Most people suffer from stress at some time in their life.  I know I do.  I get it particularly in my shoulders and neck and that can lead to tension headaches and worse.  Building an online business tends to increase the level of stress, at least during the early years when you’re trying to get your business going. 

Stress can be a good thing.  The rights amount allows you to focus clearly and drive towards target deadlines.  We all know people who shift gears and simply thrive under stress. 

But too much stress can lead to burn out, and no one wants that whilst they’re still building their business! 

Perfectionists and alpha type, highly driven people are particularly prone to stress.  To minimize the amount of stress you take on, I recommend breaking projects down into very small component tests.  Then set small and “smart” goals for yourself.  Working towards these realistic target goals will help you achieve your overall task 0 and so reduce the stress you feel fro the sheer overwhelming enormity of the task!

Unrealistic goals are rarely easily reached and this can add to your stress levels.  Just set goals for yourself on an week by week basis and you’ll feel better.  Use the SMART approach:

·        SPECIFIC:  Pick one small goal and write it down.

·        MEASURABLE:  How will you know when you have achieved it?  Can it be counted or measured in some way?  Or can you check it off a list?

·        ACHIEVABLE:  Is it realistic in the timeframe? If not, make it smaller.

·        REWARD:  Reward yourself when you reach your goal.

·        TIME-LIMITED:  Set a specific, realistic date to finish or achieve your goal.

Another great way to beat stress is to laugh.  Laughter is the body’s natural stress release mechanism.  It’s not always easy see the funny side of a situation when you’re feeling up against the wall so make sure you keep recordings on hand of your favorite movie or book.  That way when the need arises, you can just reach for your personal stress buster! 

And if it all gets on top of you, walk away from it for a while.  A short stress-relieving and energizing walk will help you cope with immediate stress by giving you a chance to step back and think about something else for a few minutes.  Your subconscious is amazing at coping with problems and will help you overcome the most stressful of situations, if you give it chance!

And don’t forget to exercise.  It not only does you good but causes the release of natural endorphins that help you feel better – and it’s hard to feel stressed when you’re feeling good!

Be kind to yourself and remember, stress is good for you in the right dose.  But you need to manage it to ensure you remain effective!

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