In the midst of the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business, it is all too common to become so wrapped up in the daily grind that you lose sight of the other part of the success equation: making room for life. Yes, you guessed it, I’m referring to the work/life balance.
Let me ask you a question. How much time did you spend working on your business today?
And how much time did you leave for yourself?
If your answer was heavily weighted in the former, you are certainly not alone. Especially if you are starting up a new business, are short-staffed, or struggling with the growing pains of scaling, the idea of finding a balance between work and life can seem like an unattainable goal.
But that’s just it. Finding a balance is essential. Far too many big ideas and dreams burn bright in the beginning but burn out as the weight of maintaining the fervor slowly (or not so slowly) suffocates you and your dream.
As the sea of pink hearts and sweet nothings of the holiday of hearts turns the world bright and fuzzy, let’s take a moment to recenter ourselves and keep an eye out for business burnout.
Signs of Business Burnout
Problems Versus Opportunities
If every question or feedback received is feeling like a problem, then you may be heading into burnout territory. When we are in a healthy headspace, hurdles may be challenging, but you should still be able to see the opportunity to shift and shoot for something better, or something that works.
Monday Dread
If your Sunday nights are spent in a cloud of worry over what you will have to manage on Monday, facing the week can seem downright dreary. This is a definite sign of business fatigue and should not be ignored.
Time Off is…Still Work
If you find yourself taking care of things for your business – even when you’re supposed to be off. Or can’t stop worrying about the things that still need to get done when you are attempting to take some time to yourself, you are definitely in an unsustainable situation. There is only so much time in a day, after all, and if every bit of it is filled with work you will likely be exhausted before you’ve even begun!
Boredom
If the love for your work or passion for your business has fled or is fading, beware. We should always find a sense of reward or challenge in the work that we do – especially if it is something that we have created. The things that we choose to spend our time doing should make us feel fulfilled, or it is hard to stick with it in the long-term.
Health & Sleep Impacts
If you are sleeping less and feeling negative health impacts due to the stress of your business, it can be hard to find joy in your business – let alone a sense of accomplishment or excitement in the venture.
Ways to Counter Burnout
Healthy Boundaries
Establishing healthy boundaries goes a long way in improving not only our working partnerships, but our personal ones as well. Establish clear and concise parameters around your time – and stick to it! Your time is just as valuable as the clients you serve, and you deserve to enjoy your personal time free of work-related crises – imagined or otherwise. It will all still be there during your established hours and planning ahead will do all parties far more good than flying by the seat of your pants. It’s okay to have time to yourself.
Take Time Off
Take. Time. Off. This is a big one – and one of the things that is far too often pushed aside. But it is not negotiable. Time off is vital to recentering ourselves, finding our passion once more, and being able to see the challenge inherent in running a business as the opportunity that it is. Without taking that time for ourselves, we may continue to go through the motions, but that’s not sustainable either.
Remember Why You Started the Business
Finding that thread of passion for your business if it has begun to wane can sometimes be tricky. One of the best ways to pick up the line once again is to remember why you went down this road in the first place. What was the moment when you had your big idea? What was your first triumph? Hold onto the things that made this venture worthwhile and see if you can rekindle that focus once again.
Delegate Responsibilities
Prioritizing your own stability in the face of running a business is admittedly tricky, but not impossible. One of the ways that we ease the burden is by sharing the weight. Whether you need an experienced professional to shoulder some of the weight, or you need advice on improving the systems, platforms, or methods used to manage your business, KSR is here to help. Reach out today to schedule a free 30-minute consultation.
Self-care is not selfish, it is essential. To thrive in business and at home, you must remember that your personal needs are necessary too. Work and life are both vital parts of the healthy/happy equation and we would love to help you find that balance.
Have questions? We’ve got answers. Let’s talk.
