The hustle and grind of running a business can be tough at the best of times. 

Let’s be real, especially when it’s your own business, it can be easy to fall into the trap of thinking that you need to be working all the time to keep things running smoothly. 

But the truth is, working too much can lead to fatigue, resentment, and ultimately burnout.

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. 

The US Chamber of Commerce found in a 2023 survey that 48% of small business owners have experienced burnout in the past year.

The common causes of entrepreneur burnout include: 

• long working hours, 
• high levels of stress and pressure, 
• insufficient work-life balance, 
• lack of support, 
• unrealistic expectations, and 
• the constant need to adapt and evolve in their business environment

In 2019, the World Health Organization defined burnout as: a syndrome… resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. 

And it can show up through symptoms such as:

• insomnia, 
• irritability, 
• fatigue, 
• high blood pressure, 
• emotionally drained
• physically exhaustion
• excessive stress, and 
• sadness. 

So how do you avoid burnout? 

Here are five tips to help you avoid the debilitating effects of burnout.

1. Set boundaries

Set specific times when you will and will not be working. It’s also important to schedule time for yourself outside of work, whether it’s going for a walk, reading a book, or just relaxing. By setting boundaries, you’ll be able to disconnect from work and recharge, which will ultimately help you avoid burnout. 

To find out how to set boundaries, read this.

2. Focus on self-care

Self-care is about taking care of your physical, emotional and mental health. It can include exercise, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and taking time to relax and unwind. When you take care of yourself, you’ll be better equipped to handle the stress of running a business.

For inspiration on practising the art of doing nothing, listen to our podcast here.

3. Delegate responsibilities

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to do everything yourself. In fact, when you try to take this role on, you become the bottleneck in the business. By delegating tasks to others, you’ll be able to focus on the most important things and will also be able to give your team the chance to grow and develop.

Find out how to fix the problem of being the bottleneck in your business here.

4. Follow a system for planning

People who are burnt out spend a lot of time worrying about not having enough time to do something or forgetting something important. It’s crazy to expect that you can park everything in your brain to remember (because that’s a sure-fire way to wake up at 2am realising you left something off your mental list!). Instead, find a structure that’s simple and works for you to map our what matters the most. Then stick to it like glue!

Need help to set up a system for planning? Check out our resource on how to create your 6 month business plan in just 60 minutes here.

5. Seek support

Finally, it’s important to have a support system in place. Running a business can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. By surrounding yourself with a supportive community of friends, family, and colleagues, you’ll be able to share your experiences, get advice, and find support when you need it.

If you find it hard to ask for help, then reading this might be helpful.

Remember while burnout is rife, it is also preventable. 

Implement these tips today, and if you want more hands-on support DM me and let’s start a conversation.