BellaOnline Forums Career Business Owners What reduces your stress as a Business Woman?

the greatest stress for my business was being involved in only one business.
i started out in jewelry making years back. not that many people were doing it back then. and then all of a sudden everyone is a "designer" and the market became flooded. i went from sustainable income to no income to speak of.

i sat down and wrote on paper all of my skills. pondered for quite a while which ones i'd feel comfortable offering the public and gave it a go.

that was 7 years ago when i was out of work. then i ended up staying home to take care of my dear mother who was dying. Mom went home to Heaven and i stayed working at home, and further refined my goals, objectives, professionalism, etc.

i'm still at home today and review my business plan every quarter (every 3 months) and move on it according to which way the wind is blowing at the time.

when i get really stressed, i do pray for guidance, and i also shut the computer off and do something creative. that way i have a chance to assess the situation, make a plan and later i get back on the computer and research my thoughts. if it passes my "is it viable" test, i move on it. if not, i think some more.

my mom taught me that. i used to cry and get upset. she taught me the difference between a really critical junction in business and something that is unpleasant and will pass.

Hmmm... Stress...

Stress is a weird thing. Just enough - and it helps you grow in ways you wouldn't have had it not been there. So I'm grateful for the lessons stress brings, sometimes. Too much, though, and it really hurts your health.

And as the boss of my body and of my business - it is of utmost importance that I stay healthy.

I write, play music, and take breaks when I need to. Being the owner of my business I can take time to stretch, dance, talk to my own Coach (yes, good Business Coaches use coaches of their own), and even sometimes "nap on it" when I've got decisions stressing me out.

I also make sure to "unplug" and take entire days or weekends away from the computer, tv, radio, newspaper and phone. Seriously, if you haven't tried this, do it. It SO works for those of us who are always too plugged in. Visit with friends, take a class unrelated to work, or get out in nature. It really recharges the batteries!