Controlling the Chaos

Warning - Long Read. Here's the SUMMARY:

You've Got This

You’re not powerless in the face of chaos. You’re the CEO. The boss. The captain of this occasionally off-course ship. With a little awareness, a few smart systems, and a pinch of dramatic flair, you can wrangle the chaos—and maybe even laugh at it.

Now go forth and shoulder-angel the heck out of your day. 😇

Here's the FULL STORY:

Running your own business can sometimes feel like herding cats... or wrangling hummingbirds. It’s chaotic. It’s noisy. And it occasionally makes you question your life choices while muttering into your coffee mug.

Ever feel like your business is running you instead of the other way around? You’re not alone. This feeling tends to pop up:

• During periods of growth (yay... and ugh)
• In times of personal stress (life be life-ing)
• Or on a reliable, seasonal schedule (hello, tax season/holiday season/summer markets)

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to stay stuck in this chaos spiral. You CAN take back control. And no, it doesn’t involve moving to a yurt or deleting your email app (tempting though).

Step One: Know Your Triggers & Superpowers
Before you start rebuilding your empire, take a moment to understand what’s setting you off—and what’s saving your butt.

Triggers (a.k.a. The Chaos Gremlins):

• The phone ringing like it owes you money
• Emails that pile up like guilt
• Banking errors that make your eye twitch
• Traffic that tests your zen
• Cranky clients
• Unexpected bills

Mitigators (Your Inner Shoulder Angel's Toolkit):

• A good ol’ cup of coffee or tea
• Morning walk or yoga (yes, it counts even if it’s in pajamas)
• Talking to a colleague who gets it
• Defined workflows
• Dream boards or happy client notes
• Tech that automates the nonsense

Step Two: Match Your Triggers with Their Kryptonite
This is like pairing wine with cheese, but for your nervous system. Ask yourself:

• Does reading email before breakfast leave me feeling anxious? → Try not checking until after your walk or first cup of tea.
• Do I feel way more level-headed after a workout? → Block that time in your calendar like it’s a meeting with your favourite movie star.

Match one trigger with one mitigator to create a stress-busting combo that actually works for you.

Step Three: Build the Systems That Block the BS
Now that you’ve identified what’s helping and what’s hurting, let’s prevent the stress from showing up in the first place.
Common fixes:

• Overloaded schedule? Trim it. Be realistic when saying yes.
• Financial stress? Create a forecast that supports your lifestyle and long-term goals.
• Outdated to-dos? If it doesn’t light you up or move you forward, drop it like it’s hot.
• Low-effort tasks? Automate them. The right tech can be your new best friend.

The Dramatic Twist: The Battle Between Good and Evil
Let’s not sugarcoat it: stress is often the result of inner conflict—what you want vs. what’s actually happening.

Cue the shoulder angel and devil.

Your inner chaos might be your shoulder devil whispering, “Answer that 10pm client email!” while your shoulder angel is like, “We need boundaries and a good night sleep.”

This isn’t just a cute metaphor—it’s a way to visualize your decisions in real time. Who are you going to let win today?

Smart tip:
Start each day by choosing ONE trigger and ONE mitigator to work on. Strengthen your shoulder angel like it’s training for a motivational showdown.

👉 If you have questions, hit reply. I read every message.
👉 If you’re already curious, let's chat.

Jennifer Bauldic, Cash Coach

Giving your business a lift.

[JAI #411]