Running a small business is often a labor of love. Between managing employees, responding to customers, and keeping your operations chugging along smoothly, there’s little downtime. According to an OnDeck survey, 61% of small business owners take just five business days off per year. Workers in corporate America, comparatively, take 10 days per year.
It may not be feasible for you to take more vacation time or step away from every aspect of running your business. Yet, it’s still essential to develop a strategy that prevents you from burning out. Burnout can cause bigger problems for you down the road, from poor decision-making to health issues. Keep burnout at bay with these tips.
Change your mindset
“Hustle culture,” which glorifies relentless hard work, productivity, and working long business hours, has been the dominant mindset for years. Many entrepreneurs see overworking as a badge of honor. Shifting out of this attitude is the first step toward building a healthier, more balanced relationship with your work—and avoiding the risk of burnout.
“Create a pause mindset. You don’t have to take a week of vacation, although that’s a great idea. Instead, consider taking a workcation or Sunday afternoons off, at the bare minimum,” said Rachael O’Meara, author of “Pause: Harnessing the Life-Changing Power of Giving Yourself a Break.” “Or, if you’re uncomfortable not working for an entire day, then respond during a specific time, say 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.”
Taking breaks throughout the week doesn’t mean slacking off. Rather, breaks give you a chance to recharge and recalibrate for better performance.
[Read more: 9 Daily Habits That Can Help Prevent Burnout in Entrepreneurs]
Make the most of your breaks
When you do find time to step away from work, make sure you’re not filling that time with equally draining activities. Experts say breaks are only effective when you’re fully, completely relaxed.
“Sit down, take a deep breath, and do something you enjoy that’s not work related. If you catch your thoughts running about work, that’s fake relaxing,” wrote Square.
Exercise and meditation are two great ways to make your breaks feel reinvigorating. Go outside and take a walk around the block. Check in with friends or family. Spend time doing a puzzle. Give your body and brain a chance to unwind, even for just 30 minutes.
It can be helpful to connect with other business owners who have shared similar experiences and can relate to your position.
Make technology work for you
Not every business owner has a team or partner they can delegate to. However, there are many tools designed to help small teams or solopreneurs work more efficiently.
Tools like Shopify, Zendesk, and Hubspot can help you automate e-commerce, customer service, and marketing. Platforms like Motion or Trello manage daily schedules, project timelines, and reminders, allowing you to focus on high-value activities. There are an increasing number of AI integrations that can automate administrative tasks, such as email sorting, customer support (via chatbots), and appointment scheduling, among others.
It might take a little extra effort at the outset to find the right AI and automation tools to alleviate your workload. Once you have a system that’s up and running, you should be able to take the daily, repetitive tasks of running a business off your plate and free up time for fulfilling work.
Connect with other business owners
Social interaction is a proven way to combat signs of burnout. It can be helpful to connect with other business owners who have shared similar experiences and can relate to your position. Look for opportunities to connect with other entrepreneurs, partners, and associates.
“Community and social connection can be energizing and help you stay focused on your purpose,” wrote Fast Company. “Whether it’s time with family, friends, or even your team, set aside time on your calendar regularly to connect on a transparent, personal level.”
Especially when you first start out, running a small business can feel isolating and lonely. Don’t ignore those feelings; find time to get out and meet your customers and others in the community.
[Read more: What to Know About Entrepreneur Burnout And How to Prevent It]
CO— aims to bring you inspiration from leading respected experts. However, before making any business decision, you should consult a professional who can advise you based on your individual situation.
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