07.21.07
How to Overcome STRESS in Your Business
Stress is the result of the way we interpret our circumstances and the things that happen to us in life and in business. The most common cause of business stress is unrealistic expectations and being dependent of certain outcomes or people. We really cause our own stress, and when we do, our body goes into the “Fight or Flight” mode. It releases huge amounts of adrenalin and cortisol, and all sorts of physical things happen to us to protect us from the imagined danger. And that’s all it is – imagined.
The result of being stressed is emotional, non-productive thoughts, choices, and overreactions, which are escalated and aggravated by all the physical components of stress: headaches, indigestion, depression, insomnia, memory impairment, sweaty palms, shortness of breath, illness… I could go on. Worst of all, it hurts your business and your relationships. And it is NOT NECESSARY.
How do you know when you’re stressed? If you choose the FLIGHT mode, you will find yourself hiding: avoiding confrontation, not returning calls and e mails, getting sick, going away on holiday or hiding in a movie theater, avoiding certain people, not showing up for meetings, looking for a job (the ultimate cop-out for any entrepreneur) and of course the very common passive aggression, back-stabbing and sabotage that weak and dishonest people resort to under pressure. If you’re in the FIGHT mode, you will notice your aggression level climbing – overreaction, nit-picking, attacking, degrading, throwing babies out with their bathwater – all fear-based aggression. Both of these stress reactions of these are self-inflicted and self-destructive.
Here’s the best way I have found to overcome stress in my 20 years as an entrepreneur:
- Don’t have unrealistic expectations of other people. Expect a lot from yourself, have magnificent goals for yourself, expect to win, believe in yourself, but be realistic about what others will or will not do.
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket, hence the Joint Venture approach. With multiple income sources and options, you don’t NEED any one person to perform in any particular way. You’re not as vulnerable.
- Put everything in writing – your budgets, challenges and solutions, goals, action plans, timetables, contingency plans, daily updates on exactly what is going on in your business – this helps you maintain objectivity and shows you realistic “What if?” scenarios and options.
- As the right questions and manage your self-talk. Instead of whining, “Why doesn’t anybody do what they say they will do?” As yourself, “How can I avoid being subject to the tardiness of this particular individual?” Remain positive, optimistic and focused. Be your own best friend. Nobody will tolerate a pessimist or a whiner for very long, so don’t be one.
- Mix with positive, successful, open-minded, secure, and motivated people ONLY.
- Reinterpret your options and beliefs. Reinterpret what is going on in your life. Whatever or whomever you tell yourself you need will control you. Remember that. Treat your business like a Monopoly game. Don’t take things personally. Study the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path to better understand the danger of being attached. If you’re religious, walk your talk. I know a woman who belongs to a religious cult. She continually promotes her cult, but she is unreliable, dishonest, and devious. If you believe what you say you believe, your life should demonstrate it, or you’re simply a hypocrite.
- Finally, plan for every outcome. Spend more time planning and then taking action to make your dreams come true and you won’t have time to wince, whine, and wonder. Work hard, work smart, delegate, and expect the 80/20 rule to work. 80% of people (I believe it’s 90%) will lie, let you down, quit on you, and run away when the going gets tough. Get used to it. Idealism regarding others is for the young and immature. Keep looking for the 10% that will stay with you and grow with you, and let the losers go.
Share this powerful affirmation and conviction with me:
“I am absolutely convinced of the fact that I am in the process of achieving my goals and nothing and nobody will stop me. I will not be distracted, sabotaged, or disheartened by anyone or anything. I steadfastly and persistently move in the direction of my goals, learning from my failures and getting stronger every day. I am unattached, secure in myself, and committed to achieve my goals, no matter what.
I will not lower my standards, compromise, or quit. I believe in my goals and in myself. I work hard and I take full responsibility for the achievement of all my goals. I am bulletproof, focused, unstoppable, and powerful. Stress is a choice I do not choose to make. My goals and values are not negotiable. The achievement of my objectives is a given.”
Robin J. Elliott www.DollarMakers.com
