What’s Keeping You Up at Night?
Running a business can be incredibly rewarding, but let’s be honest, it can also be incredibly stressful. As a business leader, owner, or CEO, your workday doesn’t always end at 5:00 PM. And sometimes, your mind doesn’t clock out at all. Instead of resting, you find yourself staring at the ceiling, replaying the day, worrying about cash flow, team dynamics, or that client who hasn’t called back. If something keeps you up at night, it’s usually a sign that something needs your attention, not more avoidance. Here’s a straightforward, three-step approach to help you move from anxious to action-oriented.
Name it. Face It.
You can’t fix what you won’t face. Instead of pushing that worry aside and hoping it disappears, take a moment to clearly identify what’s bothering you. Don’t settle for vague statements like “I’m stressed about the business.” Ask yourself, “What exactly is stressing me out?” Is it an underperforming team member? A client you need to fire but haven’t? A financial shortfall looming next quarter?
Write it down. Be specific. “I’m losing sleep because our overhead is too high and sales are lagging.” The act of naming the issue gives you something concrete to work with, and suddenly it feels less like a monster under the bed and more like a challenge you can tackle.
Figure Out What to Do
Now that you’ve named it, what can you do about it? Start listing potential solutions. Maybe you need to tighten your budget, rethink your marketing strategy, or delegate more. Ask yourself, “Do I need help with this?” “Who do I need to speak to?” Is it time to talk to your accountant, business coach, or leadership team?
Sometimes, once you define the problem clearly, the solution starts to show itself. Other times, talking it through with someone objective helps you see options you were too close to recognize.
Take Action
Here’s where most business owners get stuck: they know what the issue is, and they may even know what to do, but they hesitate. Why? Because the solution is uncomfortable and/or difficult. Change usually is.
But avoiding action only prolongs the anxiety. That team member won’t improve on their own. That difficult conversation won’t get easier with time. And that decision you’ve been putting off? It won’t make itself. I always say that “no decision is a decision”, and that is a very passive way to run a business.
If you’re righting a wrong, changing course, or simply addressing something you've ignored, taking action is what restores peace of mind. Even one small step forward can quiet the noise in your head and let you rest.
You didn’t get where you are by avoiding hard things. So tonight, if something’s keeping you up, face it, figure it out, and take that first step. You’ll sleep better and lead better when you do. I am here as your sounding board. Book a free session via my website and sleep better!