Avoiding Business Burnout

Don’t Let Burnout Get You: Tips for Small Business Owners

As a small business owner, you probably already know what burnout is but what you may not know is that there really are ways that you can avoid it. Many business owners think that business burnout is just part of the process and that they just have to deal with it, suck it up and keep going. However, it definitely does not have to be that way. Burning out can be a game changer for many small business owners and can break you before you even get a chance to succeed. So, you do not have to burn out. There are ways to avoid burnout so you can succeed and excel.

What Is Burnout?

What exactly is burnout anyway? To be precise, burnout is a state of chronic stress that can lead to lack of accomplishment, feeling ineffective, detachment, emotional and physical exhaustion, and just a general feeling of defeat. You may start hating your job, do not even want to get up in the morning to do anything, and feel completely overwhelmed.

Here are some signs that you may be burning out:

• Anxiety
• Loss of appetite
• Feeling hopeless
• Lack of productivity
• Isolating yourself
• Depression
• Anger
• Trouble sleeping
• Chronic fatigue
• Lack of concentration
• Trouble making decisions
• Forgetfulness
• Physical issues like palpitations, dizziness, gastrointestinal problems, headaches, chest pain, and shortness of breath

Working Too Much

Burnout is typically caused by working way too many hours, combined with too much stress. But as a small business owner you know that these two things are both part of the daily job. As the owner, you tend to take on more than you can handle on your own, causing stress and exhaustion that will overwhelm you if you let it. You cannot fix it by having another cup of coffee or an energy drink. You cannot even fix it with a nap, although that is a step in the right direction. However, you can start changing things a little at a time so you can keep moving forward without burning out.  Colorado Coaching Company works with our clients to identify top priorities, create strategies that focus on planning and reducing the need to constantly react to crisis situations; and helping our clients work smarter, not harder.

 As a business owner, putting your head down and working harder is not scalable and not advisable. No matter how hard you work, you will never be successful if you burn out.

Take Care of You

Some of the most important things to remember is that you have to take care of yourself first and that it is okay to ask for help. If you think you can do everything yourself and refuse to get help from anyone, you are probably not going to be successful. And continuing to push yourself, even when you are truly overwhelmed is just asking for an anxiety attack or even a heart attack. Remember that you cannot be a successful leader or owner if you end up in the hospital or worse.

Be More Social

You also need to remember to socialize. Most of us who have small businesses tend to spend all of our time working alone and rarely get out and talk to people. This is not good for your mental health or your physical health. Human beings are programmed to be social and constantly working by yourself can make you feel isolated and depressed. It is important that you talk to someone, even if it is just a few minutes a day on the telephone or even communicating through text or instant message with someone about anything besides work.

Take Breaks

It is also important for your health (mental & physical) that you take breaks. Working straight through lunch and dinner can be hard on your body, even if you are snacking a bit here and there. Your body needs healthy foods and exercise, so take a walk to a nearby park and eat your lunch sitting on a park bench or taking a hike in the woods. Your body needs fuel to keep going and your brain does too.

Getting enough sleep is also a big deal. We know that you do not have much time but if you do not take the time to rest when you need to, you are going to run out of steam eventually. So, take some time, eat some lunch, talk to friends, and avoid burnout any way you can.

Guest Post: Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health– related topics. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.