The Two-Step Process That Saves Me When Business Gets Chaotic
Last Tuesday started like any reasonable day and quickly devolved into what I can only describe as a masterclass in controlled chaos.
It began with some unexpectedly harsh feedback on a project I thought was solid, delaying payment and adding revision time. Then a freelance client had a shift in their timeline, dropping a massive project in my lap with a turnaround that triggered my 'challenge accepted' response. To top it off, my feelings of overwhelm spiralled into spending two hours obsessing over details that were absolutely not important but felt monumentally critical in the moment. Hello avoidance.
You know those days when you're working harder than ever but getting increasingly frustrated because nothing feels like it's moving forward? When you're caught between the need to get things done and the equally important need to maintain your boundaries and actually show up for your family?
That was my Tuesday.
When the Wheels Come Off
If you've been running a small business for any length of time, you've had your version of my Tuesday. Maybe it was a client who disappeared after months of work, a cash flow crisis that hit out of nowhere, or just the soul-crushing realization that you've been playing whack-a-mole with problems instead of actually building something sustainable.
The stats are sobering: nearly 50% of small businesses won't make it past five years. And it's not because the owners aren't passionate or hardworking, it's because small business owner burnout is real, and most of us are terrible at asking for help when we need it most.
My Not-So-Secret Weapon
When everything feels like it's falling apart and part of me wonders if I should just burn it all down, I have a two-step process that never fails to reset my perspective.
Step One: Touch Grass, Literally
I step outside. Not to check my phone or multitask, but to genuinely ground myself in the gentle chaos of farm life. There's something about the combination of fresh air, the gentle hum of farm life, and being greeted like a rock star by animals who definitely just want dinner that puts everything back into perspective.
This isn't just feel-good theory, there's actual science behind grounding and its impact on stress hormones. But honestly, I don't care about the research. I just know that five minutes outside shifts my energy from "everything is terrible" to "okay, this is manageable."
Step Two: Call in the Cavalry
Then I take it to my mastermind group - my business besties who've become an absolute lifeline for someone building a business while somewhat isolated on the farm.
No matter what I've got going on, or how I'm making my own life harder through self-sabotage, they get it. They've been there. They know my struggle, they legitimize my thoughts and feelings, and that validation smooths the hackles I put up towards myself.
Why This Combination Works
Here's the thing about running a small business: I am often the problem. I know this. I can usually identify exactly how I'm creating my own complications, but knowing it and fixing it are two different things.
Having a safe, supportive space to work through that self-awareness is absolutely key. I get practical insights from experienced business owners with a healthy side of understanding compassion from friends. It's the perfect combination of "here's how to solve this" and "you're not crazy for struggling with it."
This approach works because it addresses both the immediate stress (grounding) and the systemic patterns (peer support) that create these overwhelming days in the first place.
The Bigger Picture
What I've learned through years of helping small business owners develop better business systems is that most of our worst days aren't actually about the specific crisis at hand. They're about the accumulation of small inefficiencies, unclear processes, and the mental load of trying to hold everything together without proper support structures.
When your business feels like it's running you instead of the other way around, it's usually a systems problem, not a personal failing. But in the moment, when you're drowning in deadlines and decisions, it can be hard to see the forest for the trees.
That's where having both immediate coping strategies and longer-term support systems becomes crucial. They help you survive the crisis and build the foundation to prevent the next one.
Building Your Own Support System
The most successful small business owners I work with have figured out that they can't do this alone. They've built their own version of my two-step process—something for immediate relief when things go sideways, and something for ongoing support and perspective.
Maybe your grounding looks like a walk around the block, a conversation with your dog, or three deep breaths in your car. Maybe your support system is a formal mastermind, a business coach, or just one friend who really gets what you're going through.
The specific tactics matter less than having a plan before you need it.
If you're in the thick of building your business systems and feeling overwhelmed by the daily chaos, know that you're not alone. Every successful business owner has had their version of my Tuesday, and most of us have found ways to not just survive those days, but use them as fuel for building something better.
Ready to Build a Business That Supports You?
Want to transform those overwhelming days into manageable challenges? My 3-Month Systems Overhaul Sprint helps small business owners build the foundation that prevents crisis mode from becoming your default setting.
What gets you through your hardest business days? I'd love to hear your strategies in the comments. We're all figuring this out together, and your approach might be exactly what another business owner needs to hear today.
Ready to build systems that support your sanity? Learn more about my coaching approach at MichelleMacNeil.com.