If you’re worried about a presentation, an approaching deadline, or even a decision you’ve made, relaxation is probably the last thing on your mind. However, the business world is full of stressful situations, and if you want to navigate through it successfully, you need to pick up a few positive habits that can help you cope when the going gets tough.
Anxiety doesn’t have to overwhelm you, and with the following eight tips you’ll be better equipped to deal with it when it arises. From acknowledging your fear to taking advantage of silence, here are a few tricks you can use to get back to health, as recommended by the members of Council for Young Entrepreneurs.
Members of the Young Entrepreneur Council share tips for calming anxious feelings you can get as an entrepreneur.
Photos courtesy of individual members.
1. Practice gratitude
There is one steadfast practice that I would recommend to anyone who is feeling overwhelmed and that is taking the time to think about what you are grateful for. While a regular practice of gratitude is crucial to having the right mindset to live a fulfilling life, during difficult times it is a priceless way to instantly gain a different perspective. I’ve made sure that the mantra “love, not fear” guides every move I make, so if something doesn’t feel right or goes through my mind, it means I’m approaching the situation from the wrong angle. In that situation, the first thing to do is change the perspective, which is done by being grateful. Keeping a “Gratitude Stone” handy serves as a reminder to look at the bigger picture and find a way to change the situation from a source of fear to a source of love. – David Henzel, Job station
2. Acknowledge and refocus your thoughts
When you are anxious, your mind is usually overtaken by negative thoughts. These thoughts can be overwhelming, especially if they are persistent. A great way to stop them is to simply acknowledge them and then focus your mind back on positive thoughts. In short, acknowledge that you are anxious and accept it, but don’t give in to the negative feedback loop. For example, if you’re scared of a presentation and focus on how much you’re going to screw up, try forcing yourself to focus on why you’re giving the presentation in the first place. Focusing on the positive reinforces those thoughts and helps you achieve your goals. – Kelly Richardson, Infobrandz
3. Identify the source of your fear
I am trying to identify the true source of the fear. Am I kidding myself? Or that the people I cast will say to me, “No, thank you”? It might even help to write, “Why am I worried?” on a piece of paper and try to write an answer to that question. You can use your own answer to focus your efforts on solutions. Calm your mind with the thought that you are in control of what you can control simply by putting your best, most honest effort forward. That knowledge alone will help you make peace with any outcome, even if you don’t get the one you wanted. As business leaders, we like to think we’re in control, but sometimes you can ease the pressure and anxiety in your head by realizing that’s not always true. – Tyler Bray, TK Trailer Parts
4. Consult a trusted friend
When I feel anxious, I like to talk about it. It could be with a friend, someone I trust, my mentor, a business partner, or someone I feel comfortable with. It helps me get the anxiety off my chest and get back into a healthier mindset. Sometimes talking to others also helps me find a solution or a way to better handle the situation. – Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
5. Stop and take a deep breath
When I feel anxious, I stop and take a deep breath. I then take some time to examine my feelings and figure out what is causing my anxiety. To stay centered, I might find a calming word or phrase to repeat to myself. Finally, I will change my mind by thinking about the pros and cons of the situation or decision in question. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
6. Take a soothing walk
I’ve found that the best way to calm my mind and get productive again is to take a walk and listen to an audiobook, podcast, or some music. Whether it’s the day before a big conference or while stressing about submitting a big project, taking a walk helps calm me down and let my mind wander without stress. Even a 20-minute walk to a nearby coffee shop is meditative. Once I sit down I come back with clarity, focus and a plethora of ideas as a bonus. – Karl Kangur, Above house
7. Make use of silence and meditation
Get quiet. Get into your mind and calm it down. Meditation practice is one of the best forms of training that I incorporate into my professional and personal life. The benefits cannot be overstated. When you’re anxious, your mind runs a million scenarios about how bad something could go or how wrong it went in the past. These exercises are completely fruitless. Be in the present and change your mind to calm these past or future scenarios. They call meditation an “practice” because it takes practice to be fully attuned to the present possibilities. It takes discipline, but every moment that is tuned is worth a million. – Matthew Capala, Alphametric
8. Consider How You Can Improve
When I’m concerned about something, I tend to rethink my approach on how to successfully achieve it without fumbling or making a mistake. In addition to thorough planning, I try to figure out which elements of each terrifying task actually make me nervous and why. Then I wonder how I can avoid that next time. More specifically, I think about how I can use it as a learning opportunity for the future. Then I plan each step for how I will achieve it more successfully next time. This can include things like planning better, getting plenty of rest, eating healthy foods, and avoiding situations that can cause extra stress beforehand. – John Hall, Calendar
