Top Tips To Take The Stress Out Of Running A Business
A recent study discovered that 8 out of 10 business owners have felt stressed in their work. Running a small business can be incredibly demanding, especially when it is balanced against a busy home and social life as well. Here are a few different ways small business owners have reduced their work-based stress recently.
Outsourcing
Almost all businesses will engage in some sort of outsourcing. Whether you outsource your stationery supplies, your office cleaning, or your marketing, you will need the help of another business at some point. Outsourcing is often seen as a costly endeavor but in actuality, it is usually more cost-effective in the long run. For example, if you need some paper for your business it will likely be much cheaper to buy from a paper company or stationery store than to fell your own trees and make it yourself. Outsourcing lets you harness the expertise and skills of other businesses, so you have more time to focus on your core trading activities. This is why so many businesses are now using managed IT services. Having IT support at hand when you need it allows you to operate in confidence, knowing any IT issues will be handled speedily by experts.
Partner With Another Business
If you run a small operation then partnering up with other businesses is a fantastic way to create a healthy working environment. You may not be able to afford an office by yourself but if you join with other small businesses you could find a space where you can share the costs. If your businesses complement each other then there may also be ways you can share clients and support each other’s trade. Think creatively about how you can partner with other businesses. Perhaps you could share a vehicle or work together on joint promotion. Reach out to small businesses close to you and ask them about any potential opportunities for collaboration.
Find A Mentor
There are not many new ideas in the world, which is fantastic for you, because it likely means someone has run a business similar to yours in the past. A mentor can give you the benefit of their wisdom and years of experience. Try to find a mentor that will support you throughout your career and who will be happy to share in your success. A mentor can help you figure out complicated problems and will be someone who can listen to you during difficult periods. Many cities will have business growth schemes that may be able to link you up with a mentor or career coach.
Time Off
Remember that your work is only one part of your life. It can be all-consuming at points, but it is always worthwhile to occasionally take a pause and step back from it. You do not want to spend your whole life working to realize you have not had time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. A business’s success can be measured by the bank accounts but it can also be measured by the happiness of those within it.
