Overcoming Overwhelm: Practical Tips for Women in Business

It’s no secret that running a business can be overwhelming, especially for women who are often balancing multiple roles. But feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing—it simply means you’re human. 

As women we're taught to put our feelings last and others needs first. That's a recipe for anxiety and burn out. Its important that we tackle the feeling of overwhelm head-on. Your locus of control can either be projected outward; worried about all of the things around you that are 'making' your day more stressful. Which just leads to feeling in control of nothing. Or your locus of control can be directed inward; knowing that you are in control of the outcome of every situation and you have the right and privilege to control how you feel, think, and what you do to solution through anything. 

When faced with an overwhelming situation; 

1) breaking it down into it's simplest fundamental parts, into manageable steps,

2) reason through all of the possible outcomes; negative, positive and everything in between, 

3) challenge any mediocre ideas and actions you're taking to solve the situation; again you have the control, own it and the part you're playing,

4) be creative; there is no metaphoric box you have to think in or outside of; do not stop or give up at the first set of hurdles you come to. If the first thing you try does not work try something else. The only way you fail is when you give up!

5) ask for help and delegate the things you don't want or like to do, this allows you to focus on the things you're good at or the tasks most critical to be done by you. 

Here are some other really great resources: 

- Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTACs): [PTACs](https://www.aptac-us.org/) offer support and resources to help you manage the complexities of government contracting. - SCORE: [SCORE](https://www.score.org/) provides free mentoring and educational resources to help you navigate business challenges. 

- Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC): [WBENC](https://www.wbenc.org/) offers resources and certification for women-owned businesses, along with support for managing growth and stress. 

- Bench Accounting [www.bench.co] Bench provides online bookkeeping and accounting services, specializing in helping small businesses manage their finances. They offer a dedicated bookkeeping team and easy-to-use software.

- CFO Share [www.cfoshareservices.com]CFO Share offers outsourced CFO services tailored to small businesses, including financial strategy, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.

- Justworks [www.justworks.com] Justworks provides HR, payroll, benefits, and compliance support, making it easier for small businesses to manage their workforce. They offer a streamlined platform that integrates all aspects of HR management.

- Insperity [www.insperity.com] Insperity is a comprehensive HR outsourcing service that offers payroll, benefits, risk management, and HR administration services. They specialize in helping small businesses grow by managing their HR needs.

- The Proposal Lab [www.theproposallab.com] The Proposal Lab specializes in helping businesses craft compelling proposals for government contracts. They offer services ranging from proposal strategy and writing to editing and compliance review.

Outsourcing key functions like accounting, HR, and proposal writing can help WOSBs focus on their core business activities while ensuring that these critical areas are managed by experts. These services not only save time but also enhance the quality and professionalism of the business operations, increasing the chances of success in the competitive government contracting space.

By leveraging these outsourcing options, WOSBs can streamline their operations, reduce overhead, and position themselves for sustainable growth and success.

Seeing and Cheering for Other Women Succeeding!!: 

- Sophia Amoruso, Founder of Nasty Gal: Sophia Amoruso built a successful business from the ground up and later turned her experiences into the empowering #GIRLBOSS movement. 

- Julie Sweet – a leader at Accenture Federal Services which provides technology and consulting services to federal agencies, helping them transform and modernize their operations. They work with clients across the government, including the Department of Defense and the Department of Health and Human Services. 

- Dawn Halfaker – a leader at Halfaker and Associates, a service-disabled veteran-owned, women-owned small business that provides IT solutions, data analytics, cybersecurity, and program management services to federal agencies. They are known for their work with the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense. 

Strategies for a Positive, Productive Day!!: 

- Break Tasks into Steps: Instead of focusing on the entire project, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. This makes it easier to start and lessens the feeling of overwhelm. 

- Delegate When Possible: Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks. Empowering your team or outsourcing certain functions can free up your time for more critical activities. 

- Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate mindfulness into your day. Whether it’s through meditation, deep breathing, or simply taking a few moments to pause, mindfulness can help reduce stress and improve focus.