Conquering the Curveball of Existential Anxiety as a Business Owner

Picture this: your business has just launched an exciting new product that you know will revolutionize the market – but instead of feeling elated, you have a lingering sense of unease. This could be life throwing you a curveball known as existential anxiety but don’t worry, it happens to almost all entrepreneurs at one point or the other.

Every business owner wrestles with “what-ifs,” creating a cycle that keeps the business small instead of growing like they hoped.

• What if I’m not doing enough?
• What if my competitors are one step ahead?
• What if this is just a huge pipe dream?
• Is this venture truly ‘me’?
• Am I making any difference?

What does existential anxiety mean for your business?

The answer is simple; existential anxiety means worrying non-stop about your business so much that you worry yourself into sickness. This type of anxiety links closely with your identity; as a founder, your business is deeply tied to who you are. Any self-doubt at all can gnaw at your entrepreneurial identity.

What makes it so unique is that this anxiety comes from a good place; initially from a search for meaning and purpose in your work rather than external factors like becoming rich or competitors.

The pressures of running a successful company, managing employees, and making important decisions will often start to take over. Before long, you will start to lose your passion until one day you wake up and realize you have forgotten why you started the business in the first place.

If you’ve been reading this thinking, “That’s me”, then consider implementing the following expert tips to help you re-center yourself and realign how you feel about your business.

In today’s fast-paced business world, the pressure to constantly evolve can trigger feelings of unease and existential angst but, thankfully, there is a way forward.

Tip 1: Remember Your Entrepreneurial Journey

• Reflect on how you started your entrepreneurial journey. Remember the excitement you had as you launched new ideas and projects.
• When business is tough, pause, and think about all you’ve achieved so far, including all those late nights working on something you were passionate about. They were worth it.
• Balance is crucial too, so don’t lose yourself in your work. Carve out moments for personal passions not in any way related to making profit or growth metrics.

Effective leadership is not only about digging deep into strategic decision-making but also requires a healthy dose of emotional intelligence. No matter how many times you hit rock bottom there’ll always be a way to get back up again.

If you start understanding that everyone on your team also experiences moments where they feel lost or unsure about their contributions, not just you as a boss, you won’t always be so hard on yourself.

Which brings us to the second business tip.

Tip 2: Foster a Resilient Business Mindset

• Start by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth and accepting failure as part of the journey. Use all those rocks thrown at you as steppingstones to better things.
• You also want to set realistic goals on a regular basis, while remaining flexible in adapting strategies when needed. The way to do this is to be self-aware to such an extent that you know your strengths and weaknesses.
• Balance hope with practical planning and a healthy dose of optimism while still staying grounded in reality. You do this by surrounding yourself with supportive peers who can provide feedback and encouragement during tough times.
• Don’t ever stop learning, but rather increase your knowledge through books, courses, or mentorships to keep evolving your skills.

Undeniably, running a successful business involves high levels of stress, especially if you are one of those entrepreneurs always chasing goals even when it doesn’t sit right in your stomach because of self-doubt.

Existential anxiety only makes these kinds of feelings worse. You start to question whether you are making any difference at all beyond just profitability. Sometimes you just need to pause and take a step back.

Tip 3: Cultivate Connections Beyond the Workplace

• Finally, you have to have a well-balanced work-life plan to help you keep your head straight and check yourself over time.
• Never forget that you’re you, not a business. Improve your life outside of work to find shared experiences that will create deep connections and reduce the isolation often felt in business ownership. Join clubs, volunteer, or attend local events. Social support helps to buffer stress and existential anxiety by providing perspective and emotional relief.
• Why not try other hobbies away from your typical routine to make any new connections you’ve made even stronger? Whether it’s a weekend hike or cooking class, investing time in personal connections is crucial for maintaining balance as an entrepreneur.

How Therapy Helps with Existential Anxiety

Worrying yourself into the ground is not good leadership. Remember, your mental well-being directly affects those around you so prioritizing personal growth leads to improved leadership.

Fortunately, there are strategies you can implement as an entrepreneur to cope with existential anxieties while still maintaining focus on your objectives. Incorporating mindfulness practices into your routine, such as meditation or journaling, allows you time for self-reflection and leads to greater awareness.

Consider professional help if feelings become overwhelming. Therapy can provide valuable strategies for managing stress and existential concerns. The therapists at our location can help you find the balance and purpose you need to be the best leader and business owner you can be.

Call us to make an appointment today.