10 Mental Health Tips for Small Business Owners : Work/Life Balance
Running a small business can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its fair share of stress, uncertainty, and overwhelming responsibilities if you don’t maintain a work/life balance. As a small business owner, you're often juggling multiple roles—manager, accountant, marketer, customer service rep—while trying to keep everything running smoothly and providing a quality service and experience. With so much on your plate, it gets easy to forget about your own well-being.
Prioritizing your mental health is crucial for your long-term success, business owner or not. A healthy mind will always help you think clearly, make better decisions, and remain resilient in the face of challenges and this thing we call “LIFE”. Here are 10 essential mental health tips to help YOU, a business owners or just as a human being, maintain balance, reduce stress, and stay productive.
Lets start with, Setting Goals..
When it comes to setting goals, I am not going to say what is and is not “realistic” because your life is yours to live and mold beyond whatever limiting beliefs this world sets against us. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and ambition of growing your business, but not having a set of goals can quickly lead to burnout. Break down large goals into smaller, achievable tasks, and celebrate small victories along the way. This approach will give you a sense of progress and keep you motivated without overwhelming yourself.
Tip: Use the SMART goal framework—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—to guide your goal-setting process and watch my YouTube video on self-limiting beliefs ^_^
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/P9rMvMcMpdo
Establish boundaries… for everyone… including yourself
Being a business owner, it's tempting to work around the clock, especially when you're passionate about what you do. However, this lack of boundaries can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion. Set clear work hours for yourself AND for people to contact you about business ONLY, after those hours you do NOT respond to business related questions and task. Don’t be afraid to turn off your devices and step away from your business after hours. This gives you time to recharge and focus on your personal life so you don’t end up in feeling that you are “missing moments” in life with the people you love and care about.
Tip: Use tools like scheduling apps to block out time for rest and non-work activities. If able, have a work phone to keep the calls and text separate, use Google voice to have a free separate number or change the ringtones on your phone for work buddies so you know who is who!
Ask for help, delegate task…
You don’t have to do everything yourself, if you think you do, that’s for another blog about hyper-independance. Delegating tasks, whether to employees, contractors, or even automated systems, can relieve a significant amount of pressure. By allowing yourself to trust others to handle certain aspects of your business, you free up your mental space to focus on higher-level tasks or self-care.
Tip: Identify tasks that are draining or outside your expertise and consider outsourcing them to people you can find on websites like Fiverr. If you want to know about some handy apps and automated systems to help make your work load easier, comment on this blog and I’ll respond.
https://www.fiverr.com
Make sure to prioritize self-care
It's easy to overlook your own physical and emotional needs, but self-care is vital to staying healthy and productive. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep (cause Lord knows we need it) are the foundation for maintaining mental health. Taking care of your body can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and increase focus.
Tip: Schedule time for self-care just as you would an important meeting. Get a clock to put on the wall to check the time so you don’t grab the phone. Get up and stretch outside for 5 to 10 minutes in the morning and get some fresh air and sunlight to regulate your cortisol levels. No coffee until you’ve put some sort of food on your tummy.
Stay connected..
Entrepreneurship can sometimes feel isolating, especially if you’re running a business on your own. Building a support network of fellow entrepreneurs, mentors, and friends can provide valuable emotional support. Share challenges and celebrate wins with others who understand your journey! That is so important!
Tip: Attend networking events or join online communities for business owners to connect and learn from others. Use apps like MeetUp or Facebook groups to find other like-minded individuals who have your best interest and can relate.
https://www.meetup.com/
Make it a habit to practice mindfulness and meditation
Don’t let anyone tell you that mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep-breathing exercises, can’t help reduce stress and improve mental clarity. Regular mindfulness practices have been shown to lower anxiety and increase focus, helping you stay grounded when facing difficult decisions or challenges. Journaling/making a list is always a great way to help clear an overactive mind and get those thoughts out in a way that may help you process them and make sense.
Tip: Dedicate just 10 minutes a day to meditation or deep breathing to clear your mind. You’ll notice a difference.
Seek professional help
There’s no shame at all in asking for help when you’re struggling or even feel yourself heading in that direction. Help yourself before it gets to hard. If you're feeling overwhelmed, talking to a therapist or counselor can provide a safe space to express your feelings and develop coping strategies. Many small business owners hesitate to seek mental health support, but it can be an essential part of sustaining both your well-being and your business.
Tip: You can consider online therapy options if you're struggling to find time for in-person appointments.
Celebrate small wins.. you deserve it
You deserve to feel good about the things you accomplish no matter how big or small it may seem. You are dedicating yourself to something you are passionate about, that people probably told you isn’t realistic or ridiculous… yet look at you. I’m proud of you. Small business ownership is a marathon, not a sprint. It’s easy to focus only on the big goals, but don’t forget to recognize the small achievements along the way. Celebrating these successes, whether it’s landing a new client or reaching a financial milestone, can boost your morale and reinforce the positive impact of your hard work.
Tip: Keep a "win journal" where you record accomplishments, both big and small, to remind yourself of how far you've come. This is something I am working on myself . We are in this together.
Limit perfectionism..
Perfectionism is a double-edged sword. While striving for excellence can lead to great outcomes, setting impossible standards and comparison can also lead to frustration and stress. Learn to recognize when “good enough” is truly sufficient and when it’s time to move forward, rather than getting stuck in the pursuit of perfection.
Tip: Embrace the concept of progress over perfection—focus on continuous improvement instead of flawless execution. Try your best to not compare yourself to others. We are all here for different reasons. Special journeys.
Schedule Time Off..
Taking time off is not a luxury—it's a necessity! Even though it might feel like the business will collapse without you, stepping away from your work will allow you to return with fresh ideas and renewed energy. Schedule regular breaks, days off, or even vacations to prevent burnout and improve your long-term productivity.
Tip: Plan time off in advance and communicate with your team or clients to ensure everything is covered in your absence. Stand 10 toes down on it too.
Maintaining good mental health as a business owner is key to your success. By setting boundaries, seeking support, and incorporating self-care into your routine, you’ll not only improve your well-being but also enhance your business performance. Remember, taking care of yourself is not just beneficial for you—it's essential for the sustainability and growth of your business. Prioritize your mental health, and you’ll be better equipped to navigate the ups and downs of entrepreneurship with resilience and clarity. You’ve got this!
