Running a small business can feel like juggling ten balls while balancing precariously on a unicycle. There are just so many things to do and lots of pressure. In turn, the chances of you being able to do them all without dropping a ball or two. Maybe you’re  feeling like you are just not succeeding or getting where you want to fast enough? Add in the responsibilities of looking after children or older relatives and animals, it’s no wonder we sometimes crash and collapse in a heap or burn out. 

Anxiety, stress and depression are frequently experienced by small business owners. There is a very good reason for that, given the pressures that they are under.  I also think that the ‘hustle’ culture which is sold to us, isn’t helping. There is a myth that entrepreneurs must be up incredibly early and work long hours at 100% energy all the time to be able to succeed and create these multi-7 figure businesses. Social media videos are full of people telling us what we ‘should’ do and it’s so easy to compare yourself and feel that you’re not succeeding, without knowing what or who you are comparing yourself to.

I recently read The One Thing by Gary Keller which is a great reminder of how to focus on what you really want to achieve and how to keep working towards that goal and prioritise that over other things that vie for your attention. It also talks about simplifying, because once you are doing the things that actually make a difference to achieving your goals, actually a lot of the other things that you think are important to be doing aren’t really needed and you can let them go. That creates clarity and space in your mind for what you ‘should’ be focussing on.

1. Stop, breathe, go for a short 5 minute walk to regain your perspective.

2. Revisit your goals. What is your main goal right now?

3. Write a list of everything that you need to do today.

4. Choose the one thing on the list that will make the biggest difference towards moving you towards your goal.

5. Do that one thing.