When It All Feels a Bit Much

Written by LiveLink
July 10th 2025

When It All Feels a Bit Much – Facing Business Challenges Head-On (and Why That Matters)

Running a small business can be one of the most exhilarating things you’ll ever do. The freedom! The creativity! The satisfaction of building something from the ground up with your own two hands (and maybe a bit of caffeine-fuelled grit). But let’s be honest, it’s also one of the most emotionally and mentally challenging things you’ll ever do. And when things start going wrong, it can feel utterly overwhelming. This is when leadership is key.

Maybe sales have dipped. Maybe a key team member’s just handed in their notice. Maybe your costs are climbing and your cashflow is looking a little, well… dicey. Whatever it is, when the pressure’s on, it’s easy to freeze. To hide under the metaphorical (or literal) duvet, hoping that if you just give it a day or two, things might magically sort themselves out.

But here’s the hard truth: they usually don’t.

In this blog, we’re going to look at what happens when business problems pile up, why burying your head in the sand can be dangerous, and most importantly, some practical, confidence-boosting ways to take back control.

The Slow Creep of “Wallow Mode”

Let’s start with the emotional side of things. Because mindset does matter.

When things start going wrong in a business, your confidence often takes the first hit. You begin questioning yourself: Did I make a mistake? Am I even cut out for this? Should I have just stayed in that safe job with the stable salary? And that spiral can very quickly tip you into what I like to call “wallow mode.”

Wallow mode looks like this:

• You keep opening your inbox, but you don’t reply to that awkward email.

• You know you need to check your bank balance, but you put it off… again.

• You procrastinate on decisions, because each one feels bigger than it really is.

• You start avoiding the work that matters, and fill your time with “busy” tasks.

And the longer you stay in wallow mode, the harder it is to claw your way out.

Now let’s be clear here, feeling down or stuck when things aren’t going well is completely normal. You’re human. You care. That’s a good thing. But the danger is in staying there too long. Because problems that are ignored almost always grow teeth. That little unpaid invoice turns into a cashflow crisis. That minor marketing wobble becomes a full-on client drought. That tricky team dynamic festers until someone walks out.

Don’t Delay: Why Quick, Calm Action Matters

When something in your business is going wrong, it can feel counterintuitive to act quickly. You might want to “wait and see,” or tell yourself that you’ll sort it out once you’ve had time to think. But here’s the thing:

Speed doesn’t mean panic. 

Taking even one small, constructive step when a problem arises gives you momentum. It breaks the paralysis. It says, “I’m dealing with this.” And that shift in energy, from passive to active, can be a game-changer.

Here’s why acting early and decisively helps:

• You limit the damage. Like catching a leak before it floods the whole kitchen.

• You retain more options. When you act early, you’re not backed into a corner.

• You show leadership. To your team, your clients, even just to yourself.

• You regain confidence. Because action breeds clarity, and clarity breeds confidence.

Tackle, Don’t Tolerate

Right then. How do you actually go about tackling problems when everything feels like it’s on fire? Let’s break it down into manageable steps:

Name the Real Problem

It’s easy to get caught up in the noise. But what exactly is going wrong?

Try this: write down the top 3 things that are currently stressing you out in the business. Then for each one, ask yourself, What’s really going on here? For example:

• “Sales are down” might actually be “I’ve stopped marketing because I’ve been overwhelmed.”

• “My team feels disengaged” might really be “I haven’t communicated the vision lately.”

• “I’m out of cash” might be “I’ve overcommitted on spending and haven’t reviewed pricing.”

Be honest with yourself. You’re not writing this for anyone else. Just you.

Run Toward It, Not Away

Once you’ve identified the real problem, it’s time to face it head-on. This is VITAL. That might mean:

• Calling the client who’s late paying and having an honest chat.

• Reviewing your expenses and cutting what’s not essential.

• Speaking with your team about changes and involving them in the fix.

• Booking time with your accountant or business mentor.

Remember: a problem seen clearly is already half solved.

Make a Decision. Even If It’s Not Perfect

Perfectionism is procrastination wearing a smart blazer.

You don’t need the perfect solution. You just need a solid decision and a plan you can start implementing. It’s okay to tweak it later. Forward motion matters more than flawless strategy.

Helpful Tools for Better Business Decisions

Sometimes, what’s really holding you back is decision fatigue. You’ve got so many things whirring around your brain, it’s hard to think straight. These tools and techniques can help you cut through the noise and make better calls:

🛠️ The Eisenhower Matrix

Perfect for time and task triage. Divide everything into:

• Urgent & Important (do it now)

• Important but Not Urgent (schedule it)

• Urgent but Not Important (delegate it)

• Neither (bin it!)

You’ll quickly see what deserves your immediate focus and what doesn’t.

🛠️ SWOT Analysis

Oldie but goldie. A quick SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) helps you step back from the emotion and assess your situation objectively.

🛠️ Decision Matrix (Weighted Score)

If you’re torn between a few options (like two new suppliers or marketing channels), this helps you compare them based on what really matters — cost, ease, impact, time, etc. Give each factor a score and see what comes out top.

🛠️ Talking it Out

This one’s underrated. A trusted business buddy, mentor, coach, or even a fellow small biz owner on LinkedIn or in a Facebook group, can help you make sense of what’s in your head. Saying it out loud often makes it feel smaller.

Rebuilding Confidence (One Brave Step at a Time)

Even after you’ve made the decision to act, it’s natural to feel a little shaken. Business challenges can knock your self-belief more than you realise.

So let’s be gentle and firm with ourselves:

• Celebrate the small wins — they absolutely count.

• Set tiny, manageable daily goals that move you forward.

• Keep a “done” list instead of just a “to do” list.

• Remind yourself: every business owner has been through this.

You are not alone. You are not a failure. You’re simply in the messy middle and that’s where growth lives.

Final Thoughts: Brave Isn’t Loud — It’s Decisive

Being brave in business doesn’t always look like bold launches and shouting from the rooftops. Sometimes, bravery is sitting quietly at your desk and choosing to tackle the uncomfortable thing. Making the call. Facing the truth. Doing the boring, awkward, necessary bit because that’s what your business needs right now.

So if you’re feeling stuck, or if things have gone a bit pear-shaped lately, take this as your sign:

Pause. Breathe. Then pick one thing and act on it. No drama. Just momentum.

Because small businesses don’t thrive on perfection. They thrive on honest humans doing the next right thing. Even when it’s hard.

You’ve got this.

If you’re currently in the thick of it and would like a sounding board, feel free to reach out. I’m always happy to chat with fellow small biz owners navigating the wobbles, because let’s face it, we’ve all been there