Burnout can kill your business if you’re not careful.
Being a business owner is exciting. But, it also comes with some other not-so-exciting things, like the dreaded burnout (aka, exhaustion). And if you’re not careful, burnout can kill your business. If you’re starting to feel swamped and aren’t sure what to do to get back on track, I’m here to help you with a few tips I’ve learned along the way.
6 Ways To Escape Entrepreneurial Burnout
As an entrepreneur, it can be easy to burn yourself out quickly. After all, you’re wearing many hats and (if you’re like me) are constantly on the go.
So, how do you know if you’re burnt to a crisp? Some signs of burnout include low energy, lack of motivation, and irritability. You may also find yourself feeling a tad bit (or a lotta bit) stressed or overwhelmed.
These feelings are normal, especially for busy entrepreneurs. But, the good news is that you can escape. How, you ask? By following the six tips and tricks below.
1. Pinpoint The Causes
If you want to kick burnout to the curb, you need to pinpoint exactly what’s causing it in the first place. Otherwise, you’ll wind up going in circles and getting burnt out all over again (yikes).
Ask yourself a few questions, like “What is my schedule like?” and “When do I feel the most stressed or overwhelmed?” Asking yourself these types of questions can help you find what is blowing out your productive flame.
Some common causes of burnout include:
- Not taking breaks
- Working day and night
- Not sleeping well
- Taking on too many tasks
- Not having a healthy work-life balance
Once you pinpoint the causes of your burnout, you can nip them in the bud by testing out some relaxation techniques (like the ones in this article!).
2. Find Time For Yourself
Finding some “me time” as an entrepreneur may be easier said than done. But if you want to escape burnout, sometimes you have to put yourself first.
To say goodbye to burnout, find time for yourself. This could include:
- Doing your favorite hobbies
- Spending time with friends and family
- Going on a well-deserved vacation
- Taking a night off (it won’t kill you or your business, I promise!)
The more ways you find to balance work and personal life, the better off your business will be. You’ll be happier, more productive, and less stressed. And in turn, your business will be more successful (talk about a win-win).
3. Put Your Burnout To Rest
How much sleep are you getting per night? Eight hours? Five hours? Less than four? Believe it or not, the amount of sleep you get can contribute to your burnout. The solution? Put your burnout to rest by, well, resting.
Boosting productivity and ditching burnout could be as easy as getting a few extra Z’s each night. According to one study, individuals who get five hours of sleep experience 29% more productivity loss.
To help get more sleep, you can:
- Stick to a sleep routine and schedule
- Keep devices away when trying to fall asleep
- Create a restful environment
- Ditch caffeine later in the day
- Exercise regularly
- Clear your mind in the evening
4. Say No
Part of being an entrepreneur means taking on a lot of tasks. But, that doesn’t mean you have to take on all of them. And to avoid taking on too much to handle, you have to learn a big two-letter word: No.
Learning how and when to say no is oh-so-important when you become an entrepreneur. If you don’t say no, you’ll just wind up becoming more burnt out while piling on more tasks to handle (and no one wants to deal with that).
So, learn how to say no to things like unnecessary meetings and things that won’t directly impact the success of your startup. You can even delegate certain tasks to help take some responsibilities off your plate.
Sure, saying no sometimes might feel weird at first as an entrepreneur. But, your well-being and mental health will thank you for it.
5. Manage Your Time Wisely
Time management is crucial when you’re a business owner. You need to be able to balance tasks like managing your accounting and meeting with investors. To get rid of burnout, come up with a time management strategy.
Are you the type to skip lunch? What about working all hours of the night? If so, your time management is hurting. To manage your time wisely, try to stick to a schedule. And yes, that means eating at the same times every day, giving yourself regular breaks, and learning when to step away from your computer.
Managing your time can help you recharge and make more time for yourself. With better time management, you’ll be surprised at how quickly you can bounce back from burnout.
6. Learn How To Deal With Stress
It’s no secret that stress is a key ingredient in burnout. And the more you have of it, the worse your burnout gets. To escape burnout and steer clear of it in the future, learn how to deal with stress.
Managing stress is a must for entrepreneurs. Not only can stress cause burnout, but it can also impact your sleeping habits and overall health. To help deal with stress and stay healthy at work, you can:
- Exercise
- Do deep breathing exercises
- Make time for hobbies
- Relax with friends and family
The more you manage your stress, the less likely burnout will be to creep back into your life.
