5 tips to manage business burnout
Business burnout is real, and especially after the year we have had I would say very common amongst small business owners. The grind of having to do it all, and always being busy just wears you down and the exhaustion can be totally demotivating. Don’t fear though, I have been burnout many a time and I’m here to tell you it will be ok. Here are my top 5 tips for managing business burnout to help re-energize you and get you back on track!
Clean your work area
Yes, I know. It might seem basic, but our brains are wired a certain way. Clutter and mess make us feel mentally cluttered and messy. Clean your work space up, organise it so it really works for you and make it pretty. Pop up an inspiration print, buy yourself a beautiful compendium, get an under desk draw for the essential but messy paper work that seems to build up every other day. Trust me, you will feel so much better having your workspace in order, and it will give you the clarity to get your work done quicker.
Take some time out
I always cringe when someone says this to me, but it’s not only needed but necessary. You need to let your mind wind down every day, and there needs to be a point where you cut off and stop working. No argument. Set the time and set it on stone, if you have work that isn’t finished jot it down on a list ready to continue on tomorrow morning. The result of working through, late nights and not taking care of yourself is burn out. You are only human and you are doing enough – allowing yourself peace and serenity is going to recharge you and you will be a lot more productive.
Go for a walk
Getting outside and getting some good ol’ vitamin D can help ground you and give you perspective. Just walking along and letting your mind wander can recharge you, and even help you business grow as its designated time where you are just walking around brainstorming. Nature is incredibly healing and can help calm anxiety and stress. Plus exercise is always a bonus right?
Positive self talk
As small business owners, we can tend to be our own worst critiques. This hasn’t been done, why haven’t you posted on social media today, things are not running smoothly. Its ok to feel overwhelmed but being a big meanie to yourself mentally isn’t going to help this, it’s going to hurt and stress you out more. And when you are stressed and miserable, its harder to work and be productive because you just feel gross. Try replacing those negative lines with positives in your mind. Instead of ‘it’s so bad I haven’t gotten back to this person yet’ replace it with ‘it’s great that this is on my list and I will action it at this time’. Instead of ‘I can’t do Facebook’ try ‘It’s great that I’m trying to learn something new and extending my business reach’. The fact is, you are pretty rad for being a business owner – it in general means you are an action taker. So mentally take a win where you can, self love is important and you are worthy.
Put your grand ideas on hold
As business owners we tend to be budding with ideas. And it’s great, love that energy but if you are feeling burnt out these ideas can be overwhelming. My advice is to pick one, big grand delicious idea as your primary goal for a chunk of time, I personally do 4 months. Everything else? Goes in a notebook of ideas that you can reflect on when you big grand delicious idea you are currently working on is done. Staying focused on one project at a time is only going to benefit you, and it’s going to give you a clarity of purpose.
In conclusion
Burn out is so common, and please don’t feel bad for one second if you end up exhausted in a pile on your bed. Tell the guilt ‘not today’. If you need time to recharge take it, because before you know it you will be back at it taking names and kicking business butt.
