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That is a mammoth problem faced by some prominent business people.
Naturally, they work hard for the money and like they say – the more money you make, the more problems you get.
In an effort to find out how executives handle the stress that comes with working for all that money, Saturday Lifestyle tracked them down.
Mutare-based businessman Esau Mupfumi admits that working in the transport business can be stressing.
Being the owner of a fleet of buses and haulage trucks, the businessman-cum-politician said he spends most of his time in workshops cracking his head with taxes. After all, because of his surname, it is clear he was destined to be rich. How then does he keep his head level?
“I have a very busy lifestyle but once in a while, I take a break and fly out to Dubai. I spend four or five days there enjoying the scenery. The water and buildings do wonders in relieving stress. I also take time to see how other developing countries are conducting their business. By the time I come back, I am a whole new person and ready to take on new challenges,” he said.
Mupfumi has also made it no secret that he uses music as a therapy to ease the tension that comes with making money.
“I have a soft spot for music and as I promote artistes, I also find comfort in it. I have promoted artistes such as Tuku, Jah Prayzah, Macheso, Sulu and Leonard Zhakata and as much as it is business, it is also an avenue to find sanity in my life,” he said.
Making money makes sense but there is more to life than chasing the mighty dollar, according to Nigel Chanakira. He is counted among the most prominent business people to ever emerge from the country.
It is interesting to know that all the “stock exchange” problems are solved in the spiritual realm.
“I read the Bible everyday in the morning as a way of relaxing. I did a course on success motivation that goes a long way in balancing the ‘total person’s spiritual, earthly lifestyle. It goes a long way in helping me to handle day to day stress,” he said.
The banker and family man also de-stresses through exercising and playing tennis with his wife Carol.
The “City of Gold”, Kadoma, has its share of moguls who have made it beyond the city boundaries.
Tichaona Mharadzi, otherwise known as “Ndochi” happens to be one of them. While some may not know him, his furniture chain stores, Coloursell, is a household brand all over Zimbabwe. The media-shy Mharadzi shared with this reporter how he handles the hustle and bustle that comes with being among the “young and moneyed”.
“In our day-to-day operations, the worst problem is that of suppliers that do not pay on time. This creates even huge problems because I would need to pay salaries and many other things. To ease the stress, I always take time to hit the pitch for social soccer on Wednesdays. Besides the exercise, it helps me to relax and switch back into gear for business,” he said.
Mharadzi added that a bit of golf on Sundays also goes a long way in revitalising his mind.
Gerald Chipumha, the group projects director for a local construction company, told Saturday Lifestyle that when business is not at its peak, he finds comfort in rugby and travelling.
As the president of the Zimbabwe Rugby Referees Association, he finds himself travelling to different parts of Zimbabwe and in between schools interacting with different people outside business.
“I take time off during weekends and at times I go for holidays just to freshen up the mind. My favourite place is Zimbabwe is Nyanga but from time to time; I go to South Africa where I spend time with my family. Most of all, on Sundays, I bring down the tempo at church and come Monday morning, I am ready to face new challenges head on.”
Prominent business personality and former Miss Manicaland Sue Peters said the most important reasons why men and women react differently to stress is hormones.
The 64-year-old revealed that when she is stressed she goes shopping.
“Like other personalities I relieve stress by going to the gym on vibe machine which tones up my body and skin. Sauna and steam bath are not my favourites though with stress you have no choice,” she said.
“Aunty Sue”, as she is has come to be known, added that she also uses the “shopping therapy” in places like South Africa in managing stress.
“Apart from the gym I travel to the Eastern Highlands for a change in scenery. Fresh air and the view of the mountains do wonders if one is meditating,” she said.
They might not have all the money in the world but they are able to make their wildest dreams come true.
While the rest of us are prone to stress too, it would be nice to jet off to foreign lands and shop the stress away.
Although not many are able to stretch to their levels the majority of locals take it as far as they wallets can take them.
Comedian, Freddy “Kapfupi” Manjalima prefers to take the simple route.
“I like to hang out with my family as a way of relaxing. I also go to local nightclubs to see other artiste’s performing. My usual and favourite spots are Megga 1 and Jongwe,”
Just like Kapfupi, braaing and socialising at the hottest spots in town is the norm with the rest of the people. After all, Zimbabweans are known to work hard and play even harder.
Anyone who disagrees can stop by at “Mereki”, “Kuhuku”, Lake Chivero, or Borrowdale Race- course to get the true story.
Online Reporter