3 Tips to Avoid Burnout as a Small Business Owner
Between inflation, the threat of a recession, financial instability, stagnant wages, and the shroud of uncertainty gripping our economy, it’s no wonder the stress levels of today’s workforce are skyrocketing. Stress is a large contributor to burnout, which leads to “lower job satisfaction (55%), lower confidence that their employers care about them (47%), negative perceptions of work-life balance (55%) and a higher likelihood of seeking another job in the next year (56%)” according to the 2022-2023 Aflac WorkForces Report. But what we don’t do a great job of focusing on is how burnout affects small business owners, and what steps they can take to avoid it. Burnout can have a seriously negative affect on your business and life. Today we’ll cover off on 3 tips to avoid burnout as a small business owner—so you can get on with the important stuff, like running a business.
Focus on the “why” behind your business, and celebrate successes
When your days are hyper-focused on keeping your business running and employees happy, it’s easy to get tunnel vision. That clouded view makes it easy to lose sight of why you started your business in the first place. It also makes it easier for negative thoughts to creep in—perhaps you had less-than-stellar sales quarter recently, or a star employee requested a raise you weren’t able to provide. Getting stuck on one or two “failures” can quickly turn your brain into a pessimistic haven for negative thoughts. Do yourself a favor and go back to the early days of your business planning, when you were excited and driven and the possibilities for success were endless. In essence, take in the big picture. What have you achieved over the last year, 2 years, decade? How much has your business profited, how many employees have you added to your staff? Have you expanded your location, or possibly opened a second one? Reminding yourself of these wins can help get your brain onto a more positive track.
It’s okay to say “no”
Sometimes, we just can’t say no—especially if it’s to a great opportunity with the potential to take your business to new heights. But if you’ve got too much on your plate, your mind doesn’t have space to truly focus on the here and now (or the successes we mentioned above). If your stress-levels are at their peak, saying “no” is a critical way to avoid resulting burnout. It’s important to set boundaries not only in our personal lives, but in our work lives as well. After all, saying “I can’t take this on right now” will help the requestor out, too: Chances are that if your plate is too full, the work you produce won’t be nearly as good.
Surround yourself with support
We all need people in our court, those folks who are consistent cheerleaders and great listeners. When stress and burnout come knocking, lean on your network to help you through. Whether it’s a business partner or best friend, keeping connected is an important way to stay grounded and calm. And one more piece of advice: Don’t just talk about work. Remember that your business doesn’t have to define you, even though you pour your heart and soul into it. Do not lose sight of yourself, your goals, and your personal relationships—in the face of burnout, your mental health is the most crucial thing you need to nurture.
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