Why You’re Feeling Triggered in Your Business (and What to Do About it)
Have you ever found yourself ready to snap? Like this one client interaction or customer email is the final straw — you’re ready to burst and worried that they’re about to get the brunt of it?
What about your stress? Have you been stressing over seemingly small things, but no matter what you do, they’re still there, nagging at you until it’s haunting your dreams (nightmares)?
Sound familiar? Whether you want to admit it or not, you’re feeling triggered in your business, and you don’t know what to do about it.
Sure, running a business can feel like an emotional rollercoaster — but feeling triggered, stressed, and out of control 24/7 is NOT normal (no matter how much hustle culture loves to tell you otherwise).
What Does it Mean To Be “Triggered”?
Technically, “triggered” is a response caused by a particular action, process, or situation — more specifically, a negative response. Normally, you’re triggered by something (in this case, a situation or event in your business), and it leads to a negative emotion or reaction typically followed by feelings of guilt or anger at yourself.
Thanks to high levels of stress, pressure, and overwhelm in your business, you can be triggered by situations that normally wouldn’t bother you. Fear can also amplify these negative reactions and emotions (which I’m sure we’ve all experienced at some point as business owners)
Why You Feel Triggered by Your Business
It’s not unusual or uncommon to feel triggered in or by your business at some point — so don’t buy into the “my business journey is so perfect” BS you see on social media. 99% of the time, it’s untrue and grossly exaggerated — and I’m speaking as someone who let go of their six-figure business, so I know a thing or two.
There are a few common triggers in business, primarily situations like receiving client feedback, money and financial pressures, your work-life balance (or lack thereof), and the overwhelm of trying to balance too many tasks.
But it really does boil down to four main, root causes:
- Fear of failure
- Perfectionism (me, too)
- Lack of control
- Imposter syndrome (more on this another day)
What to Do When You’re Triggered
Just because it’s normal (although I wish it wasn’t, but we’re getting there) to be triggered by your business doesn’t mean you’re stuck like that. While ultimately, you’ll need to make adjustments to your business — maybe even let it go — you can practice exercises to help you get out of the “triggered” state.
Practice grounding techniques, a method of calming your nervous system to get out of fight-or-flight mode and calm down. You can also try breathing exercises or EFT tapping, both of which help calm your mind.
How to Feel Better in Your Business
You have to stop running yourself into your ground and allowing others (and yourself) to break down your boundaries. You set them for a reason; now it’s time to stick to them.
Feeling better and more comfortable in your business will take time, but setting realistic expectations and finding a support system can make it so much easier. You don’t have to do it all alone!
Do you often feel triggered by your business? What’s something you know you struggle with and need help setting a boundary around? Let me know in the comments below!
