Mental Health & Running a Business

A few days ago I was in a Clubhouse room where Elon Musk was speaking on a range of topics from aliens, to bitcoin and, of course, Tesla. He was asked by the moderator why he felt the world did not have more Elon Musks. His answer to this question was what made waking up at 6am to listen to this interview worthwhile. It is also the foundation of this article.

Elon responded that he’d gone through long periods of his life that were very painful and difficult. He did not think that people would want to relive the same experiences, and he emphasised that he has a strong compulsion to do what he does. He then went on to say, 

‘If somebody wants to be me, or do the things I’ve done, most probably you’re mistaken. You’d not want to do that. You’d probably have to have some rake demon in your skull that you’d just have to get it done.’ 

Lastly, he said, if an entrepreneur needs encouragement to do a start up, then don’t do a start up. It hit me; if Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, experienced extended periods of pain in his journey as an entrepreneur, then any pain I feel on my entrepreneurial journey is not uncommon.

With any business, and with life in general, there are certain to be peaks and valleys. Oftentimes, the valleys in business are not spoken of unless it is something deemed major, and more so, the mental health of an entrepreneur during those times are spoken of even less.

In an interview with Remi Ray discussing my first year in business, I was asked what I have learnt that I wish I had known prior to running a business. I responded that I wish I had known how resilient I needed to be. That I would fail and fail again, but that I’d need to pull myself back up, and back up stronger, over and over again.

Operating a business during a pandemic will inevitably add further pressure to one’s mental health. Whether sales are stalled due to being in the travel and tourism industry, or booming beyond imagination because the business is an online subscription service - either way, mental health is sure to be affected.

We at TEGEMEA have thought of a few things to help support the mental health of entrepreneurs and busy individuals during a pandemic and beyond.

Allow yourself to experience what you’re currently experiencing - with the view to work through it and give the emotions a deadline! 

It may sound counterintuitive, however, feeling and working through on-set emotions can allow you to find clarity about what led you to that emotion and what you can do differently going forward. Your body knows what it needs, and provides you with constant signals. Listening to them can give you the space to think freely.

Ensure you have a solid support system

Whether it’s people you can problem solve with, or people you can vent a little to. Keeping all your thoughts in your head is not healthy.

Re-write out, or review and organise your to-do list

Re-writing out your to-do list when you're feeling overwhelmed can help with tricking your brain into thinking you are starting afresh. In this, assess realistic target dates - move them if you need to. Rate each task by priority and delegate where necessary.

Reflect on how to improve without self flagellation

You are going to make mistakes. You are human. The quicker you accept that, the quicker you can move forward. 

Delegate

You cannot do everything - even if you tried. Two people working towards the vision is better than one. So if you can get additional help, then do. 

Let go

You can only do what you can do, and only that which you can control.

Remind yourself that you are great

If you’re learning, you’re growing, and you have all you need to succeed - whether it’s in you, or around you! Positive self-talk should be a daily activity.