How to Tackle the Three Major Stresses Associated with Every
Home-Based Business
Owning your own home-based business is by and large a very
rewarding, exciting endeavor. You can set your own schedule, and
be where you want, when you want. You can oftentimes forego the
commute to a "regular job" and save money on gas and other
"niceties" that are expensive in the work-a-day world, such as
lunches, parking fees, etc.
There are unexpected pitfalls and disadvantages, though, in the
owning and operating of a home-based business. Some are
psychological, some are emotional, and others are purely
physical. The unexpected stresses of a home-based business are
really one of the major obstacles that need to be overcome by
business owners. Many new business owners are unprepared for
just how much stress is involved, actually.
Home-based business stresses usually fall into three overall
categories:
1. Psychological : Employees, Finances, Legal, and Operations
2. Emotional: Family, Friends, Change of Personal Routines,
Personal Disruptions, Isolation
3. Physical: Sedentary Lifestyle, Poor Eating Habits, Overwork
Many business owners, in order to prevent the psychological
stress will have plans in place for dealing with these
particular stress factors, prior to their occurrence. This is a
proactive approach that is infinitely better than having a
reactive approach to these occurrences.
Each business owner should have a financial plan in place for
the times when orders or clients are few and far between (slow
times), as well as a good accountant to call when necessary.
Each business owner should also have a lawyer who they trust and
can turn to for advice if necessary (we do live in a very
litigious society). And each business owner should have a plan
for sickness among employees and hiring and firing protocols
firmly in place. Machinery and replacement of business supplies
should also be well planned in advance, and purchased according
to well laid out plans for expenditures.
Leadership skills will need to be developed, as a new business
owner who is used to being part of a team, will find working
alone and "being in charge" a somewhat difficult transition at
first. Books on leadership skills abound and it is a good idea
to do readings on the development of these to proactively avoid
the psychological stress that comes with this change in roles.
Working alone and making decisions alone is quite different from
the conformity and decisions made within a group.
If a proactive approach is taken, the psychological stresses of
a new business can easily be prevented, or at least lessened.
The emotional stresses of a home-based business are usually a
bit more difficult to ascertain and tackle when they occur. Some
of these stress factors can come directly from well-meaning
family and friends, unfortunately, and the approach is of
course, much different. Since a home-based business is directly
tied usually to the home life of an individual, there is less
chance to escape these stresses, than with a traditional method
of employment. A new birth in a family, a death of a loved one,
illness, or simply a change of schedule of another family
member, can greatly impact the daily workings and routine of a
home-based business.
In addition, family and friends may view the business owner as
"being at their disposal" all day now, as the business owner is
now "home" much of the time. These well meaning individuals may
call or visit all the time, and also expect the business owner
to take care of their needs before the needs of the business.
This is simple human nature, but is very distracting for the
business owner. The only way this can be successfully overcome
is to make plans well ahead of time for any changes in routine,
if possible, and adjust the schedule accordingly as the changes
occur. Well meaning family and friends need to be told with
certainty that there are "business hours" and "personal hours"
and a business owner needs to remain firm in their resolve in
regard to these issues.
Stressing over emotional stress will just escalate an already
stressful situation.
Another unexpected emotional stress comes many times from the
feeling of isolation and loneliness that business owners may
experience. Business owners many times are unprepared for the
time they now find they spend alone within the parameters of
their home-based businesses. A home-based business owner, while
relieved to leave the workforce, sometimes does not realize that
the workforce provided social opportunities that are now missing
from their lives. Many hours may be spent alone each day, which
can lead to loneliness and even depression in some cases.
The best approach to combating this type of isolation is to
actively plan social opportunities. Planned outings with family
and friends should be made regularly. Business owners may also
join community groups that expose them to other business owners
or others within the community. The local Chamber of Commerce
and other volunteer groups are a great way to make connections
for the business and also enhance the social experiences of
business owners. No one can exist in a void, so the social
aspects of a business can't be ignored.
Finally, owning and operating your own home-based business
brings with it some purely physical stresses. Like most office
jobs, a home-based business can lead to a more sedentary
lifestyle, as owners may spend most of their days in the running
of the business, either slumped in an office chair, or hunched
over a computer, depending upon the requirements of the
business. Because of the long hours involved in any business,
business owners may also eat "on the run", grabbing whatever is
at their disposal, rather than planning meals, which compromises
their nutrition. The sedentary lifestyle and bad eating habits
can lead to weight gain and other physical ailments associated
with poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles: high
cholesterol, lack of energy, loss of muscle tone, and a
deficiency of vitamin D from being indoors more than usual.
The sedentary lifestyle is the easiest however, of the stresses
to avoid or to change. All it takes is a dedication to an
exercise routine that includes some form of daily physical
exercise, and an adherence to a diet that is well planned and
nutritious. Just some planning is needed and some will power in
order to stay focused on achieving physical activity daily and
good nutrition. It would be beneficial, if at all possible, to
join a gym or health club, as the physical and emotional
stresses can be avoided by belonging to one, as a gym also
provides social opportunities. Even a simple walk each day can
increase exercise, exposure to sunlight, and create social
opportunities.
A tendency to do too much each day, is a syndrome many business
owners fall prey to also. Overwork can leave anyone run down,
and open to many diseases as the immune system becomes
compromised. A business owner is of course, very excited and
energetic about the business, which can lead into this syndrome
of overwork. A schedule should be maintained to combat this
syndrome, with set hours for "doing business" and set hours for
"relaxation" included in each day. Trying to do too much all the
time just leads business owners into a decrease of productivity,
rather than an increase of productivity.
As you can see, having a home-based business, while very
rewarding in many ways, can have many deleterious effects on the
physical, mental and emotional states of business owners. Many
business owners fail to plan for these changes, and yet, if
planning is done, the negative effects can be minimized to a
great degree.
If a business owner takes care of themselves and their own
needs, overall, the business will also profit from this positive
behavior! A happy, healthy business owner means a happy, healthy
business!