What do you do if you're a franchise professional struggling with stress and pressure?

You really must figure out exactly what was getting under your skin. It may seem like everything is a stressor, but once you pinpoint the things that really make you anxious, like for example last-minute reports or dealing with unhappy customers, then you could start tackling them head-on. Like with reports, you can start prepping them in advance whenever possible. For unhappy customers, focusing on active listening and clear communication might help you understand their concerns and find solutions that works. That shift in approach can make a huge difference in how you will manage those situations moving forward.

Often times key stressors in ones franchise life are simply distractors that are masked as important tasks. It's important to write down moments when stressed and try to identify the cause. Do this for 7 days. Then on the 8th day, find 1 hour of quiet time along with your favorite beverage and work to identify legitimate stressors vs. imitators. For the legitimate ones, contemplate ways to reduce their occurrences. For the imitators, choose to eliminate them from triggering extra stress and anxiety. Remember, it's a mindset and choosing the right mindset is critical for a healthy franchise life/work balance.

You were hired to put points on the board. Put points on the board, then try your very best to go home and enjoy family. Forget about the game temporarily.

Tackling stress starts with pinpointing the cause. What situations, tasks, people, or happenings press your stress buttons? What makes you feel swamped, irked, edgy, or fired up? How does that impact the way you work, connect, and feel? Identifying these stress hotspots lets you strategize on how to dial them down, ditch them, or deal with them better. ????

One of the best stress relievers for me has been building trust with teammates, coworkers, cohorts, vendors, partners, etc. Once you build that trust, you can delegate more freely. Let go of ones own pride and make a choice to minimize micromanagement while trusting the team around you to perform in the role that's been given them.

Early in my franchise career I thought holding regular meetings was a waste of time giving people the opportunity to vent their miscellaneous balderdash. And indeed a lot of it was just that until structure entered the proverbial room. Structure to any communication whether in person or virtual is a critical element. Don't meet just for the sake of meeting. Define a purpose for every form of communication including goal(s) while holding everyone in the meeting accountable. Often times we can think, "shouldn't everyone know what I'm thinking, doesn't everyone know what I'm doing?" Clear and concise communication can not only help one grow but it can also prevent future misunderstandings which can be cancerous to any franchise business.

Remind yourself daily, "I'll never become antiquated in my thoughts and actions. I'll grow and learn with the current generation." If you make yourself this promise, you'll inevitably grow and be a happier person overall. Remember, it's better to burn out than fade out. Neither is good but at least if you burn out, you'll have no regrets but if you fade out, well you'll just simply fade away...

In the demanding world of franchising, mindfulness offers a respite from stress. Consider these three activities: Guided Meditation: Begin your day with a short guided meditation using apps like Headspace or Calm to center your thoughts and reduce anxiety. Mindful Walking: Incorporate brief, mindful walks into your day, focusing on the sensations of walking and the environment around you to clear your mind and boost creativity. Gratitude Journaling: End the day by listing three things you're grateful for, shifting focus from stress to positivity and improving resilience over time. Adopting these practices can enhance well-being, leading to better stress management and professional performance.