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Running a small business is incredibly rewarding, but it can also be extremely stressful at the same time. Small business owners wear many hats and spin lots of plates at once. You deal with all areas of the business, from managing customers to handling finances and marketing. The to-do list never ends. When everything depends on you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But with a few small changes, you can make a big difference to your stress levels and make your business run more smoothly.
Focus on what matters
One of the downsides of running a small business is that you have to spend a lot of time on tasks that don’t directly grow the business. You want to be finding new clients and making sales rather than fixing the wifi and agonising over the right emoji on an Instagram post. These little tasks can easily take over your day if you’re not careful.
Take time to identify which activities truly move your business forward and focus on these. Once you know your priorities, you can better manage the rest of your workload.
Set boundaries
Working to a schedule not only allows you to be more efficient, but also makes it easier to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Establish your working hours and days of operation, and try to set firm boundaries. Limit after-hours emails and make time for friends and family when you’re not working. Although your business is important, it is not the only thing in life.
Put efficient systems in place
Having a few time-saving systems can save you hours each week. Use templates and checklists for processes to help you stay organized. Use standard email responses and have weekly planning sessions to keep you on track and reduce stress. Over time, these small systems will lead to smoother operations and less hard work on your part.
Delegate
Don’t try to do everything yourself. Although it’s understandable that you want to get things right and spend less on hiring, this mindset can limit growth as you are not focusing your time and energy on the right things. Delegating tasks can free you up to focus on growing the business. This might mean spending a little money on outsourcing bookkeeping or marketing support but the benefits will be huge.
Some business owners also explore options like hiring a virtual assistant to help with routine administrative tasks.
Review progress regularly
Your business will change over time, and your approach should change as you grow. Regularly review what’s working and what isn’t. Even small adjustments can lead to big improvements in the future. Ensure you have some key performance indicators (KPIs) to aim for, as these will keep you focused and help you identify how things are going.
In summary, running a small business is hard work but doesn’t have to feel stressful all the time. By focusing on the bigger picture, setting clear boundaries, and delegating where possible you can reduce stress and grow your business in a way that prioritizes your wellbeing.
