The life of an entrepreneur has a big ball of stress always looming over their heads. The pressure of performance, the constant need to stay motivated, and running a show can get to a person sneakily and faster than one can imagine. However, sound mental health at the workplace plays a significant role in determining the enterprise’s success, an aspect many people don’t pay enough attention to.
Just like for an athlete, his physical health needs to be top-notch for a good performance; similarly, an entrepreneur needs to have his mental health in the best possible condition to deliver successful results from his business.
Research has proven that less than 50% of entrepreneurs have known to go through mental health issues, e.g. depression, attention hyperactivity deficit disorder, bipolar spectrum disorder or substance abuse. With being the ideating and main driving force behind the business, one needs to make sure that they do not let their mental health take a hit and constantly strive to maintain its well being!
Let’s look at some of the ways mental health co-relates with the business and how to keep oneself from plummeting into a dark hole of poor mental health.
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Entrepreneurship brings along with it sleepless nights and caffeine overdose to combat it, which is a lethal combination and a perfect recipe for disaster. The level of anxiety this can induce is understated! An anxious mind will never make practical decisions; hence one needs to keep this situation in check. Getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night is important, and so is to keep caffeine intake in check.
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The constant underlying thought of having to succeed can be more damaging than motivating. It is an unsaid pressure that can lead to isolating oneself from friends, family or social gatherings where they might have to discuss the progress of their work or answer work-related questions. In these scenarios, rather than avoiding meeting people, one needs to be clear about drawing a line between work hours and downtime. Stay firm about not discussing work in a social setting and just enjoy the time off work.
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Another unsettling trait of entrepreneurs is to confuse their own identity with the worth of their business. While surveys and research are great for predicting market trends, there is no guarantee on when and how quick these trends change. If the pandemic has taught us anything, its the unprecedented nature of the demand and overnight developments of necessities. It is crucial that business owners understand this volatile nature and do not attach themselves so profoundly to their venture’s success that they lose themselves!
When an entrepreneur begins their journey and starts their venture, it is almost like giving birth to a baby and can one keep themselves detached from their baby? NO! But they need to take a step back and see what’s required for their mental wellbeing in order to see success in their enterprise. Sometimes basics like exercising, meditation or a short getaway can bring the peace and rejuvenation that the mind needs and other times, one might have to seek professional help; either way, one must never shy away from listening to their mind and body!
