The Mental Toll Of Running A Business As A Solopreneur

By Breanna Gunn 

As a modern-day solopreneur, you’re required to wear a lot of hats. You have to step up as the CEO, CFO, marketer, graphic designer, copywriter, and occasionally, the janitor. It’s not unheard of to be up all night working on emails or proposals or packing a laptop to go on vacation. Needless to say, this level of never-ending overwhelm will lead to one place and one place only—total and complete exhaustion. 

I don’t know about you, but I left the corporate world to be less stressed, not more! So if you find yourself struggling to manage your stress levels on a regular basis, check out these five strategies you can employ to eliminate overwhelm from your business and enjoy life again.

#1 Focus on one task at a time

Multitasking is an entrepreneur’s worst enemy. Focus on one task at a time and check it off your list as you complete it. You’ll start to see how much more manageable everything becomes if you take smaller bites out of a bigger project ahead.

#2 Create a list of what needs to be done for the day, week, or month and prioritize it

When you’re running a business, there’s often too much noise going on in your head because you’re trying to remember everything you have to do forever. Guess what? No one can do that! 

Overwhelm is a sign you need to do a brain dump.  Whether it’s a list or a spreadsheet, you’ll want to create one central place that has everything you need to get done so you can keep track of projects and tasks. This way, instead of constantly trying to remember what needs to be done and when your brain will have an easy-to-access reference tool at the ready. 

#3 Track your time and eliminate distractions 

If you feel like your days are flying by and you’re not getting anything done, it’s time to investigate how you’re really spending your time. 

Tracking your time log will ensure that you’re working on the right things at the right times. You can use your calendar or a free tool like Toggl. It will also be a great way for you to determine how much time should be spent on specific projects or tasks. 

And if you find you’re taking longer than you should on certain tasks, try eliminating distractions like email, Slack, or even your cell phone. Focus on work when you’re working and leave all the other stuff for when the work is complete. 

#4 Take breaks 

We all need a moment to rest and relax. Figure out your working limit and once you reach it, step away from your computer. Get outside, take a walk or even sneak in a quick nap. Giving yourself enough breaks during the day will help you tackle your tasks with a lot more energy and focus.

#5 Ask for help when you need it

Every business reaches a point where one person can’t do it all.  When that moment arrives, don’t be afraid to ask for help by hiring a  virtual assistant or a freelance professional. 

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Solopreneurs can be overwhelmed with work, stress, and guilt when they don’t take care of themselves or ask for help when needed. If you find yourself in this position and you’re looking for help with some of the more time-consuming tasks on your plate, click here to book a discovery call with me to see how I  can help you simplify your business, delegate tasks that aren’t core to your success and take back control of your time.