6 Ways CEOs, Entrepreneurs & Leaders Can Manage Anxiety

Share this post | 4 min read

  

build effective teams (1)

Being an entrepreneur, CEO, or business leader can be extremely rewarding, but it also comes with stress, angst, and sleepless nights. The journey to success can be a long road filled with situations that fuel anxiety. Because anxiety is ever-present in most high-level executives' lives, learning how to deal with it is vital to achieving your goals and building a successful business that can stand the test of time. Read on to learn more about how you can manage anxiety in your daily life.

 

Anxiety is the Enemy of Progress

 

Whether you are an entrepreneur, CEO, or business leader, you must make difficult and complicated decisions daily, so a clear-headed approach is required. Anxiety can make it very difficult to make rational decisions quickly and effectively. When we are anxious, we tend to make decisions based on emotions rather than logic, and this can be problematic when it comes to business. Anxiety can easily interfere with the ability to make decisions that will allow your business to grow and even lead to a business stagnating or deteriorating.

 

Anxiety Affects Everyone

 

It is easy to think that anxiety is a problem that is faced only by people who recently stepped into a high-level role, but the truth is anxiety can affect anyone at any time. Even established business leaders can fall victim to the harmful effects of stress and the impact that it can have on a business. According to research conducted in 2018, as many as 2 in 4 entrepreneurs suffer from anxiety at some point during their careers.

 

Anxiety Can be Managed

 

While it may sound like doom and gloom, the reality is that anxiety can be managed by using a few simple techniques and making some lifestyle changes, such as:

Managing anxiety is an essential skill that every entrepreneur, CEO, and leader should develop so that any potential adverse effects from stress and anxiety can be mitigated before it causes a problem.

 

6 techniques that can be used to manage stress include:

 

1. Physical Activity

 

Introducing physical activities such as walking, swimming, or participating in sport can be very helpful in taking your mind off business. One of the key benefits of exercise includes the fact that physical activity releases a rush of endorphins or feel-good hormones, which reduces stress naturally. Physical activity also gives your brain a kick-start and can help you develop creative solutions to problems and perhaps even find new ideas to make your business grow.

 

2. Reduce Alcohol & Nicotine Intake

 

While the occasional social drink can be helpful, consuming too much alcohol is detrimental to your performance and can exacerbate anxiety and increase stress levels. By carefully managing your alcohol and nicotine intake, you can reduce anxiety and improve your physical and mental performance. Consuming alcohol and nicotine in moderation is the key to success when it comes to managing anxiety.

 

3. Get Enough Rest

 

Many high-level executives feel like they need to work relentlessly to succeed. While it is true that succeeding requires vast amounts of dedication, the advantages, and importance of getting enough rest are often overlooked. Having a regular sleeping pattern and getting enough sleep every night is another powerful tool in your anti-anxiety toolkit. During sleep, your body repairs damage to tissue and muscles and flushes out toxins. We can also solve complex problems while we sleep, which could potentially be very advantageous. Being in good physical shape begins with getting enough rest, and being well-rested makes it easier for you to cope with anxiety.

 

4. Keep Your Thoughts Positive

 

Make sure that you banish negativity from your mind. Negative thoughts can lead to a crippling anxiety spiral that makes it nearly impossible to perform your job. It is also important to surround yourself with people who uplift you, share your dreams and goals, and have a similar mindset. Anxiety thrives on negative thoughts and emotions; by removing them from your mind, you starve anxiety.

 

5. Find Your Source of Inspiration

 

It is essential to make time to read, watch documentary programs and talk to people who inspire you. By doing this, you can gather ideas from others and implement them in your own life and business. This technique not only fights anxiety but can also help you to grow as a person and entrepreneur.

 

6. Seek Balance

 

The most important thing that any CEO, leader, or entrepreneur can do to become and remain a successful businessperson is to seek balance. Make sure to include enough time for hobbies, loved ones, and business in your life so that anxiety remains under control and doesn't influence your performance. Finding balance in your business and personal life can make it much easier to deal with anxiety and stress.

 

In Conclusion

 

Being in a high-level role is difficult, but it can hold great rewards for a determined person. Getting the most from your journey means dealing with problems and situations that cause anxiety daily. Therefore, it is essential to dedicate time to finding ways to manage your anxiety. It is also worth noting that managing anxiety is not something that you have to do on your own; there are several resources available for people who struggle to manage their anxiety, don't be afraid to reach out if you need help.

 

it can feel lonely at the top, but you don't have to approach leadership alone. our adapt & Thrive workshop is designed to give you the tools you need to succeed. 

Adapt & Thrive for Leaders

About the Author

Ray Brosnan

Ray Brosnan is the co-owner of Brosnan Property Solutions, a property maintenance company set up by two brothers in 1997. As an entrepreneur, Ray understands the stress and anxiety that come with setting up and running an SME. That being said, he has realized and used many of the techniques described in the article to find a good work-life balance.
 

Comments

Subscribe to our blog