It’s quite common for entrepreneurs to get so absorbed in their work and forget to have fun.
Many of today’s business people take on very serious personas so they can stay focused on their goals. They always seem like they’re in a constant battle against themselves. Of course, this isn’t what entrepreneurship should be all about.
While there’s no denying that hustling, grinding, stress and strain are all important parts of the entrepreneurial journey, there should also be some room for smiles and laughter.
If you’re an entrepreneur and you never stop taking yourself so seriously, the following happens:
1. It makes you look crazy
Do you often stare at the computer for hours with a game face that just can’t seem to go away? If you also have a hunched back, chances are you look really crazy.
You need to take a step back and relax.
Deadlines aren’t everything. Whenever possible, separate yourself from your entrepreneur counterpart. Take a breather and smile. Besides, smiling makes you more attractive. Even if you think there’s no reason to, do it anyway. It’s scientifically proven that smiling in itself can make you happy.
2. It’s not good for your health
Being too serious, sporting a frown, and sitting down all day can actually drain your physical and mental health.
In fact, overworked people are much more likely to suffer from a heart attack than their more carefree counterparts.
So instead of keeping your game face on all the time, take it off once in a while. Try different ways to have fun at work.
Cracking jokes with your employees, doing some light bodyweight exercises and stretching are all fun ways to keep sickness at bay.
3. It’s better to laugh at yourself
Self-acceptance is a necessary trait for any entrepreneur.
It comes in many forms, and knowing when to laugh at yourself is one of them.
Expressing self-acceptance by learning to laugh at both your successes and shortcomings can make you resilient. On the other hand, having a habit of swearing at yourself or barking obscenities at others is a sure sign of brittleness.
If you or anybody in your team makes a mistake, just point it out lightheartedly and move on. There’s no need for verbal abuse. Nobody wants to work in an environment that’s abusive and promotes shame.
4. It’s not going to help you earn more
Being angry and sad isn’t just unhealthy for your mind and body.
It can also take quite a toll on your earnings. Studies show that people who foster negative emotions at work actually make less money than those who are happy.
When you’re still starting out and business is still shaky, a few things might go wrong here and there. You might end up too distracted to focus on the positive side of it all. However, you can control whether you will focus on the negative or not.
You have to exercise mindfulness. Celebrate accomplishments and always be thankful. Remind yourself of the blessings in your life that make you happy. Always keep them in mind.
How do you find these tips? How do you fight stress as an entrepreneur? Let me know in the comment sections below.
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