Stress is both a psychological and physiological reaction to the pressures—internal and external—that make us human. But if you started your business years ago, constantly pushing for growth, aiming to scale up into an enterprise or multinational, this stress could eventually lead to burnout. Burnout is never far away for many business owners.
We all know that running a business is incredibly stressful. The commitment requires sacrifices—countless hours of work, meetings, client discussions, and overseeing the general operations of your business. These are what I would call corporate stress. While stress is a natural part of life for everyone, the stress generated by your business can easily tip into the negative, potentially damaging your health and well-being.
Therefore, despite your packed schedule as a CEO, it’s vital to prioritize stress relief. But how do you manage this when everything seems urgent? Let me share four ways you can reduce stress as a business owner.
First and foremost, take a Sabbath day. Just as God rested on the seventh day after creating the world, He set an example for us. He paused, glorified, and spent time with His loved ones. A Sabbath day gives you space to rejuvenate. By following God’s example, you can minimize the risk of burnout. Dedicate this day to Him, rest, and reflect. When you follow His lead, the chance of burning out significantly diminishes.
Second, identify what you shouldn’t sacrifice. Life is about juggling responsibilities; some things are as fragile as glass balls. If you let these “glass balls” fall, they could shatter, and putting them back together is hard. These non-negotiables help you prioritize your life as a father, husband, and business owner. Your health is the foundation of everything you do—without it, everything else suffers. Never compromise your health, and don’t sacrifice your family. Spend time with your loved ones—go watch a movie, eat together, and invest in them. Your family is the anchor that keeps you grounded, and balancing your personal and professional life is essential to avoiding stress.
The third way to reduce stress is to plan for the future. Many founders today want to oversee every aspect of their business, but it’s important to highlight what you’re great at and focus on those areas—delegate tasks to trusted employees who align with your values and can carry out your vision. Hire the best people you can find. When you keep doing everything yourself, your business growth becomes limited. Trust your team and build a company that doesn’t depend solely on you.
Finally, invest in yourself—your knowledge and your value. By investing in your own growth, you gain wisdom and skills that you can share with others. Opportunities will open up, and people will take notice of your value. They will approach you for partnerships and respect you as a leader. Why are you running your business in the first place? The end goal is financial security, and investing in yourself will help you reach that goal without burning out.
Whether you start your business too early or not, stress is an inevitable part of the journey. But you don’t have to be enslaved by it forever. By balancing your priorities and making space for rest and growth, you can overcome the anxiety and burnout that comes with running a business. Focus on your priorities, juggle your responsibilities wisely, and add value to yourself in the process.
Now that you know some ways to reduce stress for business owners, I encourage you to listen to my podcast for more insights. And don’t hesitate to reach out to me. Together, we’ll scale your leadership journey to the next level, with faith and growing success.
