First timer....

[TrevEch]

So, in the last month or two anxiety has really started sink in on me. We started our own business several months ago, and overall things have been great. Something though, in the last several weeks has changed mentally for me. I find myself afraid of failing, of losing it all, of thinking this isn't going to work. Then all of the negative "what if" scenarios start floating thru my mind and I can't shut them off....and I wake up in the mornings (usually between 4am and 6am) on the verge of a panic attack. This is not normal for me...

I've talked with my wife and explained what's going on, and bless her, she tries to see how I'm doing each day, she talks to me and she listens. But, I feel it's time I get some outside input and help.

I'd love some help on creating a personal toolbox for myself to help deal with this. I don't seem to have it every day, and some days are really good with no issues at all. Other days lately have been really bad and I'm on verge of breakdown at the littlest thing-with no understanding of how I was triggered to that point. I worry about this as it seems to be getting more frequent.

Thanks for letting me vent a little...I look forward to hearing for you.

[gerg]

As a fellow business owner and anxiety sufferer I would suggest that you start out with "The Four Agreements".

“The First Agreement: Be Impeccable with Your Word

The Second Agreement: Don’t Take Anything Personally

The Third Agreement: Don’t Make Assumptions

The Fourth Agreement: Always Do Your Best”

Get these down and it will relieve a lot of stress issues. Being in business is tough and you need to take care of yourself. Search the four agreements for a detailed explanation.

[Dubba61]

Hi Trev, my ex and i had a. Business together and it is hard. Much easier to work for someone else. However, you do get such a great sense of satisfaction and achievement​. Sadly though we let it overcome our whole relationship. It was all we talked about and thought about. Both Marriage and business failed. My advice would be to 'have' a life, as well as a business. Do other things when you can. Have hobbies and holidays, even a weekend away. Seperate work from home life if you can. And don't take it too seriously. If a business ends, life still goes on. If it's a success then We'll done, if not at least you tried. Best of luck. Dee 😊🌻✌️

[AAdb4]

Hi Trev. I too run a business and suffer from anxiety on and off. I make sure I switch off at the weekend and evenings. I do exercise classes at night and at the weekend, which makes me feel great after and releases all them endorphins. I don’t have caffeine drinks anymore and I find camomile tea before bed is great. I make sure I don’t skip meals and have vegetable smoothies with fresh ginger turmeric and almonds. I also read and keep reading a book called change thinking with CBT . It’s an excellent read. It opens your mind into thinking a different way and try’s to stop thinking about the what ifs. The likelyhood of these what ifs happening is 1% . But we focus all our energy and time on the slim chance of this happening.