Checklist Addendum to the article:

> Why Running an SME Feels So Stressful

The article explores the hidden emotional and mental load of running a small to medium-sized business and shows owners how to reduce anxiety and stress without sacrificing performance or growth. Go ahead and check out the article if you have not already read it.

It begins by acknowledging the reality behind the “be your own boss” dream: wearing multiple hats, constant uncertainty, financial pressure, and a deep sense of responsibility for staff, customers, and family.

Rather than treating stress as a sign of failure, the article reframes it as a useful signal and encourages owners to see themselves as the business’s most valuable asset.

From there, it offers practical, immediately usable strategies.

These include daily routines like a short morning “CEO check-in” to set priorities and an end-of-day “parking lot” to stop worries from following you home. It emphasizes the importance of not doing it all alone, suggesting the creation of an “inner board” of peers, advisors, and trusted people to talk to openly.

The article then moves into building systems to replace chaos, focusing on recurring problems and turning them into processes that can be shared and delegated.

It tackles financial anxiety by recommending a simple cash flow view and proactive conversations with accountants or advisors.

Boundaries are another key theme:

Scheduling non-negotiable time off, setting device cut-off times,
and reclaiming at least one weekly non-work activity.

Finally, the article highlights the importance of personal wellbeing, recognising when professional mental health support might be needed, celebrating small wins, and reconnecting with the original purpose behind the business.

Throughout, the tone is positive, encouraging, and practical, reassuring SME owners that they are not alone and that small, consistent changes can significantly reduce stress and restore clarity, confidence, and calm.

So now as promised in that article:
> Why Running an SME Feels So Stressful
here is your free-gratis Checklist for managing it all. Enjoy.

This is a detailed Checklist for You to Copy and Paste...
Courtesy Gift of the SME Helpshop

Use as your Mentor, and give a copy to some of your SME friends.
As you agree, we still own all the international copyrights of course,
and yet we are gifting you your copy and give away rights, OK.

SME STRESS & ANXIETY QUICK-ACTION CHECKLIST

(Copy, paste, and adapt for Your-Self AND Your Business)

CONTENTS:

# 1. MINDSET & ROLE

☐ I accept that I am the most valuable asset in this business

☐ I understand that protecting my wellbeing is protecting the business

☐ I’ve written a simple “job description” for myself as the owner/leader

☐ I’ve identified at least 3 things I shouldn’t be doing anymore

☐ I’m willing to let go of “I must do everything myself”

---

# 2. DAILY ROUTINES TO REDUCE ANXIETY

## Morning “CEO Check-In” (10–15 minutes)

☐ I do this before opening email, WhatsApp, or social media

☐ I list my Top 3 priorities for today (only what truly matters)

☐ I ask: “What MUST be done by me?”

☐ I ask: “What can be delegated or delayed?”

☐ I block calendar time for my Top 3 priorities

☐ I avoid starting the day in reactive mode (no “just quickly” checking everything)

## End-of-Day “Parking Lot” (5 minutes)

☐ I list worries, open tasks, and pending decisions

☐ I write them in one place (notebook/app) called “Tomorrow’s CEO List”

☐ I tell myself: “It’s written down, I don’t need to carry it in my head tonight”

☐ I close my laptop / walk away from work with a clear stopping point

---

# 3. REDUCING ISOLATION (YOUR SUPPORT NETWORK)

## Build Your “Inner Board”

☐ I have at least one peer/mentor who understands business pressures

☐ I have at least one professional advisor (accountant/coach/consultant)

☐ I have at least one person I can be honest with emotionally

☐ I have a recurring monthly or fortnightly meeting/call with:

☐ Mentor / peer

☐ Accountant / financial advisor

☐ Coach / trusted friend

☐ I am honest in at least one conversation per month about how I’m really coping

---

# 4. TURNING CHAOS INTO SYSTEMS

## Identify Top 3 Stress Areas

☐ I’ve written down my top 3 recurring headaches, for example:

☐ Late payments / cash flow

☐ Customer complaints

☐ Staff miscommunication

☐ Last-minute rush jobs

☐ Constant interruptions

☐ Something else: ___________________________

## Create Simple Systems

For each headache, I have:

☐ Written a simple process/checklist (no need to be perfect)

☐ Shown at least one other person how it works

☐ Saved templates / scripts / emails we can reuse

☐ Asked: “How can this problem never be my problem in the same way again?”

☐ I review one system per month and improve it based on what’s happening

---

# 5. FINANCIAL CLARITY (REDUCING MONEY ANXIETY)

## Simple Cash Flow View (Next 3–6 Months)

☐ I have a basic cash flow overview that shows:

☐ Money IN (sales, contracts, recurring revenue)

☐ Money OUT (rent, salaries, suppliers, tax, tools, other costs)

☐ Cash position for at least the next 3 months

☐ I review this:

☐ Weekly ☐ Fortnightly (pick one and stick to it)

☐ I know:

☐ My monthly breakeven point

☐ What happens if revenue drops by 20%

☐ My biggest 3 expense categories

## Getting Help Early

☐ I have spoken to my accountant / advisor about:

☐ Short-term cash risks

☐ Simple ways to improve cash (pricing, payment terms, costs)

☐ Backup options if sales dip (credit line, payment plans, etc.)

☐ I ask for help before things become urgent

☐ I don’t suffer in silence with financial worry

---

# 6. BOUNDARIES & SWITCHING OFF

## Work–Life Boundaries

☐ I have chosen 1–2 evenings per week where I do not work

☐ I have agreed these evenings with my partner/family/team (if relevant)

☐ I treat these evenings like an important meeting: non-negotiable

☐ I have a “devices off” time each night: _______ (e.g. 9:00 pm)

☐ I avoid checking email/messages right before bed

☐ I have at least one weekly activity that is not work-related:

☐ Exercise

☐ Hobby

☐ Family time

☐ Friends/social time

☐ Something else: ___________________________

☐ When guilt appears, I remind myself:

“Rest is not wasted time. It’s how I make better decisions.”

---

# 7. PERSONAL WELLBEING CHECK

## Weekly Self Check-In

Once a week, I ask myself:

☐ On a scale of 1–10, how am I really feeling? (1 = terrible, 10 = great)

My number this week: _______

☐ What is draining me the most right now?

☐ A project / client

☐ A person / team issue

☐ Money worries

☐ Workload

☐ Uncertainty about the future

☐ Something else: ___________________________

☐ What is one small action I can take this week to reduce that drain by 10%?

(Examples: delegate a task, say no to something, postpone a non-essential project, ask for help.)

My one small action this week:

_________________________________________

## When to Seek Professional Help

☐ I know the signs I need extra support:

☐ Constant anxiety or panic

☐ Persistent low mood or dread

☐ Can’t sleep properly for weeks

☐ Feeling hopeless or thinking about harming myself

☐ I have contact details for:

☐ My GP / doctor

☐ A counsellor / therapist / mental health service

☐ I understand that asking for professional help is a strength, not a failure

---

# 8. CELEBRATING PROGRESS & WINS

## Weekly “Wins & Gratitude” Ritual (5–10 minutes)

☐ Once a week, I list 3 things that went well, for example:

1. ________________________________________

2. ________________________________________

3. ________________________________________

☐ I also list 3 things I’m grateful for in my business:

1. ________________________________________

2. ________________________________________

3. ________________________________________

☐ I share at least one win with my team (even a small one)

☐ I allow myself to feel proud of progress, not just big milestones

---

# 9. PURPOSE & WHY YOU STARTED

☐ I’ve written down why I started or joined this business:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

☐ I can name at least 3 ways my business helps others:

1. ________________________________________

2. ________________________________________

3. ________________________________________

☐ I schedule at least 1 hour per week for:

☐ Vision and strategy (not just day-to-day operations)

☐ Work I enjoy most (what really lights me up)

☐ I remind myself regularly:

“This business matters. My effort matters. I matter.”

---

# 10. QUICK “RESET” PLAN FOR TOUGH DAYS

When everything feels overwhelming, I will:

☐ Step away for 5–10 minutes (breathe, walk, stretch)

☐ Write down my Top 1 priority for the next 60 minutes

☐ Do only that one thing until it’s done or moved forward

☐ Tell someone (mentor/friend/team member) that I’m having a tough day

☐ Revisit this checklist and pick one small action to regain control

---

REMEMBER: You do not have to tick every box at once.

Choose 3–5 items to start with this week, implement them, then build from there.

If you tell me a little about your specific business and current stress points, I can turn this into a branded, tailored version of the checklist you can use with your team or even offer as a downloadable resource on your blog.

This is a detailed Checklist for You to Copy and Paste...
Courtesy Gift of the SME Helpshop

Use as your Mentor, and give a copy to some of your SME friends.
As you agree, we still own all the international copyrights of course,
and yet we are gifting you your copy and give away rights, OK.

Almost everything seems to be AI Enhanced these days... Watch This Space.

As such we even have some AI Mentors that you can use.

At least they are fun, and actually they can be very insightful, things you and I would not have perhaps thought of at the time. Lol.
>>> COMING IN THE SUMMER >>>