Don’t let anxiety run your life as an entrepreneur

Anxiety can pop up when you least expect it.As an entrepreneur, this can impact your life and business in surprising ways. Even if you don’t suffer from anxiety, generally speaking, business owners worry a lot! We worry about the future, our cash flow, our revenue, whether we have enough clients... the worry can be relentless. For those who live with anxiety on top of that, it’s a lot to deal with. But there are ways you can manage so that anxiety doesn’t run your life. Through coaching my clients and speaking with other business owners, I’ve observed common areas where anxiety tends to creep in: Social AnxietyI’ve noticed a significant uptick in social anxiety, especially since COVID-19. Working from home has its perks, but it also makes venturing out feel daunting. To combat this, it’s all about taking small steps. Financial AnxietyWe worry about cash flow, revenue, and profitability. Seeing businesses around us close can be heartbreaking and stress-inducing. I’ve learned to disengage from doom-scrolling and negative news cycles. Instead, I focus on strategies that help maintain a positive mindset. Generalised AnxietyGeneralised anxiety can be crippling, especially when compounded with the pressures of running a business. I had a client who woke up every day anxious about her business. So, she threw that business out, started again with a blank sheet of paper, only doing the things that she really wanted to do. Anxiety is a real and rising issue, particularly among small business owners. If you feel like you need some support to help you manage anxiety, there are some amazing professionals out there. Don’t hesitate to reach out for recommendations.What are five or six strategies that help you when you’re not feeling great? Write them down, laminate it and keep it close. This simple step can be surprisingly effective.LINKS:Day with the QueenWebsiteFor a copy of Emma's book, 'Go-getter: Raise your mojo, shift your mindset and thrive' – https://www.emmamcqueen.com.au/book/