It’s almost inevitable to suffer from burnout if you’re a business owner and living
in our hectic 24-7 culture. However, even with a super-busy schedule, you can
bypass burnout and keep joy and energy in your life. Most business owners (and
people in general) are ripe for burnout when they have difficulty seeing beyond
their current situation. What are the solutions? Write a mission statement and
specify short- and long-term goals. When you connect to your goals, dreams, and
passions and follow your mission statement, which should include some rest and
relaxation, the probability of burnout lessens. Also, it’s important for business
owners to build a trusted network. Cultivate a reliable group of trusted colleagues
and other business owners with whom you have something in common. These are
the people who can help you see what you can’t see about yourself. You need to
have people in your life who can say, “You don’t look so good. You should get
some rest.”
Additionally, if you can squeeze it in, take a weekend trip. A change of scenery
can provide you with a fresh perspective and allow you time to recharge. Train
yourself to recognize the signs that you’re ready for a break, and then take the time
you need for reflection and rest. When burned out, gift yourself with a guilt-free
early bedtime. You’ll awaken refreshed and ready for success.
Lastly, know when to walk away. Sometimes the only cure for burnout is a fresh
start. If you’re working from dawn until well beyond dusk (like most business
owners), it might be time to walk away and regroup before going back to burning
the midnight oil.