Preventing Entrepreneurial Burnout

News
Jereme Sanborn


two people relaxing on a beachOverwhelmed by your to-do list? Feeling exhausted, stressed or depressed? Having trouble concentrating? You may be suffering from entrepreneurial burnout. A common ailment of small to midsized business owners, entrepreneurial burnout can not only keep you from being productive, it can rob you of the joys of being your own boss. Luckily, there are a number of fairly simple things you can do to combat it.

  1. Prioritize and Outsource – If you’re running a business and you’re trying to do everything yourself, chances are you’ll just end up running yourself ragged. Take a good look at your to-do list and identify the most important tasks. Then decide which of those tasks you’re best suited to tackle and which ones you can delegate or outsource to others.
  2. Take Baby Steps – You’ve undoubtedly got big goals for your business. Achieving those goals however, isn’t always going to happen as quickly as you’d like. Recognize that while you would like to grow your business by leaps and bounds, taking small, persistent steps, one after the other, can be just as effective.
  3. Give Yourself a Cutoff Time and Stick to It – As an entrepreneur, there are always more tasks to complete. That doesn’t mean you have to do them all right now. Consider setting a time each evening when you’ll call it a day and head home to relax. Don’t worry, those tasks will still be waiting for you tomorrow and hopefully you’ll be more well-rested so you can complete them more effectively.
  4. Rely on Your Team – Again, you can’t do everything yourself. Lean on your staff for support … that’s what they’re there for! Consider surrounding yourself with experienced employees who will require less supervision. Doing so may cost you more in the short term, but will pay big dividends in the long run.
  5. Schedule Free Time – Actually put it on the schedule, just like you would a business meeting. Force yourself to carve out time for the things you enjoy. Doing so will help you keep the healthy work/life balance that’s imperative to effectively combating entrepreneurial burnout.
  6. Embrace a Healthy Lifestyle – Eating healthy and exercising regularly can help you stay energized, focused and productive. Consider exercising first thing in the morning to get the energy you need to tackle each day with enthusiasm.
  7. Squeeze Naps in When You Can – Not thinking clearly? Your brain may be tired. According to the National Sleep Foundation, even a 20-minute nap can improve your short-term alertness and performance.
  8. Get a Hobby – Find something you like to do and schedule time to do it on a weekly or even a daily business. Hobbies allow you to step away from your work for a time so that you can return to it with a clearer perspective and renewed enthusiasm.
  9. Remember to Recharge Your Batteries – No matter how busy you are, make it a priority to get away from time to time. Take a vacation with family or friends. Decompress from the daily stresses of entrepreneurship so that when you return you can tackle the challenges in front of you with energy and clarity. Oh yeah, and be sure to turn your email off.