How to keep your business afloat when life gets in the way
Grief can often feel unbearable, it’s all consuming and emotionally traumatic. We all handle the loss of a loved one differently, and that’s okay. You may feel angry, lonely, upset, hurt, guilty, and discover emotions you’ve never felt before. It’s a challenging time for anyone, and it can be especially hard if your work life is demanding of your attention. Trying to run your own business while dealing with the five stages of grief can take its toll. Maintaining your normal day-to-day life while processing the reality of losing a loved one is a hard task, and may require a temporary change of lifestyle. If you’re struggling to cope, these pointers might just help.
Take Time Off
This is easier said than done, but remember why you wanted to work for yourself and to run your own business in the first place. The most common reasons are for increased flexibility and control of your own schedule, but the reality is often long hours and higher stress levels! It’s important to recognize that some days will hit you harder than others, and it’s okay to take a day outside of work to deal with your emotions and seek the support of others.
Delegate Workload
Don’t be afraid to delegate some responsibility and workload to your team — remember it’s only temporary. If there isn’t the capacity to offload work, then it may be worth considering the help of freelancers for a couple of months to support your business. This will free up your time and reduce stress. Try not to panic, we all have a tendency to think the worst but sometimes you need to look at the bigger picture.
Seek Knowledgeable Experts
Dealing with losing a loved one is a hard enough process on its own, let alone the thought of then having to plan a funeral service. This can be a stressful and emotionally challenging event, but you’re not alone. The experts at Beyond can help guide you through everything including finding a funeral director. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, it will relieve you of immense pressure.
Speak to a Therapist
If you’re struggling to cope with your emotions and feel yourself sinking into a depressive state, speaking to a therapist can provide support and a light at the end of the tunnel. It can help you to organize your thoughts and progress into the final stage of grief, acceptance. Remember, this is a journey and not a race. There is no deadline to grief, and some may take longer to heal than others. Find a local bereavement counselor and look into support groups who may help, too.
Set Future Goals
Trying to regain focus in your life can be tricky when your head feels like a blur of sadness, but setting yourself goals for both your work and personal life can be a good distraction. It may also give you a burst of inspiration to get your teeth back into your business and maybe even inspire you with some new ideas!
Written by: Jessica Foreman, BOSS Contributor
