Implement these "stress Relievers" Into Your Business Routines

By Tara Hornor

Small business ownership is the American dream and many Americans are living it. From carpet cleaning service to jewelry design and repair to health food, there are some who put it all on the line to do what they want for a living, how they want to do it, when they want to do it. But every small business owner will tell you that while it is rewarding, running your small business does have enormous challenges that one otherwise would not face at a day job.

If you are one of us who believe that your business ownership is causing more stress than is healthy, you may need to sit back and re-evaluate how to handle this stress.

These challenges and the daily pressure of keeping a home business running can equal high stress levels for more than a few small business owners. If you are one of us who believe that your business ownership is causing more stress than is healthy, you may need to sit back and re-evaluate how to handle this stress. Below are some facts about stress, how to determine your levels of stress, and tips on dealing with stress, all to help you learn about handling pressure when running your home business.

Stress Facts
A survey of small business owners showed sixty-five percent rarely have time to stop, and only fifty percent felt they have enough time with family and friends. In addition to the financial related challenges of managing income and costs, hiring employees, and building a customer base, the time demands of small business ownership can make living a life outside of the office seem nearly impossible. Friends forget what you look like it has been so long since they saw you, and even family that live in the same house can feel like it has been ages since they have spent quality time with you.

There will always be a significant time investment when you own and run your own small business, but there are ways to manage the stresses and demands that go with it. Each one has to learn to find the balance of all multi-faceted tasks involved in running a small business, relationships with family and friends, and community involvement opportunities. And finding the balance is important not only to the success of the business but to the health of the business owner.

Stress Symptoms
Stress is a very real risk you take when you choose to own your small business. While a small amount of stress is a good motivator, too much stress is bad for your health. Symptoms of stress, on or off the job, have been linked to as much as ninety percent of doctor’s visits. It can cause headaches, reduced immune function, and weight gain just to name the milder affects. Success is found by managing time and stress not only in the work place but especially in personal life.

Stress Relievers
A rewarding personal life and relationships with friends and family will greatly increase your satisfaction and lower overall stress levels. Here are a few ideas to get you on your way to a less stressful small business ownership:
• Do set a schedule for your work day. This will help you set boundaries around your work and personal life allowing you to be successful at both.
• Do take time to plan out your day. Prioritize what needs to be done, some things can stand to wait until tomorrow.
• Do clarify for yourself the top priorities for both your business and your personal life. Once you know what you want to achieve, you will find it much easier to accomplish.
• Do take time to re-assess your priorities on a regular basis, preferably quarterly.
• Do get help. Hire a part time employee to help out a few hours a week to allow you to get those especially pesky chores done.
• Do take time off! Your part time employee is an ideal candidate to handle the day to day business while you leave the city for a real vacation at a beach, or just visit relatives a few hours away.
• Do get regular exercise. Exercise is good for your health and a great stress reducer. Set aside a specific time daily, even if it is only 30 minutes or a 5 minute burst 6 times a day.
• Don't answer the phone during your personal hours. If you need to, get a business phone and keep it in your office.
• Don't take on more work than you can handle. While it can be tempting to see more income, your stress levels are not worth it. Or at least hire more help if you just cannot say no.
• Don't work harder, work smarter. Fine tune your processes to eliminate wasted time. Only check your email during set hours of the day. Schedule hated but necessary tasks and when it's time to complete these tasks, focus!

Tara Hornor has found her niche writing about marketing, advertising, branding, web and graphic design, and desktop publishing. She writes for PrintPlace.com, a company that offers color printing for business cards, customizable catalogs, posters, brochures, personal and marketing postcards, and more printed marketing media. Connect with @TaraHornor on Twitter (Full Bio).

• Don't give in to peer pressure. It's okay for you to have personal days; after all, it's your business. However, if you know that a certain deadline is looming, put off going to the lake with your pals until after you have completed your tasks.

Customize this list for your personal situation, adding in your own do’s and don’ts. Keep this list where you can review it from time to time, adjusting it as necessary. Having some rules and a plan in place is the best way to handle pressure when running your small business, and the best method for becoming a successful, stress-free (mostly) business owner! HBM Add: 9/12, HP: 9/15/12