How to Manage as an Overwhelmed Business Owner
We know how challenging running a business is even when everything is going well. So, being an overwhelmed business owner can feel nearly impossible.
Over the years, I’ve grown a successful business on my own. The journey has been a roller coaster of stressful downs and fun, rewarding ups. And even when business is going great, life can get in the way.
If you’re curious about how to manage your business during overwhelm, you’re in the right place. Below, I’ll share practical strategies based on my personal experiences and a bit of science to help you balance your personal life, well-being, and business—even during stressful times.
I’ve also created this free resource for you to work through the following sections.
Understand Your Overwhelm
When we get overwhelmed, we may or may not know the cause. It might be one specific event or experience. It may be a combination of many factors.
Take a moment away from the noise and chaos of life to sit with yourself and seek clarity. This usually requires spending time alone away from other priorities, even if for only five minutes. You might go for a walk, take a long shower, or take a silent drive – how might this look for you?
Make a Plan
As a business owner, the tasks are endless. But when you’re an overwhelmed business owner, you can only handle so much, and finding motivation is difficult.
Identify which tasks must be completed over the next few days or week. Consider priorities only. The rest can wait.
If you have big goals like I do, this can be difficult. But during stressful times, we must remember that slowing down is necessary to manage the stress, care for ourselves, and make room for success.
For example, I usually work on marketing tasks every work morning, but when life is life-ing, I know it’s okay to step away from that for a short time.
Do Stress-Relief Activities
Planning for fewer work tasks gives you time to prioritize stress-relief activities. If your mind and body aren’t good, you can’t show up for your business, so this is key.
Some of my go-to practical stress-relief activities as an overwhelmed business owner include:
Rest - Yes, sometimes we simply need rest. Sleep longer or take naps if you can.
Hydrate - This one is the best because everyone can do it. Water is essential for many bodily functions, and when your body feels good, you’re better equipped to manage challenges.
Eat - Similar to drinking water, food is fuel. Your body is more likely to overcome stress when it’s not starved.
Breathe - Breathwork has been the number one game-changer for my stress and anxiety. There is tons of research behind breathwork benefits, which I began learning about when I read the book Breath by James Nestor. This one-minute box breathing exercise is a simple start to feeling calmer.
Go outside - Go outside at least once daily for a few minutes – if not more. If you can go outside as soon as you wake up, even better.
Of course, you can do many other stress-relief activities. But keep it easy if you need to because even simple actions can make a significant difference.
Be Kind to Yourself
“Treat yourself like you would a friend.”
If your friend was an overwhelmed business owner, how would you speak to them? What advice would you give them? Do this for yourself.
Give yourself grace and patience. Say kind words. Do positive things.
If you’re struggling with this, surround yourself with positive people—whether loved ones or strangers in your community.
Limit Technology Usage
It’s no secret – most of us are addicted to technology, and it feels nearly impossible to escape it. The negative effects of technology, including anxiety, disrupted sleep, and inability to focus, keep us from being successful business owners.
Here are the ways I limited technology:
No phone in bed - Put your phone across the room and use a traditional alarm clock. If you need it near you for emergency reasons, don’t look at in bed.
No technology in the morning - Spend at least 30 minutes off screens when you wake up. Get dressed, go outside, and eat breakfast before looking at your phone.
Do not disturb mode - During your workday, put your phone on “do not disturb.” Even better if you can leave it in another room for chunks of the day. (This has been another game-changer for my mental health and productivity!)
Use StayFree - This Chrome Plugin blocks sites, like social media, that might distract you while you’re working.
Just Start – if you can
Even starting tasks can feel nearly impossible during an especially stressful time.
Starting is the most challenging part, but once you're focused on a work task, you’ll often find that you can keep going.
To help with this, consider what you need for focus. For example, an organized workspace, a glass of water, a snack, and focus or upbeat music is the perfect setup for me.
That said, if your mind and body genuinely need a break, allow for that if you can. This requires understanding individual needs and capabilities, which is different for everyone.
Change Your Scenery
If possible, change your scenery. When I’m overwhelmed while at home, it seems much easier to focus on the stress. When I change up my scenery, going into business mode feels more doable.
You might change the scenery in your own home – maybe cuddled up in bed or rearranging your office space. Maybe a coffee shop, co-working space, or library would be better for you. Again, consider what will work best for you.
Acknowledge Your Accomplishments
Being an overwhelmed business owner isn’t easy, and every accomplishment counts. Acknowledge your big and small achievements and feel proud of yourself.
Consider creating a journal or other space where you can record your accomplishments – whether it’s business or life related.
How to Manage as an Overwhelmed Business Owner: Conclusion
I hope you found these tips helpful and feel a bit of hope and inspiration. Life and business will naturally be stressful at times. It’s how we manage it that really matters, and every small step counts.
Action step: Use this simple Q&A activity to help you with each section above.
Disclaimer: This isn’t my expertise, and these suggestions are based only on my personal experiences.
Further resources for handling stress:
