We’ve all been there: business burnout can bog you down and slow your growth.
But what can you do about it?
The good news is that there are ways for you to battle business burnout and remain energized enough to take your business to the next level.
If you are concerned about lagging behind with your business, or if you think burnout is starting to get the best of you, here are some strategies to try:
1. Schedule Regular Time to Unplug
One of the best ways to beat business burnout is to schedule time to unplug from work.
You might be surprised at the benefits of leaving it all behind for a little while.
I like to take one day a week where I don’t do anything related to my work or my business. It seems crazy. As a freelancer, there’s always something to do. However, I find I need
However, I find I need that time. It refreshes me and sets me up for better performance later. Unplugging can give you a chance to reset. It can even get the creative juices flowing.
When you unplug from your business, do it for real. No checking email, no making a quick call.
If you feel like you can’t take a whole day, at least designate half a day each week, or decide to unplug for a full hour each day.
For some business owners, it makes more sense to take longer breaks at different times. You might decide to take a three- or four-day weekend once every quarter.
No matter how you do it, take the time to unplug and watch how it makes a positive difference.
2. Read Positive Testimonials
One of the things that gets me out of my funk is to read positive testimonials.
It feels good to help others. I like knowing that something I’ve done has been useful to someone else.
If you feel business burnout, take half an hour to read some of the positive testimonials you’ve received. Keep a file of emails from satisfied customers and clients. You can read a few of these reviews when you’re having an off day.
Once you see that you’re having a positive impact, it’s easier to feel motivated to keep going with your business. Sometimes all you need is a little pat on the back to get beyond that business burnout.
3. Outsource Some of Your Tasks
At one point, I felt a huge amount of business burnout. I didn’t know how I could keep doing everything. Social media, creating my own invoices by hand, editing my podcast episodes, cleaning my house.
In the end, I realized I that I really couldn’t do everything. After having a meltdown, I figured that I need to stop trying to do all the things with my business.
I started going through my tasks and figuring out which items to outsource.
Over the years, I’ve moved to the point where most of the mundane tasks that suck up a lot of my time but don’t offer me the chance to make money are outsourced. My virtual assistant handles most of my social media. I pay someone to edit my podcasts.
I’ve even hired someone to clean my house. It’s something that takes away from my time and I can make more money focusing on my business for an hour than it costs for a month’s worth of cleaning.
If you feel like you have to do every little thing with your business and it’s burning you out, consider outsourcing. Once you have more time and breathing room, you’ll be able to better focus on your business.
4. Change Something Up
Sometimes business burnout is a function of the same-old, same-old.
When you feel like you’re stuck in the same office space doing the same work all the time, it can start to feel stale. After all, you’re a business owner because you want more freedom and flexibility. It can be disappointing to be chained to something, even if it’s your business.
You can feel re-energized by changing something up.
I like to take my work to the coffee shop. Even bringing the laptop out to the deck on a nice day can be a great way to change things up.
Another thing I do on occasion is change my workspace. Add a plant. Re-arrange the office furniture. You can be refreshed with a change, even it’s small.
Your change doesn’t have to be of place, either. Maybe you can try a different work schedule. Start earlier or later. Consider changing some of your tasks around. Begin the day with a task you normally save for later.
Sometimes change is a breath of fresh that can help you keep burnout at bay.
5. Whittle Down the To-Do List
Does everything on the to-do list have to be taken care of right now?
Chances are, you have a to-do list that is overstuffed with items. Instead of trying to cram everything in at once, whittle it down.
Identify the most important items on the list. Start by putting the three most important things on your list for the day. Once those are done, if you still feel like you are ready to keep going, tackle some of the less important tasks.
When you look at a huge to-do list, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Sometimes it seems as though things just pop all the time. You don’t have to do them, though.
Pay attention to the size of your list. Keep it minimalist if possible.
You might be surprised at how you can keep business burnout away when you don’t try to over-fill your day.
6. Ask for Help
Are you frustrated with your situation and trying to figure out how to cope with business burnout?
Sometimes the answer lies in asking someone else for help.
Ask someone you trust to have a look at your problem with fresh eyes. If you’re too close to the problem, you might be blocked in finding solutions. Turn to someone else for help and insight.
If you have a mentor, this is a good place to go.
Your mentor probably has good ideas about how to run your business, avoid burnout, and even enjoy life more.
Learn from others’ mistakes. Ask for advice and help. An outsider might see things you missed. Or, they might be able to share a problem they’ve had in the past and how they fixed it. You could learn something applicable to your own business situation.
7. Keep Up With Your Health
Many people don’t think about it, but one of the best ways to overcome business burnout is to develop healthy habits.
The way you feel about yourself and the way your health is managed can make a big difference in all aspects of your life — including your ability to cope with stress.
When you develop good health habits, you are more likely to be able to deal with the issues that come with your business. You are better able to deal with stress and you are also less likely to feel the effects of burnout.
Make sure that you are taking care of yourself in these crucial areas:
- Nutrition: Eat right. Eating a lot of junk food can wear down your defenses. You feel drained when you don’t eat right. Fuel yourself with good food and you are more likely to feel energetic. That energy can help you avoid burnout.
- Exercise: Exercise clears your mind and boost creativity. You can get out of a funk just by getting up and taking a 10-minute walk. Take good care of your body, and you will be less likely to succumb to any type of burnout.
- Sleep: Finally, good sleep is vital to running a business without burning out. It allows you to feel energy and helps you make better decisions.
When you are in good health, the whole situation is better in general and there is a smaller chance of burnout.
Don’t let business burnout ruin your success. Take steps to stay motivated and you’ll see better growth over time.
