“The way to deal with it is by being proactive and anticipating that stress is a part of the job description”

My work can be very overwhelming and stressful, as is expected in any business. I deal with it by emotionally detaching from the situation. So many times our problems and challenges are multiplied because we get emotionally involved. Detaching from the situation, taking a step back, and viewing it from a logical point of view makes the problem a mere technical issue that needs to be solved, not an emotional monster. “Solve it and move on” is something I try to put in practice when dealing with the business stresses that arise daily.

—Leo Gartenhaus, CEO of Glyde Painters

Playing with my two-year-old son helps me. Really. The interaction helps me realize that my stresses don’t actually matter. It helps me refocus my true priorities.

—Jack Langer, CEO of Living Lchaim & Lawesome Media

I try to use stress as a message and a motivation. I ask myself, “Why do I feel stressed about this?” and “How can I resolve it?”

Each morning I daven, meditate, visualize, and do breath work. My morning routine helps me understand that I am not defined by my stress. I can be a calm person no matter what happens.

Many stressful situations are completely out of my control. I try to let go. I go for a walk, exercise, listen to music, or talk to a friend. This helps me clear my mind.

—Eli Weber, Founder & President of Weber Media

Every business owner has stressful moments. The way to deal with it is by being proactive and anticipating that stress is a part of the job description. As soon as you understand that stress is a part of the day, you look at it differently. You confront the inevitable challenge and try to find a solution. The more you anticipate the stressful moments, the easier things will be.

—Meny Hoffman, CEO, PTEX Group

I usually get stressed when I’m overwhelmed, when I have a lot to take care of, and I don’t have clarity on what needs to happen first and what the next step of each project is.

I deal with it by sitting down in a quiet room and pouring whatever’s on my mind onto paper. From there, I can organize and prioritize things. This helps me regain clarity and relieves stress.

I use the same technique with my clients when we need to make decisions about their spaces. We lay out all the options on paper and then have an easier time determining what to do.

—Ari Koth, Founder, Ari K Design

Life is unpredictable.

I wake up each morning with a schedule of exactly what I want to accomplish, but life has taught me that anything can change in a heartbeat. How do I deal with the constant stress and still be the best mother, boss, coworker, daughter, and sister?

I recognize that Hashem likes to keep me on my toes. My way of preparing myself for the inevitable snags and stresses is by working on my emunah. A few years ago I began reading Living Emunah nightly with my oldest son, and it has changed my life.

Prepare yourself for not having the perfect day, the perfect life, the perfect marriage, the perfect children, the perfect clients, the perfect job, the perfect vacation. Life is perfect — just not the perfect you may have imagined.

—Dina Lang, CEO of AccountKing

Smart Hiring

Questions to ask yourself before hiring a freelancer:

1. Do I know what I want? The more clarity you have around the deliverable you need, the more likely you are to be satisfied with the final product.
2. Do I need a strategist or an executor? If you know exactly what you want and can give pointed direction, a lower-priced but talented newer freelancer may be a good option.

If you have fundamental questions around your positioning, offer, or target audience; or if you have a vague notion of the style you’re looking for — but struggle to articulate it — you need more than an order-taker. Choose an experienced freelancer who also works as a consultant, or a marketing agency with a strong track record.

3. Do I have the time to work on this project? Nobody knows your business as well as you. In most cases, “successful outcome” and “client involvement” are directly proportional. If you’re going to invest in a new website, ad campaign, or visual identity, prepare to set aside time to collaborate and give feedback. Ask the freelancer how much time you’ll need to block off.
4. Do I like this person? Do you look forward to speaking with this person — or do you dread the scheduled meetings? Do you feel positive vibes in the communication? Good outcomes come from good synergy.
5. Did I read the project terms before signing (or sending payment)? Be smart; know what you’re signing up for. Does the project end date work for your schedule? Can you realistically send feedback in the outlined time frame? Do you feel comfortable with the payment schedule? Are there any outstanding questions in your mind that you’re ignoring because you just want to get the project going already? Address all the issues now, before any commitment is made.

—Michal Eisikowitz

Founder @ CopyTribe and Messaging Strategist

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 946)