NAVIGATING NAVIGATING NAVIGATING GRIEF WHILE GRIEF WHILE GRIEF WHILE RUNNING A RUNNING A RUNNING A BUSINESS BUSINESS BUSINESS

Understanding the 7 stages of grief will be needed to navigate that same grief while running a business The 7 stages of grief are commonly known as:

Shock and Denial

Pain and Guilt

Anger and Bargaining

Depression

The Upward Turn Reconstruction & Working Through Acceptance and Hope

These seven stages are not necessarily in order and may occur more than once Grief is not a linear, standard process; it can vary from person to person

What Does Grief Feel Like?

The onset of grief brings with it a host of complex feelings, behavioral changes, and physical symptoms These symptoms may be new to people, and it is important to understand their connection to grief. In conjunction with a major loss, the uncertainty of these symptoms can make you feel disoriented, confused, and off balance

Symptoms associated with grief include:

Physical changes: Lack of energy, loss of appetite, headaches, body tension, digestive issues.

Behavioral changes: Increased frustrated and angry episodes, increased isolation, inability to sleep or sleeping much more, inability to concentrate.

Emotional changes: Feelings of hopelessness, helplessness, sadness, numbness, fear, guilt, anger, and anxiety (Waichler MSW, LCSW, 2023)

There will never be a true timeline for how long the grief process will last Even though we may believe we have ventured through all 7 stages, the slightest memory of the person we lost can start us back at stage 1 Grief is a different process that cannot be rushed and cannot be avoided This is where navigation of your business can assist with your grief. Keeping your mind occupied during your grieving can be pretty beneficial

I know from experience that grief can take over your mind, and your body will want to shut down Being a business owner, I could not allow myself to do that After losing my dad, things were tough I was in school obtaining my second master’s degree, and I only had two classes left when he passed Part of me wanted to stop and take a leave of absence, but the other part of me knew that was not what he would have wanted.

He always told me that “Easley, don’t quit,” so that’s w kept telling myself. The same thing goes for my compan knew I couldn’t just drop everything and go hide. I knew down I wanted to become a recluse and remove myself society, but I had clients who depended on my comp services That’s what gave me the drive to keep g Hearing my dad say over and over “Easleys don’t quit” me the strength to push harder I have to say that his d pushed me to be the seven-time business owner that today I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done it if I didn’t know how he would’ve felt if I had let the grief take over me

Do I still get sad? Yes, every day. Do I miss my dad? Of course, I do. Do I think of him? Yes, as often as I take each breath each day. There will never be a moment when grief doesn’t sneak up on me and remind me that my dad isn’t here anymore. When I achieve new goals, receive a new award for my company, or secure major contracts with clients; I want to jump on the phone and let him know I want to hear him say, “I’m proud of you, Kwanita,” but I know that’s not going to happen So, I just throw myself deeper into my work and let it speak for itself

Running a business is hard, let alone running seven of them at multiple stages In my case, grief pushed me to my all-time high because I turned something horrible into something positive You can also do that with your business(es) and become something bigger than that grief. You are in control of how the grief has a toll on you, your life, your family, and your business.