Lifestyle

The 10 Ways To Keep Your Sanity As An Entrepreneur

by Eddie Cuffin

The current economic standing in this country makes it extremely difficult to find a secure job with longevity. People are getting laid off left and right, causing even professionals with longtime tenure to unexpectedly lose their positions. What is worse than being at a company for quite some time, only to randomly be handed a pink slip?

You find yourself back at square one, realizing there is no point in working for someone else and lacking the desire to start from the bottom to prove yourself as an asset. When you find yourself at this crossroads, it is in your best interest to put your energy towards an untapped passion and explore new options.

Nothing comes easily in this world, and this is particularly true for entrepreneurs. The competition is fierce out there, especially for Generation-Y, and everyone wants a hand in the pie.

The combination of competition, hard work, blood, sweat and tears makes for an extremely high-pressure environment, which slowly takes a toll on your sanity. Maintaining sanity over the course of pursuing entrepreneurship may be one of the most difficult aspects of starting your own company. Thus, here are the ten ways to keep your sanity as an entrepreneur.

Know that relationships are just a figment of your imagination.

There is no reason to chase something that doesn't exist. In this modern era, you are more likely to build a company out of thin air and sell it on the stock exchange than you are to have a successful relationship. Men are not men anymore, and women are not what they used to be. There is no point in trying to put so much energy into something that will never be there. Concentrate on your goals and focus on building your business, which is more likely to bring you satisfaction and joy than your attempt at a relationship.

Choose an industry you are passionate about.

The problem today is that many people put too much energy into concentrating on how to make the most money possible rather than trying to pursue their passions. When you find something you are passionate about, you are willing to go above and beyond to make sure your idea works. Life is all about working hard, so why not work on something that’s fulfilling? Trust us, when you become successful, you will enjoy the journey much more.

Nothing in the world comes easily. You will be pushed to your limits.

If success were so easily attainable, everyone would be successful. Wake up! You are in the big leagues, so be prepared to work your ass off. There will be times you will just want to fold up into a ball and forget about everything around you, but you're better than that. When times get rough, collect yourself, know that it will only get better, and be ready for the next day. There is no time for you to mope around, dwelling on the occasional negatives.

Understand that time is your most valuable asset.

Time waits for no man. We repeat: time waits for no man. There is no time for you to waste sitting around being a free spirit. Figure out what you want and invest your time and energy into it wholeheartedly.

Although you may need a day off once in a while to collect yourself and refresh your mind and body, you must understand that, as an entrepreneur, there is no time to waste. With limited resources in the beginning stages, it's crucial to concentrate all of your time and energy on your business foundation in order to build the walls for a long line of future success.

Each day brings new opportunity. Do not let the past affect your performance today.

As an entrepreneur, you should expect the road to be a little bumpy at times. It’s not always going to be glitter and gold, especially in the beginning. One small mistake can set you back days or weeks, but those setbacks make for a stronger foundation and prepare you for crises to come. There is nothing more to do than dust it off and get back to the grind. Life will throw you several unexpected lows, but it is how you react that sets the pace for the future. No matter what happens today, tomorrow brings you a clean slate.

There will always be work to be done, but rest is just as important as keeping up with your duties.

The workload may seem endless at times, and amidst even the most stressful times, it is important to keep yourself refreshed and rested. The stress of the day-to-day operations of your business can be quite burdensome and wear you down both physically and mentally. It is extremely important that you take care of your body and ensure that you get enough rest to function.

If you’re killing yourself over work and failing to get substantial rest, your work will only suffer from your inability to focus and give 100 percent. Give your body some time to recharge. You always want to be on your A-game when it comes to doing your work.

Appreciate your employees.

Managing your employees may be the hardest part of the job. At times, you may find yourself doing more babysitting than anything else. To avoid having to hold anyone’s hand and guide them through their job, surround yourself with people that you can rely on. Once you find these people, it is imperative that you do whatever it takes to keep them around. No one wants to waste time on the constant prowl for employees that fit the profile.

Keep the hardworking employees that prove to be assets, let them know their value, and make sure they are happy. Just a simple expression of gratitude, or going the extra mile to show your appreciation, may do the job. Knowing how to treat your employees and keeping them motivated will prove to be one of the key features to running a successful start up.

Understand that things will never go as planned; be malleable.

As an entrepreneur, you will spend most of your time working and planning for the future. Similar to life, there will be certain events you can plan for, while other things will happen unexpectedly. It's important that you learn how to keep your cool and expect the unexpected. Your ability to be malleable and adapt to the shifting conditions of your company will be critical to your sanity. You cannot be flustered by the surprises and turning tables that will surely occur throughout your endeavor.

Know your role; don't overexert yourself.

Find a healthy balance between work and life. Although your business is your life’s work, it is important that you stimulate your mind with other interests. Concentrating solely on work 24/7 can be quite stressful, and it could lead to your resentment of what was once your dream. Balance is the most difficult concept for us to master as human beings, yet it is the most critical to our happiness.

While you are motivated and the desire to succeed reigns above all, there is no amount of money more important than your well-being.

You're only as good as the company you keep.

Surround yourself with the right people; it will be imperative to the survival and development of your company. Also, good company will make the process flow more smoothly, considering that your good company will be your team of employees, or rather, your family. As a good leader, it’s best to enlist people in your goal who are just as motivated and dedicated to the project as you are. You have spent your life networking for this moment. Don't throw it all away by hiring people who aren’t team players in every aspect of the name.

Bonus: Understand what success means to you.

The most important thing when it comes to keeping your sanity is making sure you truly understand your idea of success. Success is a subjective thing, as it depends on what the individual desires and envisions as the true meaning of the word. There is no point in mindlessly working and spending time on a project that has no definitive goal. Give yourself a goal; it is the only way you will be able to properly gauge your progress.

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