Working as a small business owner is rewarding, but other times it is emotionally draining. It can be overwhelming, and you are burning out without realizing it. Between admin tasks, marketing, taking care of clients, managing your online presence, plus your responsibilities at home, there’s little time left for yourself.
It can be a slippery slope if left unchecked in its early stages. It’s essential to identify the signs of burnout early, so you can learn how to manage it before it can harm your health and business more.
Common signs of burnout
- You need to be more motivated and able to perform your usual duties.
- You’ve lost sight of what’s important.
- You feel that you have no control over your business, or you feel trapped.
- You’re working too much and bringing work home.
- You failed to prioritize your health.
The effects of burnout on a small business
Burnout doesn’t just negatively affect the mind. It can also affect your business, including low productivity, poor decision-making, and more “dropped balls” and stalled projects. Some more severe impacts are harder to come back from, such as mistreating employees, toxic office, and negative public image. These side effects of burnout might result in lower sales, customer loss, and employee churn.
How to bounce back from a burnout
Whether you’re currently experiencing symptoms or are concerned about developing them in the future, it’s better to start taking action; stop and reassess your situation. Here are my top tips to overcome burnout and regain your business mojo:
- Have a healthy work-life balance. Eat well, exercise, get enough sleep, and maintain your social life outside work. Avoid thinking about upcoming projects or answering emails when you leave the office.
- As a business owner, you naturally focus on work, but you must schedule some time to detach from anything work-related to reset and recharge completely. Consider taking a sabbatical if you need it.
- You don’t need to carry all your business burdens alone. Learn to delegate tasks that are repetitive and time-consuming. Consider sourcing help from an experienced virtual assistant to help you run your business and reduce your risk of burnout.
- Put your phone on do not disturb after hours. This is a big thing I try to teach my clients. We are not doctors – it is not a life-or-death situation. 99% of what we do can wait until the office opens tomorrow. Your family and your sanity are much more important!
- Another one I feel strongly about is saying NO! It is okay to say no to something – whether it is bringing someone a dish or attending an event. You have to make time for yourself and your family.
TimeHelperz is a full-service virtual assistant firm with over nine years of experience. We can handle your social media, email marketing, blog writing, and other administrative tasks. Remember, taking good care of yourself means taking good care of your business. If you’re ready for a better work-life balance, contact us today to get started!