporate life with a steady paycheck for a more stable life. But remember, they come from a position of care and love. However, they are not entrepreneurs.
Surround yourself with business mentors who have been successful as entrepreneurs. You can seek advice and guidance from them through the beginning of the start-up journey and try to continue flourishing that relationship. It will also help you to expand a professional network as your business starts growing.
Mental health can easily deteriorate with stressful conditions, pushing oneself to the point of burnout, and with wrong people giving the wrong advice. Running a startup business successfully is essential, but taking care of your mental health is crucial. Following the above tips and frequently staying in touch with one`s emotions will help to ensure your mental wellbeing is in good shape.
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