If you are a business owner, you likely have experienced burnout at one point or another. It is an almost unavoidable consequence of being an entrepreneur. It does not have to become the norm for you, though. By following a few simple tips or rules, you can learn to manage your business in a way that allows you to feel the freedom that you ultimately craved when you started your business. Living a full life means a work-life balance, and it is possible.
Burnout can manifest as fatigue, absentmindedness, anxiety, depression, or a number of other physical symptoms. If this seems all too common to you, don’t worry. You do not have to become one of the over half of the people who said they experienced burnout in 2021. There is a better way. Let’s get you started on the path to being burnout-free!
#1 Establish a workday for yourself
Many business owners fail to set a workday for themselves the way they would for an employee. This is incredibly important to avoid burnout. Set a schedule for yourself that includes what time you will come in and what time you will leave, and also have a lunch break included. Yes, you may own the business, but it is crucial to set time boundaries to protect your physical and mental health.
#2 Delegate tasks to others
It is virtually impossible to get everything done that you most likely have on your to-do list. You should delegate tasks to employees that can be done quickly and efficiently without your input. If you do not have employees or the jobs are more complex, look into hiring a staffing agency or freelancer to help out. You will focus your time and energy on the more essential things and are less likely to make costly mistakes.
#3 Make sure to take breaks
A day at your desk or continuously plugging away at a monotonous task for hours at a time can be a recipe for burnout. Schedule yourself breaks throughout the day. This needs to be more than just the time it takes to go to the bathroom or grab another cup of coffee. Get up and stretch your legs on a walk, or go hit up a class at your local gym. Even just giving yourself a bit of time to go outside and breathe in some fresh air can be a great way to kickstart your energy!
#4 Set daily & weekly goals
If you are a business owner, you are someone who sets goals for yourself and achieves them. When it comes to avoiding burnout, it is vital to set goals that allow you to feel like you have accomplished something and lets your mind rest after doing so. At each beginning of the workweek, set daily and weekly goals. When you complete something, cross it off your list and celebrate a little. Then at the end of the week, you can enjoy your well-earned rest knowing you got things done!
#5 Join small business organizations
When you sit down in monthly organization meetings with like-minded people who are also business owners, you may find a group of people who become friends. They can help talk you through stressful times, have advice on avoiding burnout, and even chip in to help when things get tough. Small business organizations are well known for having a family-like atmosphere that supports and protects one another.
#6 Plan to eat well
This may seem like a simple and common sense one, but it is so easy for business owners to fall into the trap of takeout and fast food. You are busy! Who has time to cook? If that’s the case, then look into meal services that either deliver fully prepped food or meal kit programs that require nothing more than throwing the ingredients in a pan on the stovetop or in the oven. When you fuel your body better, your brain will be clearer, and you are less likely to get sick. Let’s be honest, you don’t have time to get sick!
#7 Show yourself some grace
You are one person. You cannot do it all yourself, and there are times when you will make mistakes, and things will seem like a failure. The bottom line is that you are not a failure, even if an idea or segment of your business starts to fail. Beating yourself up is an easy road to feeling burnt out. It’s not about if you get knocked down in your business. It’s about getting back up and tackling tomorrow well-rested and ready to take on the world! Burnout is sneaky. One day you can feel like you are on top of the world as a business owner. You are getting things accomplished, and progress is being made. The next moment you can feel like you got hit by a truck. By making sure you take care of yourself and treat yourself as well as you would your best employee, you can reduce the risk of burnout that can have a detrimental effect on your health and the health of your business. Keep yourself feeling great, and your business will thrive! For more tips on living a balanced and bright life, check out more from
