How to Handle Stress and Build Resilience
To thrive at work, these three pros sought balance in their lives and set clear boundaries. Here are their eight tips
These past couple of years have given us all a masterclass in stress – and small business owners have shouldered more than their fair share of it. We asked three pros to reveal how they’ve developed resilience during stressful times and to provide tips on how you can, too. We’d also love to hear your words of wisdom in the Comments.
“I heard something powerful recently; a friend told me to control my ‘controllables’, set myself small goals to celebrate the wins, and try to learn from mistakes. This has helped me keep looking forwards as a small business owner,” Allie says.
“Setting a clear schedule for working hours has helped me reduce stress levels, because it’s given back valuable time with family. I’ve learned that valuing my own time and family time are just as important as my career.
“Also, learning to understand that not every client will value a design fee as a tangible service and that discounting in order just to get a job is not the best advice I can give myself,” she says.
“Setting a clear schedule for working hours has helped me reduce stress levels, because it’s given back valuable time with family. I’ve learned that valuing my own time and family time are just as important as my career.
“Also, learning to understand that not every client will value a design fee as a tangible service and that discounting in order just to get a job is not the best advice I can give myself,” she says.
“Without the skills of stress management, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of running your own business,” says Jung Yun, principal interior designer at Studio Jung. “By staying calm, you can remain focused on your objectives and keep your problem-solving hat on.
“All this helps to build resilience and your overall sense of achievement at the end of each day,” she says.
“I think we’ve all experienced the stress of dealing with the impacts of Covid. For me, the usual stress of running my own business has been compounded by the demands of homeschooling,” Jung continues. “It adds a whole new level to the need for stress management skills and resilience.
“I’ve had to mindfully develop strategies that help deal with the challenges and make a positive difference to my life,” she says.
“All this helps to build resilience and your overall sense of achievement at the end of each day,” she says.
“I think we’ve all experienced the stress of dealing with the impacts of Covid. For me, the usual stress of running my own business has been compounded by the demands of homeschooling,” Jung continues. “It adds a whole new level to the need for stress management skills and resilience.
“I’ve had to mindfully develop strategies that help deal with the challenges and make a positive difference to my life,” she says.
“You have to manage expectations and distractions,” says Kathy McKinnon, principal interior designer at Kathy McKinnon Interiors.
“Years ago, I’d work insane hours exploring all the options, which depleted my energy levels,” she says. “Now in those situations, I step back to look at the big picture and make sure I’m not being distracted from what needs to be done and the decisions that need to be made. I try to stay focused to work effectively to deliver the best possible design solutions for each client.”
Find, follow and network with other pros on Houzz.
“Years ago, I’d work insane hours exploring all the options, which depleted my energy levels,” she says. “Now in those situations, I step back to look at the big picture and make sure I’m not being distracted from what needs to be done and the decisions that need to be made. I try to stay focused to work effectively to deliver the best possible design solutions for each client.”
Find, follow and network with other pros on Houzz.
So how do you manage stress and develop resilience?
Kathy McKinnon says:
1. Build mental, physical and emotional fitness These things are very important to me and allow me to sustain a productive workload, while keeping me inspired and grateful to my clients for giving me the opportunity to work on their exciting projects.
I try to take time out each day to exercise. I’m pretty disciplined and love exercising first thing in the morning.
Kathy McKinnon says:
1. Build mental, physical and emotional fitness These things are very important to me and allow me to sustain a productive workload, while keeping me inspired and grateful to my clients for giving me the opportunity to work on their exciting projects.
I try to take time out each day to exercise. I’m pretty disciplined and love exercising first thing in the morning.
2. Get rest It’s important to develop good sleep patterns and know when to stop working in the evening. If I’m in a really busy period of work, I need to be able to perform well the next day and not be tired, and a good night’s sleep is essential for this.
3. Stay connected Connecting with family, friends and your community is, I believe, the ultimate refresh button.
Jung Yun says:
4. Be organised Take time out to plan and prioritise your objectives, both short- and long-term.
Organising my daily and weekly tasks helps me stay focused on my objectives, so I use my time effectively. Apart from starting my day with time dedicated to assessing my schedule, emails and to-do list, I do a weekly overview of my projects and allocate my time accordingly.
Of course, every day has its unexpected challenges, phone calls and problem-solving needs, so some flexibility needs to be built in.
4. Be organised Take time out to plan and prioritise your objectives, both short- and long-term.
Organising my daily and weekly tasks helps me stay focused on my objectives, so I use my time effectively. Apart from starting my day with time dedicated to assessing my schedule, emails and to-do list, I do a weekly overview of my projects and allocate my time accordingly.
Of course, every day has its unexpected challenges, phone calls and problem-solving needs, so some flexibility needs to be built in.
5. Be realistic Try not to set unrealistic commitments and project deadlines to help minimise stress levels.
I’ve personally had to develop the strength to occasionally say ‘no’ to clients, both potential and existing. I’m getting better at it, thankfully, so I don’t overcommit or disappoint. It’s about managing client expectations and communicating with them clearly from the start.
I’ve personally had to develop the strength to occasionally say ‘no’ to clients, both potential and existing. I’m getting better at it, thankfully, so I don’t overcommit or disappoint. It’s about managing client expectations and communicating with them clearly from the start.
6. Seek balance Setting aside time for myself, my family and my friends helps me stay balanced and reminds me of the important things in life.
I tend to work late into the night on week days once my child goes to bed, so weekends are when I try to switch off and give myself time out.
I tend to work late into the night on week days once my child goes to bed, so weekends are when I try to switch off and give myself time out.
Allie Duval says:
7. Be mindful of your working hours and set a clear schedule This has helped me immensely in managing my workload and staying on track. At the start of the week, I’ll check for new projects, liaise with clients, and set up expectations and the schedule for the coming week.
7. Be mindful of your working hours and set a clear schedule This has helped me immensely in managing my workload and staying on track. At the start of the week, I’ll check for new projects, liaise with clients, and set up expectations and the schedule for the coming week.
8. Make time for family A daily walk with my son and our new puppy gets me out of the house and feeling the sun on my face. I use this time to chat with my son about his school day and hear what’s going on in his life.
Every afternoon, my husband and I have a cup of tea and bounce around what’s happing in our work lives, discuss new clients or projects, talk about anything exciting coming up, or trouble-shoot. Even though we’re not in the same small businesses, we still feel as if we’re working with a team member and it’s not so isolating. I look forward to this time every day.
Every afternoon, my husband and I have a cup of tea and bounce around what’s happing in our work lives, discuss new clients or projects, talk about anything exciting coming up, or trouble-shoot. Even though we’re not in the same small businesses, we still feel as if we’re working with a team member and it’s not so isolating. I look forward to this time every day.
How does Houzz Pro help?
“Houzz Pro is like my personal secretary without the additional salary,” Allie says. “It’s the software platform that keeps me organised and on track, and allows me to remember all the things I don’t.
“It’s perfect for note-taking, design ideas and everything in between. I couldn’t be happier with the functionality of the system,” she says.
“Houzz Pro is like my personal secretary without the additional salary,” Allie says. “It’s the software platform that keeps me organised and on track, and allows me to remember all the things I don’t.
“It’s perfect for note-taking, design ideas and everything in between. I couldn’t be happier with the functionality of the system,” she says.
“Houzz Pro is an invaluable time-saver for me,” Jung says. “Anything that helps me manage my time more effectively helps reduce my stress levels. Houzz Pro allows me to manage the administration, product sourcing/management, and presentation aspects of my projects all in a single program.
“It helps to have everything stored and linked in one central database, especially when you’re handling a high number of projects at one time,” she adds.
“It helps to have everything stored and linked in one central database, especially when you’re handling a high number of projects at one time,” she adds.
“It’s important to have a super-organised and efficient business in order to maximise productivity. Houzz Pro software allows me to do that,” Kathy says. “The analytic tools are very easy to use. At a glance, I can see what trends clients are looking at and what projects they’re seeking.
“It’s an open communication system that utilises a lot of useful resources while marketing my profile and business,” she says.
Tell us…
How have you built resilience and learned to manage stressful times? Let us know in the Comments.
“It’s an open communication system that utilises a lot of useful resources while marketing my profile and business,” she says.
Tell us…
How have you built resilience and learned to manage stressful times? Let us know in the Comments.
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“In the beginning, trying to please everybody and believing that I had to respond to every inquiry right at that moment left me very stressed,” she says. “Also, taking things personally left me disappointed when, in reality, it was more about my own expectations of myself and others.”