Running a business is definitely a marathon, a long-distance trek to success. Unfortunately, hitting a wall is all too common for entrepreneurs everywhere. Business owner burnout has become commonplace for those looking to get their passion projects off the ground. With the help of some of our Housecall Pro users sharing their experiences, you can gain the tools needed to avoid that dreaded burnout.
It helps to understand why burnout happens to business owners in the first place, the signs of business owner burnout, and how to overcome it. By the end of this guide, you will have all the necessary tools to combat entrepreneurial burnout and prevent yourself from being the latest in a growing statistic.
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout Syndrome
Why Entrepreneurs Crash and Burn
“You can’t pour from an empty cup. Take the time you need to focus on the things that are important to you now.” – Harley Rick
Burnout comes from any number of angles. It often starts with a lost passion, which can come from overwhelming stress and strain. Business owners have to wear nearly every hat, not just the ones that they like the most.
Having self-awareness and acknowledging that business owner burnout is real is a crucial step. If you want to learn how to avoid overload as a business owner, you have to acknowledge that burnout is a real possibility. After all, you can’t ask for help if you don’t acknowledge that there is a problem to begin with.
Unmistakable Signs You’re Heading for Burnout
One of the most critical ways to avoid burnout as a business owner is to know the signs. Here are the unmistakable seven signs of business owner burnout and how they can impact you. Realizing them can help you learn how to deal with burnout syndrome and become stronger as a result.
Chronic Fatigue
Finding the necessary energy to do the job is tough in and of itself. If you find that you are frequently exhausted, it could be a sign that you are dealing with business owner burnout. You can’t learn how to deal with business owner burnout if you are too tired to handle even the necessities.
Reduced Professional Satisfaction
There is a good chance that you got into that particular business because you have a passion for it. That passion can be a driving factor that propels you to the greatest success of your life. When burnout begins to rear its ugly head, that satisfaction and passion can be substantially reduced, making it tougher to handle even the most menial tasks.
Increased Cynicism
Though not everyone is necessarily the most positive, outright cynicism can be detrimental for the business. With burnout comes a more negative mindset not only toward the business, but life as a whole. That constant negativity puts stress and strain on you, your team, and the business as a whole.
Declining Business Performance
Running a successful business is challenging, but you have to be good at some aspects in order to get off the ground. Perhaps you have noticed that your business performance has been declining of late and questionable decisions are becoming more commonplace. Bad decisions happen, but burnout creates far more of them.
Physical Health Deterioration
Stress is a very real part of being a business owner. Without proper management, that stress can manifest itself physically. Deteriorating health is one of the visible signs of burnout, showing itself as bags under the eyes, weight gain, and a noticeable lack of energy (chronic fatigue).
Decision-Making Paralysis
Part of being a business owner means making decisions in a timely manner. If you find that you are struggling to make even menial decisions, burnout may be the answer. Stress, deteriorating health, and other factors can make it tougher to make decisions on each aspect of the business.
Loss of Passion and Motivation
If you find that you can’t recall why you got into the business in the first place, you may be dealing with burnout in the workplace. That passion drove you to get into the business and acts as your daily motivation.
How to Deal With & Overcome Business Owner Burnout
Recognizing the signs of burnout can be a helpful tool for avoiding it. But what happens if you find yourself mired in professional burnout? Here are a few tools that can help you to overcome and persevere.
1. Take Short Breaks
“Take a vacation for a couple of weeks with no business involvement. Let your crew run the show.” – Tyler Cavallo
Breaks are necessary for everyone. Whether it be for a day or a week, you need to get out to take care of yourself. Think of it in another way. Each small break is a trial run for how your team can handle your absence. With repetition, your team will not miss a beat when you need to step away.
2. Empower Your Team
“Set your business up so that it doesn’t need you. Empower your employees to make decisions on their own.” – Dominic Anthony Lucarelli
“My husband stepped back, and we rewarded the team for stepping up. Everyone is invested, and he’s happier.” – Aimee Griffith
No one succeeds on their own. Running a successful business means having the right team to drive things in the right direction. As a business owner, you need to know that you can trust your team. Giving them responsibility and showing trust will not only build their confidence but leave them better equipped to handle things in your absence.
3. Seek Outside Support and Therapy
“Have you talked with anybody professional about it? There is no shame or judgment in getting help to deal with life’s challenges.” – Amy Mattingly
“I reconnected with a therapist, and it helped me process personal changes and improve my mindset.” – Anonymous
Managing the challenges of business owner burnout is not a solo effort. Just as you need your team to run a successful business, you need outside support to manage your mental health. Coaching or therapy can be an exceptional tool for handling the signs of burnout and ensuring that you maintain a strong mental health foundation.
4. Rediscover Your Passion and Purpose
“Find your why. Think about why you started and what it was like in the beginning. – Luke Moerike
“Figure out what YOU are missing, and you may start to love every aspect of your life again – including the business.” – Danielle Saylors
Think back on the beginnings of the business and why you got involved in the first place. Find a way to reconnect with that aspect of the business because that is ultimately the passion that will drive you forward. Failing to recognize that passion is major factor in professional burnout.
Take the time to explore in order to foster and grow that passion. Take on personal growth activities, find new hobbies, and explore new ventures to find a way to nurture that spark.
5. Take a Step Back to Regain Balance with Business Needs
“Nothing wrong with a break and recharge. Start with a few months and see how it goes.” – John Landsborough
“We gave the team raises and bonuses because they’ve been asked to step up. Everyone is invested, and the business hasn’t let anyone down.” – Aimee Griffith
Running a successful business is a team effort. Though you may have things that you want done in a specific way, you must entrust some aspects of the business to trusted team members. Develop a system to ensure that all the necessary bases are covered and allow your team a chance to thrive.
Show the team that your trust in them cuts both ways. If they succeed and show you that they can be trusted, reward them for their contributions. It will not only help with your mental health and prevent burnout, but also ensure that the business is running efficiently as a whole.
Five Tips for Avoiding Burnout as a Business Owner
So, how do you avoid business owner burnout? There are five simple tips that can help you to stave off the dreaded burnout and continue to focus on the important tasks that face business owners on a daily basis.
1. Start Small
Though it may feel necessary to push forward at all times, breaks can be critical. Take short breaks here and there to ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed. It will also test the readiness of your team, ensuring that they can handle your time away.
2. Build Trust
Delegation is a critical part of being a business owner. Being able to hand out responsibilities to trusted employees can make all the difference in the world. Give employees a chance to learn and grow so that they can become trusted, valuable members of the team.
3. Seek Professional Help
You don’t have to go it alone. Talking to a coach or therapist can be a great way to handle both personal and professional struggles. Think of it as another tool to help manage the challenges that come with running a business.
4. Reconnect with Your “Why”
Do you remember why you got into the business in the first place? Stop to remember that from time to time. This is the driving factor, the passion that gets you up each and every day. Without it, running a successful business is an unclimbable mountain.
5. Plan Strategically
Planning helps to mitigate many issues. By planning ahead for times when you won’t be available, you can have confidence that things are running smoothly even in your absence. Develop systems that will provide stability for the business so that you can find stability in your life.
Face Entrepreneurial Strain With Confidence
Knowing about burnout and how to avoid burnout as a business owner is just one of a million things facing entrepreneurs. Taking the necessary steps to recognize the issue and finding a way to balance your personal and professional lives is critical for both personal and professional success.
Though there is no formula on how to overcome business owner burnout, a few simple tips can go a long way. When all is said and done, you can give yourself the tools to best handle a challenge that plagues business owners everywhere.
