Jay Goltz, in his recent business blog at the New York Times, wrote about Six Ways To Deal With Small Business Stress.  He suggests that the entrepreneur must first identify what is the true cause of the stress.

In my experience, this is often a significant stumbling block for those trying to build and maintain their business.  The cause of stress may be significantly different from the triggers of the stress.

For example this last Christmas, the straw broke the camels back, and after repeated outbreaks of “puppy joy” from my Golden Retriever, I acquired a torn rotator cuff.  Not torn slightly, rather multiple infractions.  Once torn, it began to freeze and the *c.o.n.s.t.a.n.t* pain was debilitating. I couldn’t sleep.  Lack of sleep, combined with no nonsense pain, became the true stress in my life.

Now one may think that the penny-pinching client who wanted every cent and minute documented was my problem; my stress.  It certainly looked like it to those who knew me.  “Drop the guy,” my dear friends would say.  “Who needs THAT for a buck?”  And, they were right, except not about the solution.

My ability to cope with the client was severely compromised, not because of my workload, or his frugal accounting procedures.  My ability to cope was compromised because of the pain.  The solution had to start with the pain.

Many times the actual cause of stress is family issues, compromised values, boredom, or relational issues within the company.  Sometimes it is poor product development, inadequate research or the wrong distribution channels.  Whatever the case, it needs to be identified.

Simply put, what ticks you off is not likely what causes you problems.

You may want to get out of your own head on this one.  Talk with someone else.  Invite someone to help you find perspectives you can’t see. 

Mr. Goltz goes on to include:

1. Separate fear from anxiety
2. Forgive yourself
3. Keep perspective
4. Accept responsibility
5. Think Positive.

You can read the entire article at the NYT.  

To our success,

Harmony

P.S. You may find the help you need with 30 Minute Money.  Take a look, tell a friend.

***If you care to receive a summary once a week with the top blog posts I write and read, twitters I write and read, and news items of note to business owners, sign up here.