Tony Banks is Founder & Chairman of the Balhousie Care Group and is an EBA Millionaire Mentor. Here he shares his 16 tips for managing pressure and staying ahead of the game:

1. Anticipate trouble – try to identify where problems are likely to arise and prepare a contingency plan for when things go wrong.

2. Don’t waste time worrying – take a step back and look at what is causing the pressure.

3. Take action – tackle the problem. Don’t let it fester. Break it down into small, manageable tasks. Don’t attempt to resolve it in one fell swoop.

4. Prioritise tasks – identify the most pressing tasks and help others to prioritise too.

5. Delegate – place your trust in your colleagues and, if necessary, bring in somebody with greater expertise to help.

6. Give clear instructions – make your instructions crystal clear and ensure they have been understood.

7. Set time frames – establish deadlines and use your diary to manage progress.

8. Share problems – never be afraid to talk about your problems with people you trust. They will offer support and may be able to help.

9. Work as a team – play to your team’s strengths and work together. If people feel involved and appreciated, they will give you their best.

10. Take a break – instead of getting bogged down, give yourself a short break and a find a new perspective.

11. Get physical – exercise alters brain chemistry and can help re-charge your mind.

12. Don’t dwell on the past – you can’t influence what happened yesterday. Look to the future.

13. Inspire others – if you lead from the front, people will want to follow and do things your way.

14. Don’t take unnecessary risks – your job is to keep your business sustainable and ensure it is not put in jeopardy.

15. Aim for win:win – try to find solutions that suit everyone involved in the negotiation.

16. Get a mentor – paying for expert advice and a listening ear can be well worth the investment.

Tony Banks is an EBA Millionaire Mentor.