➀ Focus on Organization
If you aren’t keeping things organized, business owner burnout is inevitable. So schedule time to get your desk, files, computer, and anything else in order.
Try to keep up with organizing on a day-to-day basis so that you don’t need to set aside large chunks of time to manage everything all at once.
Keep your passwords all in one place so that you don’t need to search around looking for them. Try going paperless to avoid having a dreaded file cabinet in the first place.
There are many ways that you can work to keep things organized both physically and electronically to save you space, time, and frustration.
➁ Define Your Goals
You can’t work towards too many things at once, or you will experience burnout that can cause poor performance. Stay on course toward your company vision!
Instead of having endless to-do lists of goals you’re striving for, try to plan for three short-term and three longer-term goals. Be sure to be as specific as possible with these goals so that you know when you’ve hit them and can cross them off your to-do list.
Consider rewarding yourself as you reach your goals as well. For example, when you reach a short-term goal, order your favorite takeout or stop and grab a coffee on your way to work. Maybe schedule some self-care, such as a massage or a manicure.
When you reach a long-term goal, think about taking some time off (even if it’s only one day).
➂ Schedule Breaks
Just because you’re the business owner doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve breaks or need them any less than anyone else does. You need to try to maintain a work-life balance as best you can.
To make sure that you take breaks, schedule them into your day and week.
Plan out 30 minutes each day to eat your lunch. During this time, don’t do any other work. If you’re determined to be productive, it might be a good time to listen to a podcast or read a book about personal or business growth strategies.
Every week, work on scheduling at least one full day where your personal life takes priority over your business. This doesn’t mean that you can’t respond to important emails or take care of other small tasks, but most of your day should be spent relaxing.
Better yet, consider working on digital detox days regularly. Remember, it’s okay to shut the engines down periodically. In fact, it’s critical to the small business owner’s emotional and physical well-being.
➃ Learn to Delegate
Surround yourself with the best people you can find, delegate authority, and don’t interfere as long as the policy you’ve decided upon is being carried out.
Nothing will lead to small business owners’ burnout faster than doing everything yourself. If you have a team, make use of them!
It’s best if you don’t take on everything yourself. This will lead to exhaustion. Remember that if you do everything task yourself, they probably won’t be handled the best they can be.
Think about the tasks you don’t like to do, don’t have time to do, or don’t do as efficiently as possible. Then, consider who might do a better job or have time in their schedule to take it on without getting stressed out.
Once you remove these unnecessary tasks off your plate, space opens up for the more important ones, and time frees up for you to do non-work-related things.
➄ Use The Right Tools
One way to save time and money is by utilizing tools to help you get the job done.
Some standard tools that might help you grow your small business are:
- modern accounting software
- a professional website that needs little to no maintenance
- a social media scheduling app
- team messaging software
- a reliable file and document manager
- note-taking apps
- time-tracking software
- outsourcing small tasks
- hiring a VA
The list could go on and on, but the important thing is that you research available tools and use them to help make your life easier.
➅ Work Set Hours
Do you ever find yourself working 9-5 one day, 7-11 the next, and your hours getting crazier and crazier as the week goes on?
Don’t fall into this rut.
Schedule set hours that you plan on working and stick to this schedule as closely as possible. Your schedule doesn’t need to be the traditional 9-5, and it doesn’t need to be the same every day, either.
The point is that you limit your working hours each day so that you can get enough sleep and have the ability to prepare yourself for the next day mentally.
➆ Stay Active
Chances are you probably spend most of your time sitting at a desk, looking at a computer.
The long-term effects of sitting and staring at screens all day are not good. So to counteract all of the time you spend at your desk, stay active and get some exercise whenever possible.
Get up throughout the day to stretch when you have time. Go for a quick walk on your scheduled lunch break. Get a gym membership and work out your stress and frustrations before heading home for the day.
No matter how you choose to stay active, it’s essential that you do.
How To Beat Small Business Burnout
You were bold enough to take the plunge to become a small business owner in the first place. Don’t tolerate business owner burnout! You deserve better than that. Kick it to the curb and fall in love with your business again.
Still wondering how?
Well, this article highlighted seven simple ways to prevent small business burnout, run your business more effectively, and take back some of your free time so that you can enjoy your personal life.
Did any of those ideas resonate with you?
If so, great. Start implementing immediately, and no doubt, you will start to feel the weight of the world fall off of your shoulders.
If you are still unsure where to begin or would just appreciate some coaching through it, don’t hesitate to contact us today to set up some time to talk!
Grab a complimentary copy of our newly revised 2023 Strategic Planner—a great tool to help “Get Your Year in Gear” in 2023!
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