the perfect storm
Greg Jennings describes running a small business as “a perfect storm” of competitive pressures: “things that are out of our control, like the economy and natural disasters, plus the realities of cash flow difficulties, feeling a sense of responsibility for your business, for your staff, for your family. All of these things can start to feel like a burden for small business owners.’
For HIA members, this may be compounded by industry-specific factors such as long work hours and intense or physically demanding working conditions.
David Butler’s experience reflects this. After establishing your own business, Butler Buildingand a new father in quick succession, life became difficult. He responded to the sudden escalation of pressure by opening a beer at the end of each work day.
However, he says that “little by little I went from three beers an afternoon to six and then from six to eight.” “It was a snowball effect.”
When it comes to mental health, the terms “vicious cycle” and “snowball effect” come up repeatedly. This is because common coping mechanisms, such as drinking, can lead to addiction and eventually affect every aspect of your life, compromising your performance at work and hurting your loved ones at home.
“David’s drinking really created a rift within our little family unit,” says David’s wife, Lizelle Butler. ‘It also created a gap between us on the business front. I was barely thinking straight and had an “Oh, fuck it” attitude.
Carly Alexander adds that when people are anxious, stressed or depressed, “they tend to be less logical and systematic in making decisions.” So small problems can add up and become really overwhelming.’