5 Ways to Stop Worrying About Things You Can’t Control in your Business

If you’re experiencing anxiety right now, know that you’re not alone. Focusing on what you can control changes everything, but this can seem overwhelming when you’re juggling the demands of your personal and professional life.?

The pandemic has brought so much uncertainty to our world. From mask mandates to staffing challenges, this has been a season filled with unpredictable challenges for small business owners. We're all carrying more fear than normal, but you owe it to yourself, your team and your business to find solutions for coping with the stress and uncertainty that comes with leading an organization through uncertain times.

In this week's newsletter, we’ll look at 5 ways that you can shift your focus, moving from anxiety about the unknown to controlling what you can control.

Control your expenses

It’s common for small business owners to have volatility in their revenue, especially as their clients’ habits have been impacted by the pandemic. Instead of obsessing solely on declining revenue, shift your focus to something you can control: your expenses. Cost control is an important factor in maintaining and growing profitability. Pull up your bank statement for the past 3 months. There’s a good chance that there are ways to cut back on specific types of spending without sacrificing the quality of your business. Some examples include evaluating your personnel costs and reducing unnecessary subscriptions.

Put it on autopilot

What some have called “The Great Resignation” has been a staffing nightmare for most businesses. If you are a fitness or wellness business that is short-staffed, tap into tech resources like Mindbody’s Messenger [ai] to automate client communications. By making certain business processes “automatic,” services like Messenger [ai] eliminates repetitive tasks, reduces hours wasted on redundant tasks, and helps improve overall productivity.?

Deep dive into your software

With partner software solutions, make sure that you are using all of the features you get in order to reap the full value of your subscription. For my clients that use Mindbody, from how to use the software (running reports, setting up automations) to why to use the software (client retention, staff management), the Mindbody Learning Paths are free resources aimed at helping studio owners and managers get the most from the software and drive their business to the next stage in growth.

Tap into community support

Online communities like industry-specific Facebook groups and LinkedIn provide a safe space for small business owners to be emotionally honest, creating connection in turbulent times. For many, online peer groups provide a type of social support that allows the users to find connection and empathy that they may not have in their in-person communities.?

Know when you need to ask for help

Small business owners often wear many hats and face countless setbacks--lost customers, disputes with partners, increased competition, staffing problems--all while struggling to make payroll. No matter how strong your support network or your self care, big setbacks in your business can knock you flat. According to a recent study by the National Institute of Mental Health, 72% of entrepreneurs are directly or indirectly affected by mental health issues compared to just 48% of non entrepreneurs. If you get to the point where your stress and anxiety are causing you to lose sleep, seek help from your physician or another qualified mental health provider.?

In closing, you’ll be happier, healthier and more effective when you shift your focus from the “what if” to the “what I can control.”?