Some people are content to work for someone else's company as an employee, with the comforts and benefits that their chosen career provides. There is certainly nothing wrong with that! But for those interested in entering the world of entrepreneurship… get ready for a wild ride.
The path to entrepreneurship is a wild one. The passion for the business we're building lives and breathes through those of us who think outside the box, who see something and say, "I can do better." “For us, there is no other world we would rather be in. Being an entrepreneur is exciting and requires passion. It's a world of risk and reward. But this world has a price that we don't talk about enough:our mental health.
If you talk to any entrepreneur or founder, they'll tell you they wouldn't change their life for the world. But what they probably don't tell you is how stressful starting a business is or how easy it is to let your passion turn into an obsession.
It's only been in the last few years that business owners, entrepreneurs, and business founders have started the conversation about mental health while building a business. There is a fear around mental health that makes people uncomfortable.
Talking openly about sanity is like pulling the monster out from under the bed and parading it around for everyone to see. When you're an entrepreneur, others look to you for answers and it can seem like all eyes are watching, waiting for you to fail. There is an unspoken pressure to succeed and it is stressful. If left unchecked, this stress can wreak havoc on your mental health, which can lead to bigger problems. So instead of taking the monster out in the open, we allow it to hide under the bed, free to scare you and feel lonely.
Chronic stress occurs when your passion for your business turns into an obsession. It can cause serious problems for your physical and mental health. Some of the warning signs include:
Neglecting personal relationships can trigger mood vulnerability, putting mental health at even greater risk for anxiety and depression. A 2015 study by Michael Freeman shows that 72 percent of entrepreneurs reported mental health issues and almost 50 percent had one or more mental health issues in their lifetime.
Do these results mean you shouldn't be an entrepreneur? Absolutely not. Instead, it's important to acknowledge concerns and become proactive with your mental health.
A big part of good mental health is recognizing where your vulnerabilities lie. As an entrepreneur, you start as a full-fledged business:align financial support, build the team, hire the right people for the jobs you create, balance the books. You literally became a one-person band, trying to play all the instruments at once. Unfortunately, this is a short-term fix for a long-term problem.
You have an epic idea, you have a solid business plan and a solid financial plan, so now is the time to let your genius shine. Where is your strength? Take the one person group for example; Are you a better drummer or trumpeter. The harmonica is your jam? Apply this to networking, marketing, finance or operations and discover where you are most productive.
In this sense, it is important that you focus on what you can control. Trying to take the reins in all aspects of the business will not bring much success. While you can try to control every aspect of starting the business, it's not sustainable. You will probably manage to control everything like you would control the weather.
Instead, delegate. Many tasks can be outsourced to freelancers or other shops that specialize in your business needs. Entrust a virtual assistant with managing e-mails and making appointments. Hire a videographer for the webinars or video series you want to host. Let an accountant balance the books while an accountant helps you stick to your financial plan. There's no shame in accessing help when you need it – in fact, you're putting your business at risk if you don't.
And finally, it goes without saying that you don't have to become your job. Creating space for downtime is probably the single most important thing you can do for your mental health. But you have to commit to it. That means, unplug, give everyone the weekend, go on vacation with family, or invite friends over who you promise to meet up with "soon." Making space to relax can be the key to better productivity when you need it.
Your success doesn't have to come at the expense of your sanity. Create a plan for yourself and find a trusted friend or spouse to hold you accountable and help prevent your mental health from being a barrier to success.
About Cory Williams
Cory Williams is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, founder and chairman of the board of Epic Health Partners and a member of the board of directors of the Tammy Lynn Center based in Raleigh, North Carolina. Cory is a strong advocate for mental health and wants to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness, especially among men. It offers a free monthly town hall for aspiring entrepreneurs who also want to become "the epic entrepreneur". Click here to learn more:https://www.corywilliams.org/
