As a small business owner, it can feel like your business is your whole life. And for good reason, too! Starting a small business requires an enormous amount of time, energy, and faith. Eventually, spending too much time on business and not enough for fun can lead to burnout. How, then, do you recognise and prevent becoming neglectful of your personal life?
Burnout: when stress remains unaddressed for a long period of time, leading to feelings of physical sickness and even depression
Work/Life Balance
The most important way to prevent burnout is by maintaining a carefully controlled work/life balance. Determine where your priorities lie and stick to them, even if it means making a difficult choice. You never want one piece of your life to feel like they’re only getting half of your attention. Setting rules with yourself can help separate the time you spend with work versus with your family. If it’s not possible for you to make a rule about not answering work emails over the 48 hour weekend, start smaller with a no-work hour every evening to catch up with your family instead.
Setting rules with yourself can help separate the time you spend with work versus with your family.
Delegate
Another way to manage burnout is by delegating tasks. As a small business owner, it can sometimes feel like you have to do everything yourself. However, as your business grows, not only will this become an unhealthy habit, but also an unsustainable one. Instead, begin to delegate as soon as possible. Learn how to let go of control over certain tasks by giving it over to a trusted employee or friend. Delegating helps lighten your load, which makes it easier to carry in the long run.
Learn how to let go of control over certain tasks by giving it over to a trusted employee or friend. Delegating helps lighten your load, which makes it easier to carry in the long run.
Relax
As cliché as it is, finding time to relax is your best friend when trying to avoid burnout. Spending all your time thinking about your business, positively or negatively, leaves you no time to be introspective. Instead, schedule yourself some time during each week to work on yourself. The method is up to you! Working out, getting a massage, or even just reading a book are all great ways to get your mind off of your stressors.
Burnout isn’t good for anyone. If you feel sick and stressed, it will quickly begin to affect on your family, your business, and everything around you. Instead of simply hoping that burnout will never hit, start managing your stress before it manages you.
Instead of simply hoping that burnout will never hit, start managing your stress before it manages you.