3 ways to avoid depression as an entrepreneur

[RETIRED SINNER]

Depression is a dark and lonely place to be in no matter what someone does for a living. Entrepreneurs face a unique set of challenges when depressed. That's because for many entrepreneurs, their personal health is reflected in their business health.

When you're depressed, you're not productive. When you're not productive, your business suffers. When your business suffers, your depression deepens. And the cycle continues and can become more insidious with every iteration.

Entrepreneurs know that their business successes are personal successes -- and their business challenges are personal challenges. The phrase “it’s not personal; it’s business” doesn’t apply to them. And so a personal struggle like depression leads to business challenges, including lost revenue and team conflicts.

So how can business leaders reach the light at the end of the depression tunnel and avoid toxic triggers?

1. Find a safe space.​

Part of what gives depression its power is the shame -- and the need to conceal those feelings. Brené Brown speaks eloquently about how vulnerability can eradicate shame. Seeking therapy is always a good idea for someone suffering with depression.

Having an entrepreneurial support system isn’t a bad idea either. Mastermind groups can be a safe place to share business and personal struggles. The fellow entrepreneurs in a mastermind group may have a deep understanding of the issues you're facing and can provide keen insights for solutions.

2. Close the gap.​

It’s natural for entrepreneurs to chase the horizon. But when you’re in a depressed state, the horizon seems further and further away.

What once was a lofty goal turns into an unachievable, daunting odyssey. Dan Sullivan, the founder of Strategic Coach in Toronto, teaches a very powerful lesson that helps turn the tables on this phenomena. He calls it "closing the gap." In essence, an individual shifts his or her perspective from looking forward to looking backward.

In depression, you tend to focus on everything you haven’t achieved and focus solemnly on where you think you should be.

Instead, practice the act of looking back, acknowledging and celebrating what you have accomplished. Observe and appreciate every step, big or small, that you’ve taken traveling on the path toward your vision.


With this practice, you'll see that you're closer to your goals than your depression wants you to believe. Closing the gap will give you positive, motivating fuel to take more action.

3. Go on an information fast.​

If you have ever been bombarded with Facebook posts about one person's success, followed by another and another, then you might understand that sometimes those "uplifting" and "motivating" posts can have the opposite effect, especially for someone with depression.

Sure, those posts and articles can help individuals see what's possible and provide motivation for stepping up their game. On the other hand, if you're suffering from depression, those posts could trap you in a detrimental comparison mindset. You might think, "Look, there’s another person who’s killing it and I’m still stuck.They must be special. I must be broken."

Sometimes the best thing to do is to remove yourself from such triggers. Unplug from Facebook. Don’t read those posts. Perhaps, you need to turn away from consuming information so that you can have the space for producing.

Try new things when it looks like what your doing is not working take some time out, have time to relax and rest your brains
Try lookingfor tips on how to rest your mind when work isn't giving u all you need, you cannot kill yourself because your an entrepreneur

 

[Psalmsavatar]

I have to agree that when the business is going down the entrepreneur is susceptible to depression because his mindset is focused on the problem. One of the ways to control the onset of depression is to get moral support from friends. Invite friends to your place for some drinks and snacks just to give you time for chatting. It's not about the business at first but anything under the sun. After an hour of chatting on any topics that is the time that you bring up your business problems.

Sincerely, the fact you presented is right. The only way to avoid depression by an entrepreneur is to delegate duties and take break regularly.

 

[ranaabubakar263]

Don't take depression. But usually the rise of depression amongst entrepreneurs is growing to an all-time high. , it isn’t always easy to find information on how entrepreneurs can manage and overcome depression. But you take easy at every stage every problem has a solution.

 

[Emma Aneni]

How productive one could be is not gender based, so there's no need to start a gender war here. Productivity is either in built or self acquired over the years through experience in many fields. One with smart mind tends to strive more.

 

[Joseph555]

business is full of risk and risks come with depression so there is no way you can avoid depression in business especially when business is no longer yielding.
It is advisable to try all possible best to control emotions to avoid unnecessary stress.
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business is full of risk and risks come with depression so there is no way you can avoid depression in business especially when business is no longer yielding.
It is advisable to try all possible best to control emotions to avoid unnecessary stress.

 

[Tinaconcept]

Not only entrepreneurs but we all as human being face one challenge or the other at a point in our life, his we manage these challenges determines what comes out of it because if care is not taken it leads to depression when you over think it. Be around friends to help.

 

[marky]

We all know that depression kills. But what a writing or article you have there. This depression most times can over shadow your will to do anything, to continue and to even believe things can still work. But looking back and being grateful is welcome step to overcoming depression.

 

[Nurudeen]

This is a good piece from you on how to curb depression as an entrepreneur. Often times a lot of young people finds difficulty in doing business and they need to know how to break out from the problem they are passing through so I think your points here is good for an entrepreneur

 

[singlej007]

Depression is common especially if a man has serious issues at hand, either business, family or personal. But just like you said, is good to find a space and let go no matter what, secondly avoid staying alone, express yourself and you meet people that will advice you.

 

[eojo2401]

The economic challenges in a country have crippled some business and this may have caused depression for the owner of those business but the affected Enterpreneurer just need to make him or herself happy by taking life simple.

 

[Maliha]

Whenever I am depressed I saw movies and some funny videos.To change my mind and focus on the things because I have seen that many people who has been gone in depression they have been died and we should try our best to change your mind by doing some extra activities and come out from the bad things

 

[shakky2]

in order to avoid depression as an entrepreneur,you have to be smart and calm so that you don't rush into doing thing and also making sure to handle any urgent situation in a calm manner.there will surely arise matters that needs to be thought about but you have to make it minimal

 

[Blessingedidiong]

Depression is not good for anybody let alone an entrepreneur. For an entrepreneur to escape depression,make sure all your investments are done in secure and trusted organizations or sectors. Another an entrepreneur should be beware of is do not engage in businesses you cannot handle.
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Depression is not good for anybody let alone an entrepreneur. For an entrepreneur to escape depression,make sure all your investments are done in secure and trusted organizations or sectors. Another an entrepreneur should be beware of is do not engage in businesses you cannot handle.

 

[Gilead]

Lovely, how you've described how an entrepreneur can avoid depression. But in my opinion.. I think, as an entrepreneur, when you want to select your niche, it should be something you really love and hold dear to heart to avoid unnecessary burden.

 

[Josh9493]

depression is really a something people suffered alot there are many ways to avoid it in different form
1. talking to people about your problems that really helps to get it off your chest
2.keep your self busy
3.having a good time fun

 

[Olahab]

The mind-body connection is strong and reciprocal. Your physical state affects your psychological state and your own thoughts and emotions can have an impact on your physical well-being.

 

[Godleads1]

When we talk about depression, it comes as a result of ones inability to continue deriving pleasure from a thing and business is one of it. As a business owner, you must envisage depression. Plan for it, because not everyone will business yield for.

 

[Donolatunji]

Research indicates that ongoing challenges are more likely to cause depression than recent life stresses: long-term unemployment, living in an abusive or uncaring relationship, long-term alienation or depression, persistent job stress.
To an entrepreneur, depression means much more complex... I like your writeup.

 

[Caali]

One way to fight depression, is mild and regular exercise, this can take the shape of cycling, running, swimming or any cardiovascular activity, which you can do on a regular basis, such as 3x times a week for around an hour.

 

[Neeta313]

Depression has lead people to commit suicide, no one should go through it as it is not safe and healthy. First you should stop worrying about your failures in the business, everyone has failed at some point in their life, secondly focus on the things that are going well in the business and if possible seek advice from experts. Lastly do what makes you happy, hang out with friends and family.