There is something I have always struggled with in business and charity work.  Not only can work be a place of great satisfaction, but it can be a place of extreme stress at times. Now here’s the thing, I can’t tell you how to get rid of all stress, but hopefully, I can help with a bit of perspective. 

The stress of running a business is real and the conversations are hard.  Sometimes there are payroll pressures, growth opportunities, a lack of engagement, team members that don’t get along, currency changes, government policies, systems that are broken or need investment, travel, internet issues, the dreaded Zoom fatigue...the list goes on and on.  All of these I have experienced…all of which have kept me up all night at times. 

Here are my top tips for dealing with the pressures of growth:  

1. Learn what is important enough to be delt with first. The art of prioritization is important. The more I learn about leadership, the more I realise that PRIORITISING the important is the most important thing a leader can do. I have met with leaders that are focusing on minor issues because they are passionate about that issue, but neglect the very thing that is hindering the growth. 

2. Find people who can do the things you aren’t good at. I am a Yorkshire man (if you don’t know what this means, it means I like to save money;  I don’t like to waste a single dime.  We are known for that) . Here’s the thing, and it’s one of the most important things I tell my clients…find the things ONLY YOU can do and then hire for your weaknesses.

3. It's OK to take the foot off the gas. Not every moment is about growth. Sometimes it’s ok to just pause, that might be for a day, a month or a season. I believe in hard work, I have been criticised in the past for my work ethos BUT I have recently learnt the value of REST and balance. Don’t feel guilty, take the self-talk to a kind tone and get some rest. The business will thank you for it and more than likely so will your staff. Rest will increase your creativity, capacity and your ability to sustain. 

The real trick to growth is to do it sustainably... If you want help doing that... WE would love to help!  Please reach out to us so we can connect in person, or another great place to start is with our eBook and workbook you can find right here on our website.

Onward,

Ben Cooley