Last week my friends asked how old I am, and I said “52”, then after a while I realized it doesn’t tally. I was shocked after I calculated my age. I am 56 this year! Suddenly I felt “O dear I am so very close to 60!”. I suddenly felt old. 
This is the picture of today, I am suffering from “Achilles Tendonitis”. But I am glad I am on a journey of making sure I take good care of my health, physically and mentally. Recently, I adopted a new lifestyle, which is on long-term intermediate fasting. Do exercise weekly play pickle ball and hiking. Make sure I drink enough liquid. Practicing mindfulness, learning and reflecting.
As an entrepreneur, running my coaching and counseling business, my work is often glorified as a path to freedom, innovation, and financial success. While these benefits are certainly attainable, there’s a less seen reality: the significant mental health challenges that come with the entrepreneurial journey.
Research show that 72% of entrepreneur experience mental health issues such as high stress, anxiety, burnout, depression, and panic attacks when starting a business. Furthermore, 54% of founders report being “very stressed” about their startups’ futures due to market uncertainties.
The Mental Toll of Ambiguity
Many entrepreneurs and founders feel alone in business and inherently filled with ambiguity. Uncertainty in entrepreneurship isn’t just about financial risk. It extends to the unpredictability of success, the fluctuation of market trends, the endless decision-making, the constant need for innovation and managing responsibilities for employees and stakeholders. This level of volatility can lead to anxiety, depression, and a sense of losing control, significantly impacting mental health. The entrepreneur’s identity often becomes intertwined with their business, making any failure or setback feel deeply personal.
Ways to Manage Entrepreneurial Stress
While some stress is unavoidable in entrepreneurship, founders don’t have to live in a constant state of anxiety. Here are some strategies to manage entrepreneurial stress:
Create Work-Life Balance
Research shows that 95% of entrepreneurs are unsure how to create an adequate work-life balance. Work-life balance refers to the harmonious divide between one’s professional and personal life. Entrepreneurs must strike a balance between their work commitments and personal well-being.
It’s essential to identify your priorities and align your actions accordingly. Determine what matters most to you and focus your time and effort on those areas. Creating boundaries between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining balance. Clearly define your working hours and strive to disconnect from work-related activities outside of these hours. Avoid multitasking, as it can lead to reduced productivity and increased stress.
Make time for regular exercise, eat a balanced diet, and get enough sleep. Prioritize self-care activities that promote relaxation and rejuvenation, such as meditation or engaging in hobbies you enjoy.
Make Networking a Must
Research shows that entrepreneurs experience loneliness at higher rates than other professionals, which can have detrimental outcomes if not dealt with appropriately. We don’t have to build our businesses alone. Having a community, networking and shared experience can provide a sense of belonging. Learn from others and discuss challenges together, while coaching can help provide assistance and reduce feelings of isolation.
The Importance of Mindfulness and Mental Health
Studies suggest that mindfulness practices may help people manage stress, cope better with serious illness, and reduce anxiety and depression. Many individuals who practice mindfulness report an increased ability to relax, greater enthusiasm for life, and improved self-esteem.
In addition, having regular mental health check-ins with a professional counselor, coach, or therapist can help in early identification and management of stress and anxiety.
Structure Decision-Making Processes
Structuring decision-making processes is designed to help people, especially groups, work together on complex decisions. It does this by helping them clarify objectives, identify creative alternatives, and evaluate how well different objectives are satisfied by different alternatives. Applying structured decision-making processes can reduce the stress of constant uncertainty.
As a coach, I empower my clients to find answers within their own experiences, thoughts and emotions, so they can more confidently make decisions without needing to wait to speak with others.
Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
In the wild world of entrepreneurship, failure is not just a possibility; it’s an inevitable pitstop on the road to success. We’re talking business ventures going belly-up, big ideas that don’t catch on, and that gut-wrenching sensation when a bold risk doesn’t pay off. It’s all part of the ride. Entrepreneurs don’t just endure failure we harness it, learn from it, and leverage it into a stepping-stone to success.
Have the mindset of openness to innovation, a relentless pursuit of opportunity, and a healthy appetite for calculated risk. It’s about seeing possibilities where others see obstacles and having the tenacity to push boundaries, even in the face of adversity.
We don’t just shrug off their mistakes; we dissect them, study them, and use our insights to shape our future decisions. We see failure not as a dead-end, but as a detour pointing towards a better route.
Conclusion
The journey of entrepreneurship, though fulfilling, is also loaded with challenges that can take a toll on mental health. Identifying and addressing the mental health effects of entrepreneurial uncertainty is not just valuable; it’s necessary for sustainable success.
By doing so, we as entrepreneurs not only safeguard our mental health but also set ourselves up for a more rewarding and sustainable entrepreneurial journey. Taking care of mental health is as important as taking care of business. After all, a healthy mind is the most valuable asset in the unpredictable yet rewarding journey of entrepreneurship.
If you’re eager to elevate yourself and your business and embrace the discomfort and challenges inherent in growth, I am here to await you. Join me now to embark on a journey toward success with enhanced ease and confidence.
Testimony:
I came in at the darkest time of my life. Business drop after MCO, relationship got worst, and i’m close to losing my mind. Faith guided me out from the rut with no judgement and explained why it’s okay to feel how i am feeling. My life is a lot simpler, lighter and happier now. Thank you so much Faith ❤️
(Iylia – CEO)
