It is important for us to acknowledge that as small business owners, we sometimes get overwhelmed. These are not the issues that would typically overwhelm or frustrate us. However, in this context, little things going wrong in succession is just that, overwhelming and frustrating.
Stepping Back
The best thing to do during those times is to take a step back and catch our breath. Personally, I will step back from what is stressing me out, go to my window seat or the couch and sit down. I will grab my journal or my Super Note and just write down everything that's on my mind. There's something cathartic about getting something on the page and out of my mind; usually, it stops bothering me.
Start Small
Once we've got our ideas down on paper, making a to-do list is simple. The best thing to do is select one small thing to begin with. As time passes, momentum builds. When we're able to finish one simple thing, motivation will enable us to handle increasingly more, even if certain tasks weren't on the original to-do list. Selecting something small and simple to do first can have an enormous impact. Once we’ve made progress by completing tasks, we will be motivated to tackle more.
When the day is over, Stop
Also paramount, we must make sure that we stop working at the end of our workday when we are overwhelmed. Take a well-deserved break and stop working. Don't work long hours because we lose our ability to perform at peak when exhausted.
Conclusion
- Take a step back
- Prioritize easy tasks
- Stop working at the end of the day
These steps will often make it easier to build momentum towards other goals.
What are some of the ways that you manage to stay focused when working in business?