What Works: Stressed Entrepreneur? You are not alone!


This month, I’ve been writing along a general theme. Have you noticed yet? You are not alone! This week, I am posting on a Tuesday because life was preparing me to write this column. I had a day of complete and total entrepreneurial stress.

I wake up to find Office 365 having a hissy fit. Between two group meetings and one mentorship appointment, I had to reset my computer system and reinstall Office 365. In the middle of all this, I find out the staff email changes I put in place turned my email services upside down. I wasn’t getting my emails and I had project due. It was enough for me to scream and crash into an entrepreneurial puddle of stress.

This morning, I picked up the phone to wish my sister a happy birthday. My sister is 17 years older than me and has worked for herself since I was born. Her words were music to my ears. Entrepreneurial stress is normal.

What Works Credo for the Entrepreneur
We work hard. Sometimes the money flows. Sometimes the unexpected happens and the money seems to go out faster than its going in. Still we work. We work for the passion. We work because it’s play. We work to change our communities, to change the work, to change ourselves. We innovate. We don’t think like other people. We fight through the lean to get to the abundance. We are tenacious. We are a little crazy. We live and breathe what we do. Some cheer us on. Others don’t understand. But the fire burns deep within us. It may not be 9 to 5, but we change lives. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

Read that when you are stressed. Read it when employees are challenging. Soak it in when you need a boost.
There is a reason everyone isn’t an entrepreneur. It’s not easy! Sure, we can make it look easy. People may envy our outward appearance of ease and flexibility. But under the water, we are ducks. And those feet are going a million miles per hour!

If you haven’t found a networking group, find one. Groups where you can find like-minded people, even if its attending Winter Wine, Spirits, and all that Jazz this coming month, are priceless. We are all on the same crazy boat, us entrepreneurs. We don’t arrive at 8, leave at 5, and have a nice reliable check. We are at the helm of the boat no matter what the seas are doing. And, folks, we need each other.

We don’t just need each other for business, although that is good. We need each other for moral support. Because I don’t care how entrepreneurial you are. Some days you just have a hell of a day and you need someone to hold onto as the boat is rocking.

I’m so grateful I came from a family based in entrepreneurship. My sister reminded me that family is important in times of entrepreneurial stress. If your family isn’t in business for themselves, build a family. Heck, I’ll be your first family member. You are not alone.

LEARN AND GROW
Every Monday Beginning February 6, 2017: Motivation Monday with Diane Dye Hansen at Adams Hub for Innovation from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Email grow@adamshub.com to schedule an appointment)

NEW DATE - February 24, 2017: Vision Board and Vision Statements Workshop hosted by The Sophisticates Networking Group at Round Table Pizza on Topsy Lane, Carson City – 6:30 pm – Members: $20 – Non-Members: $30 Email diane@whatworkscoaching.com for details.

March 21, 2017: How to Use LinkedIn to Build Your Business – Tuesday Lunchbox Training Noon – 1:00 pm at Adams Hub for Innovation

April 12, 2017: Diane mentors at Entrepreneurs Assembly (Occurs the 2nd Wednesday of each month in The Studio at Adams Hub for Innovation)

Schedule your individual or group coaching session, including a free 30-minute consultation at www.whatworkscoaching.com

ABOUT WHAT WORKS COACHING
Diane Dye Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a coaching firm based in Carson City which provides powerful outside perspective to individuals and organizations. The company does this through its three divisions: recruitment/career services, business services, and creative services. Diane has 20 years of experience working with top corporations, growing businesses, motivated entrepreneurs, and individuals hungry for a fresh start. She holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and Marketing from Cal State San Bernardino. She is also a candidate for a Master’s degree in Communications Management from the University of Southern California. Her column appears every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, in Carson Now.