Careful planning can help relieve stresses felt by many small business owners, according to a recent column.

Small business owners should take the time every once in a while to step back from their companies and assess what is working and what is not, as well as what is in their control and what is not, author Colleen DeBaise wrote for the Wall Street Journal. Many small business owners never take the time to write up a business plan, she noted, and this is often a mistake.

"Writing out even a simple plan can prevent overload while also providing a viable road map to success," DeBaise wrote.

The columnist noted that concerns over money and excessive workloads are among the most common stressors for small business owners, along with concerns over meeting customer expectations.

Business plans have been a controversial topic among small business experts. While many analysts say that business plans provide focus to entrepreneurs and firms, others say that plans can be too constricting, and can blind business owners to the need for change as market conditions shift.