Managing the Stress of Business Success: 14 Strategies from Entrepreneurs
Success in business often comes at a cost to the people who achieve it. Long hours, high stakes and relentless pressure can take a toll on even the most driven entrepreneurs and leaders.
Because burnout and stress can significantly impact decision-making, team dynamics and the future of your business, it’s important to proactively address these feelings and manage them effectively. To help you do this, the members of Rolling Stone Culture Council share their tried-and-true tips for dealing with the stress that can come with success.
Recalibrate Your Normal
Recalibrating your normal is crucial to avoid burnout. For me, it was reconfiguring my priorities outside of work and ensuring I carved out enough time for them — coaching my son’s baseball team, getting to the gym every morning and so on. You will lose a few old habits (for me, it was staying up late to watch sports) but stay more balanced. – Anthony Moniello, Next Century Spirits
Remember That Productivity Alone Doesn’t Define Your Success
Know your priorities and set boundaries. Take time to rest, and do activities that bring you joy. I like to walk and get out in nature. Remind yourself that success is not solely defined by productivity, and it is crucial to maintain a healthy work-life balance to prevent burnout. – Karina Michel Feld, Tallulah Films
Have a Trusted Person Remind You to Rest
Early in my entrepreneurial journey, I sacrificed hobbies, my social life and family time, which led to burnout. I now empower someone I trust to pull me aside and tell me when to take a break or vacation, or when to put the phone down. Prioritizing self-care is crucial for long-term success, as it allows you to recharge and return with renewed focus and energy. Balance is key to sustainable success. – Rhett Power, Accountability Inc.
Refill Your Cup First
Take time for yourself. You can’t fill up your team’s cup if your cup is empty. It may feel selfish, but carving time out to do the things you need to feel recharged actually helps everyone! – Sam Saideman, Innovo Management
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Exercise and Travel
The best ingredient for combating burnout or stress is exercise. I walk almost 20,000 steps most days, and it truly helps my mindset on every level. I think better and it calms me down, and I feel more organized and energized. Also, travel helps. Pack up your laptop and work from a new location — seeing new places and things does wonders for the mindset and the soul. – Paul Fitzgerald, Salt & Pepper Media Inc.
Set Work-Life Boundaries
Prioritize self-care by setting firm boundaries between work and your personal life. Taking breaks, having fun with hobbies and maintaining a support network can help recharge emotional energy. Sustained success demands high levels of commitment, and neglecting personal well-being can lead to decreased productivity. Foster a balanced lifestyle to sustain your passion and effectiveness. – Mark Paulda, Mark Paulda & Co
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Recenter to Your North Star
It’s easy to lose track of your priorities when you’re overwhelmed with responsibility. Always have a North Star to help you stay grounded and see the big picture. Success shouldn’t come at the cost of your health and well-being. It’s important to recenter periodically to ensure you’re meeting your own goals. – Dustin Eide, CanPay
Engage Your Brain and Body Through Hobbies
I am a fan of getting into a hobby that forces you to use another part of your brain and body and takes you physically somewhere else. For me, it was martial arts, but it can be any other sport or activity. It helps relieve stress, gives you new friends and allows you to experience a sense of normalcy, which is very different from the high-powered executive lifestyle. – Zain Jaffer, Zain Jaffer Foundation
Focus on Impact Over the Bottom Line
Measure success by your mission’s impact, not the bottom line. When vision and strategy align, you combat burnout. Ground yourself in the ideals that brought you here. Take time to reflect. Visualize your goals as already achieved with affirmations of your purpose. For leaders navigating black-and-white decisions, reconnecting with intent and passion fuels resilience through the toughest challenges. – Andy Hale, Hale & Monico
Practice Self-Care
The most important thing is to prioritize self-care. I personally start each day so that I can surf and set aside time to exercise, keeping in mind the importance of my mental and physical health. Self-care may look different for everyone, so it’s important to find what it is that works for you in your moments of need. Work is important, but health and happiness should always be top of mind. – Jason Peterson, GoDigital Media Group
Delegate to Your Team
Delegate tasks and trust your team to share the workload, even when success feels all-consuming. Empowering others not only lightens your stress but also fosters growth and innovation within your team. Micromanaging can lead to burnout, so focus on strategic leadership. By building a reliable team, you create balance and ensure sustained success without sacrificing your well-being. – Matthew Miller, Orlando Informer
Schedule Time to Recharge
Success often tempts leaders to overwork, but rest fuels long-term performance. Schedule time for exercise, hobbies and loved ones to recharge. Delegate tasks to focus on what truly matters. Taking care of yourself ensures clarity, resilience and sustained success — because you can’t lead effectively if you’re running on empty. – Stephen Nalley, Black Briar Advisors
Stay Grounded by Practicing Gratitude
Churchill stated, “Success is not final, failure is not fatal; it is the courage to continue that counts.” For me, actively practicing gratitude empowers me to keep both my wins and my losses in perspective and to remain connected to the mission — the why — that drives my decisions. Gratitude grounds us in a way that is transformative. – Jed Brewer, Good Loud Media
Build Flexibility Into Your Day
When you’re a business owner, things are constantly changing, especially in the PR and branding world. Instead of sticking rigidly to a schedule, I’ve learned to adapt my day to the flow of tasks, allowing myself space to recharge when needed. This flexibility helps me stay productive and adjust quickly to new challenges without feeling overwhelmed. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC