Welcome to my backyard.
If you’ve ever been super stressed out in life, this message is for you.
My name is Reid. I founded a company called Reliant Technology, and there was a period in my life when I was incredibly stressed out.
The Backstory
You’re in my backyard, and just across the way is my carport. I remember a time when I drove home and was literally screaming, “God, where are you?”
It was an incredibly stressful period. I felt alone, like everything was falling apart.
It was early 2020, right before COVID hit. I had learned that we hadn’t paid our taxes in other states since starting the business 12 years ago, and we could owe up to a million and a half dollars in back taxes. We were facing a massive financial mess.
On top of that, we had hired many people, our sales had declined, our expenses were way up, and we were losing over a million dollars a year. The financial burden and the lack of results were palpable, and the atmosphere at work was tense.
When I came home that day, I was already stressed, but that day was a breaking point. I knew something had to change, and I’ll tell you three things I did that made a huge impact on my life.
1. Embrace Spiritual Disciplines
I read a couple of books that introduced me to spiritual disciplines and new ways to pray. I’m a God guy, but during that stressful time, I felt very alone.
One of the prayers I learned involved visualizing all my worries and anxieties. I imagined myself on a yacht, dumping all my troubles into the churning ocean behind the boat, handing them over to God.
This visualization helped me physically feel the anxiety leaving my body. Afterward, I would ask Jesus to fill me with peace, and it was an amazing experience.
To continue this practice, I incorporated short moments of reflection throughout my day. Instead of only having a quiet time in the morning, I would take short walks, close my eyes, and calm my mind.
These “Sips of God” were crucial in helping me manage my stress and find peace.
A couple of verses that are meaningful to me:
- God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
- God loves me, and you so much. You are not alone. You have purpose. You are made to be loved and to love, and to spend eternity with Him – starting right now.
- I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to Father except through Me.
- Work is not the answer, nor is money, nor golf or fishing. Jesus promises me healing, life, purpose, happiness, hope and joy – now. He is the way, the truth and the life – I and you have always wanted – now.
A couple of books I really enjoyed:
The Power of Positive Thinking
2. Exercise Regularly
During this stressful period, I made a commitment to exercise regularly. Even if I could only manage a five-minute workout, I did it every morning.
These short bursts of physical activity, combined with drinking plenty of water, made a significant impact on reducing my stress levels.
Exercise became a disciplined part of my routine, helping to release stress and improve my overall well-being.
3. Face Your Fears
I had to learn to face my fears head-on. There were many difficult decisions I was afraid to make, but I realized that the path to overcoming my challenges was through the pain.
One of the best decisions I made was hiring a key person to in-source our third-party maintenance and support.
This was a pivotal move.
Although we had to let some people go due to financial losses, this key hire improved our service quality, optimized our tool Analytica, and enhanced our team’s performance.
By facing my fears and making tough decisions, I was able to steer the company in a better direction.
Our service operations became more efficient, and the overall support experience improved significantly.
Conclusion
If you’re super stressed out, know that you’re not alone. Here are three key takeaways that helped me find peace and improve my situation:
- Embrace Spiritual Disciplines: Take moments throughout your day to connect with your faith and release your anxieties.
- Exercise Regularly: Incorporate even short bursts of physical activity into your routine to manage stress.
- 3. Face Your Fears: Make the tough decisions necessary to move forward and improve your situation.
Building a supportive community is also crucial. Surround yourself with people who can support and encourage you.
Groups like EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization), YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), and Vistage can provide valuable networks. Or simply gather friends who can lock arms with you and remind you that you’re not alone and that you’re loved.
If you ever need help or someone to talk to, please reach out via email or LinkedIn. I’m happy to chat and support you in any way I can.
Remember, there is a path forward, you are loved, and have a purpose, and you finally know you are not alone.
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