What are the early signs of stress in entrepreneurs?

Founders digest stress in different ways. For me it is a motivator, but not in a completely positive way. Tunnel vision forms to the rest of my life and I look in the mirror wondering where the day went, listing the things I didn't get done and the angles I didn't consider. I go to bed replaying my days work, wondering if I tied our historical financials correctly into our latest financial model. I'd count emails in my inbox and KPIs achieved and forget about how long its been since I called my mom or the last time I went to the gym. Stress is about not letting things go and pass through you. It is not knowing when to stop work and returning to life. The cost of success is sometimes not worth it.

During my entrepreneurial journey, there have been many times when the stress of running the business while also being a key operator is overwhelming. Maintaining perspective and always taking the higher road with your team is vital to success. For me, taking a moment away from the situation, whether going for a walk, making time for lunch, or doing something mindless for even 15-30 minutes, can help me reset and find perspective. Culture comes from leaders and having a balanced approach leads to a much better team result.

Entrepreneurship is a rewarding journey, but it can also be demanding. Recognizing early signs of stress is crucial for maintaining well-being and productivity. Watch for changes in sleep patterns, increased irritability, or difficulty concentrating, irregular excessive drinking, even avoidance of normal tasks. Pay attention to physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches. Feeling overwhelmed or experiencing mood swings are also indicators. Awareness is key—addressing stress early fosters resilience and ensures sustainable success. #Entrepreneurship #StressAwareness #Wellbeing #MentalHealth

Early signs of stress in entrepreneurs may include increased irritability, difficulty concentrating, changes in sleep patterns, heightened anxiety, and a sense of being overwhelmed. It's crucial to recognize these signs and take proactive steps to manage stress for overall well-being.

Entrepreneurship is one of the most incredible journeys I’ve been through but it is also one of the most challenging and demanding. It’s a lot of time spent alone behind a computer. It’s also very up and down. Things can go left very quickly and come crashing down. This has a tremendous impact on our mood so the need to find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you in these moments is paramount. Such as - taking breaks - journaling and meditating - exercising and getting fresh air

Here are something that worked for me - Try taking sleep supplements. For a couple of days. - Try walking after dinner. - Have a cutoff time - as entrepreneurs, we tend to work and overthink for quite long hours. Decide on a cutoff time that works for you and let the things slide on to the next day.

Being an entrepreneur means there's always an endless list of things to do, and the pressure to accomplish more can be overwhelming. One thing I've learned is the importance of setting limits on work hours, something I wish I'd started doing earlier in my entrepreneurial journey. Setting boundaries on when I start and stop working has forced me to be more strategic and helped me focus on what truly matters for the business.

If you’re worrying about work and can’t sleep - make sure you talk to someone! A problem shared is a problem halved and despite an entrepreneurial journey often feeling lonely - you’ll be surprised how many other people go through the same rollercoaster of emotions!

I always know when I'm stressed. I overthink and struggle to fall asleep 😴 Exercise has made me sleep better though as I have a very overactive mind. So I tire out more now and it has definitely helped me!! I also struggle to think straight when I'm stressed and everything feels harder. Stretching in the evenings calm me too. I also make notes of anything I need to do in the future so to get it out of my mind! I can manage my stress better as I'm working on it all the time!

As a 20-something entrepreneur, I used to think I was fine with only 4 hours of sleep per night. Then I met a startup ceo in NYC at a conference who said he measured his success by how much sleep he got each night. This was because he wasn't stressed with how things were or weren't going, but 'in the zone' knowing that things were all good and taken care of properly. Now, knowing the negative effects lack of sleep can have, make a more concerted effort to have a regular sleep cycle. - Don't take your phone to bed with you - Don't eat at least 2 hours before going to bed - Meditation prior to sleep or other form of mindfulness practice works well When I cant sleep, I use the 4-3-6-2 breathing method. 4 in. Hold 3. Out 6. Hold 2.

I had a burnout while employed. As an entrepreneur I am busier and more is demanded of me but as I don't have inner value conflicts burnout is less likely to happen. Recognize stress before the physical symptoms arrive. If you already experience them seek professional help ASAP

My first indicator of stress in entrepreneurs is their recession from commitments. Delayed investor or stakeholder reports, less frequent touchpoints or asks for help, and missing blogs/posts/vlogs all represent red flags.

When we don't deal with stress in an effective way, it will most certainly show up as a physical symptom as a way to wake us up. It can range from digestive issues to headaches or even muscle tension. Healthy stress is different than chronic stress. There will always be deadlines & certain pressures that entrepreneurs face but how you think about those stressors make all the difference. Here's what you can do de-stress throughout the day. ☆ Be present. It's all happening in the here & now. ☆ When you eat, focus on eating, chew your food well, & try not to work at the same time. ☆ Practice deep breathing ☆ Take nature breaks/walks in between meetings, even for 5 min ☆ Connect to G-d & surrender the uncontrollables.

In my experience, entrepreneurs become all consumed and love what they are doing. The risk is that we start to feel a sense of urgency about everything which can justify not working out, or eating right, etc. I think the airplane analogy - of a parent has to put their oxygen mask on first, so they can take care of their children resonates here. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your organization.

Adhering to a strict exercise regimen every second day plus a daily stretching routine has been a game changer for me these past 2 years. I've noted that the activities have helped immensely with back pain, stiffness and overall mental clarity.

One crucial aspect not explicitly mentioned is the impact of social withdrawal or isolation. Entrepreneurs facing stress may begin to withdraw from social interactions, preferring solitude over engaging with peers, friends, or loved ones. This withdrawal can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and detachment, hindering their ability to seek support and perspective from others who may offer valuable insights or emotional solace.

A clear sign of stress is exhibiting control and distrust of even the closest subordinates. Entrepreneurs are inherently control freaks in the first place and relinquishing it has always been the most difficult trait by most. Stress will exacerbate this behaviour and could destruct the trust built with employees

From my personal experience, and having witnessed this in a great number of founders, communication is a key aspect that gets impacted when experiencing stress. Internal comms to the team, but also to partners, customers and investors. My biggest lesson learned here when I eventually spoke with my investors and partners, whom I kept away so they did not see the ugly bad news, is that they would not have hesitated to jump in and help solve the issues. And they knew simply based on the behaviour they saw change.

"I hate this" "I wish I didn't have to do this" The day you feel this, that's the first indicator that you've got stress. But no entrepreneur ever spent a day without some level of stress. Stress is akin to strength training for the mind. Just as lifting weights gradually increases muscle endurance, navigating through stress strengthens our resilience. With each challenge faced, much like a heavier set in the gym, our capacity to handle pressure grows. However, just as muscles need rest to grow, our minds also require recovery to avoid burnout. So, mastering stress is about finding the right balance, not unlike crafting the perfect workout regimen

A key change in behaviour tends to be withdrawal. As an accountant I have witnessed this many times over the years. Historically, It has been difficult for me to spot this where a new start up business has opted to do their own bookkeeping as its only highlighted when the accounts are being prepared. Last year, I witnessed a high number of business owners being overwhelmed. To help we have introduced a quarterly check in to those that do their own bookkeeping. My top tip is to delegate the bookkeeping to a bookkeeper or accountant as this is often the first task to be dropped. Creative people are not built for this type of task. Doing it takes so much energy. Not doing it creates uncertainty and anxiety. Both add to the overwhelm.

I agree! A sign of stress is our inability to think clearly and we over focus on the problems and tend to be more negative. Being disorganized can also be a symptom of stress.

This is when I know I'm stressed, I struggle to think, to be creative and everything feels hard. I catch myself quickly and try and do some things that can help combat this. Stretching and deep breathing is a habit I've started. Also, when there's changes going on in the business or at home, there's phases of stress that will come and go. Change is supposed to feel unsettling and almost worrying. I also speak to my partner a lot more when I need support. Sometimes a weekend of doing absolutely nothing is all I need. Even a long run, clears my head a bit. If you're feeling foggy, please take time out and really think about what's making you happy or sad.

Example: When stress starts affecting your cognitive abilities as an entrepreneur, you may struggle with clear thinking, memory, or problem-solving. Combat cognitive changes by challenging negative thoughts, focusing on strengths, and celebrating achievements. Stimulate your brain with new experiences like reading or learning, and use organizational tools like apps or planners. By proactively managing stress, you can maintain productivity and well-being in your entrepreneurial journey.

Exercise of any kind throughout your day is important. We ALL need to focus on our bodies not for image sake, but for strength, mind, spirit and soul! As an Entrepreneur you wear many hats, so just add walker, workout participant, bike rider, skier, skater, hoopster, climber, swimmer or anything that gets you moving to your title. A wise psychologist once recommended to my HR team, "On your craziest busy day don't skip exercise. It's what keeps you from going nuts!" While we all laughed, I took it to heart and have continued to stay on top of my workout, swimming and golf routines when traveling.

Stay focused on goals, even in times of uncertainty that can cause stress and doubt. Continue to move forward, maintain confidence in the project, partners and yourself. And celebrate every small victory, until you experience bigger ones !

Le stress naît d'un ressenti, c'est subjectif donc. Il vient lorsqu'on se dit qu'on n'a pas les ressources nécessaires pour affronter les difficultés ou les défis qui se présentent. Donc, en gros, ça signifie soit je sousestime mes capacités, soit je surestime les défis à vaincre, soit (et c'est le pire bien sûr) les 2 à la fois! Que faire alors ? 1°) chercher du soutien, dans l'équipe par exemple, sortir de l'isolement dans tous les cas, 2°) changer de lunettes pour voir les choses différemment et en commençant par inventorier de façon exhaustive ses compétences (et pas se contenter de 2 ou 3 compétences et c'est tout). Enfin, lister au moins 3 réussites pro, redonne confiance généralement. Essayez !

Staying awake or losing sleep only compounds the problem. Trust me when I say - just when you are about to give up - give it another day or two. Sleep is the best repair mechanism. Don't lose it over something that will resolve the next day or just a bit later. Always ask for help - any kind . It's the first good step...

Giving up. I know you are not expecting this, but a shrewd entrepreneur knows what to priortise. - Does he (she) values health or wealth more? - Is this business the best use of his time? - Is it worth the trade off (in terms of personal well-being)? - Is there a better business model that fits his competency? i have started and failed in other businesses. My younger self made a mistake of persisting too long in a wrong business model. Had i made the wiser decision to "give-up", i would have started another different business earlier (which i eventually did) and saved 3 years of my time.

Early signs of stress in entrepreneurs can manifest in various ways. One common sign is erratic decision-making, where entrepreneurs make impulsive and inconsistent choices. Another sign is ignoring advice from board members, as stress can lead entrepreneurs to become dismissive of input from others. Disputes with co-founders can also arise, as stress can strain relationships and lead to conflicts. Perhaps the most concerning sign is unethical behavior, as stress can impair judgment and lead entrepreneurs to make morally questionable decisions. Recognizing and addressing these signs early is crucial for maintaining a healthy and successful entrepreneurial journey.

Some signs include: 1. Changes in mood: Increased irritability, frustration, or negativity. 2. Sleep disruptions: Difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up feeling unrested. 3. Concentration problems: Difficulty focusing, increased forgetfulness, or feeling mentally overwhelmed. 4. Physical symptoms: Headaches, fatigue, muscle tension, or changes in appetite. 5. Neglecting self-care: Skipping meals, neglecting exercise, or withdrawing from social activities. However early intervention is key. Implement stress management strategies like: 1.Setting realistic goals. 2.Delegating tasks effectively. 3.Practicing mindfulness and relaxation techniques. 4.Prioritizing sleep and healthy habits.