Becoming an Entrepreneur: Overcoming Challenges and Improving Mental Health
Becoming a business owner is a challenging decision. Throughout the entrepreneurial journey, most entrepreneurs face situations that lead to emotional stress. The obligation to meet various expectations from investors, partners, and employees, along with stabilizing the company’s financial foundation, can sometimes become overwhelming.
Anyone who aspires to face life’s challenges must first equip themselves with a solid shield. This shield consists of smart habits that help balance the mind. Ultimately, all stress will pass, and new opportunities and relationships will come to business owners.
A study conducted by experts at the University of California found that psychological stress is a common condition among entrepreneurs. Specifically, the research revealed that 72%—nearly three-quarters of the entrepreneurs surveyed—reported experiencing mental health instability. Half of these entrepreneurs even experienced chronic instability.
The two main challenges for entrepreneurs are combating external influences and addressing internal issues. Therefore, the study concluded that the first step for entrepreneurs to stabilize their mental health is to develop positive thinking habits.
Chirag Kulkarni, CMO of Medly and a contributor to Entrepreneur magazine, shared insights on how entrepreneurs can overcome anxiety and depression, gradually improving their mental state to work more effectively:
1.Read Books
Have you ever had to give up the habit of reading to focus on your business? If so, it’s time to restore that habit. A study published by the neuroscience news site Neurology indicates that reading helps improve memory and concentration. These two factors can enable entrepreneurs to analyze situations more clearly instead of reacting instinctively to problems.
What should entrepreneurs read? The answer is anything. Even self-help books can be beneficial for those experiencing mental instability. Research published in The BMJ shows that depression significantly improved in individuals who chose to read books that guided them toward better living when they felt unstable.
2. Engage in Physical Activity to Clear the Mind
Exercise is a familiar piece of advice. Scientists agree that regular physical activity offers many benefits beyond weight management. Consistent movement stimulates the body’s oxygen exchange, leading to a clearer mind.
A study published in NeuroImage found that when adults integrate exercise into their daily routines, their brains continue to develop.
If you worry about time constraints, consider using a treadmill at home or in the office.
3. Stop Overthinking and Take Action
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos addressed this topic in a letter to his partners in 2016. In this letter, he expressed his personal view on worrying too much about the future. For him, recognizing that “today is the day to act” leads to the smartest decisions. “Once you have 70% of the necessary information, that’s when you can make a decision and take action,” Bezos stated.
If you are a perfectionist who always wants to prepare thoroughly before acting, gradually train yourself to learn through experience. Each day, practice letting go of anxious thoughts and dive into the task you are contemplating. Over time, you will learn to overcome worries about the unpredictable and develop skills through practical experience.
4. Learn to Say No When Necessary
Not every opportunity that comes your way will yield positive results. Sometimes, certain invitations can drain your energy. Therefore, instead of agreeing to every proposal, consider and choose the most suitable opportunities. Sometimes enticing opportunities may make it hard to say no, but if they require too much of your energy, they may not be as appealing as you imagine.
Remember, no matter how skilled you are, you only have 24 hours a day and 168 hours a week. Will this opportunity take away precious time that you could spend living better?
5.Focus on Inspiration
Balancing work and life is a highly risky theory. Bezos is aware of this. In an interview with TechCrunch, the Amazon CEO admitted he is not interested in giving this up for anything else. He cares more about his personal inspiration than others’ opinions.
You can be more flexible in designing your daily schedule. You don’t always need to balance 50% of your time for work and 50% for family every day. What you need is to prioritize your tasks to ensure your source of inspiration does not run dry.
Conclusion
In reality, there will be phases in life that present a series of challenges for business owners. Sometimes, all you need is to allow yourself to fail, to rest and recover, and then get back up to continue. Focus your thoughts on positive aspects rather than continuously surrounding yourself with fear or worry. Ultimately, practical experience will be the greatest teacher for every entrepreneur.
