If you are a new business owner, then it can be easy to spread yourself too thin. After all, you are driven to see your company succeed. The problem is that if you do that for too long, then you could quickly start to develop the symptoms of burnout. Burnout, at its core, is when you have worked so hard that you start to get tired and become mentally and physically ill. It is essential that you prevent the situation from going too far, and we are here to help.
Today, we will talk a bit about understanding burnout and the steps you can take today to help your company succeed without excess anxiety.
Understand Burnout
When you are first getting your business off of the ground, it is not uncommon for you to work longer days, but you need to have a plan for when to retreat and delegate responsibility so that you don’t overdo it for too long. Otherwise, you could start to develop burnout. Symptoms of burnout include physical issues like fatigue, insomnia, anxiety, and chronic pain, among others.
If that wasn’t bad enough, burnout can also affect your mental health in big ways. You need to keep your head on straight when your company is in the starting phases, and experiencing mental issues like sadness, anger, irritability, and trouble concentrating can quickly derail your best-laid plans. Many businesses fail within the first six months, and entrepreneur burnout can surely be a contributing factor.
One reason that entrepreneurs experience burnout is that they don’t have a streamlined strategy. As such, they are jumping from place to place, but they aren’t really accomplishing what they intended. That is why it is essential that you create a well-constructed business plan on day one. Include what you plan to sell, how you plan to fund the project, where you intend to get the money, how many employees you will need, how you will market your products, and to whom. This plan doesn’t need to be too long or technical, but it should consider your competition and the risks that you may face along the way.
Once you have your plan in writing, you can refer to it every step of the way and use it to regain your bearings if you feel like you are stretching yourself too thin.
Ways To Make Work Easier
When you are constantly working 12-hour days with no end in sight, then it is only a matter of time before you start to experience burnout. You need to think about how you can delegate some of those tasks to other employees who can help take on some of the burden. Even if you want to handle the big business decisions, you can still hand off some of the smaller administrative tasks that have been preventing you from doing the big work.
If you do not currently have the employees or the payroll to bring on more people, then you can also consider outsourcing to third-party independent contractors. This is a great idea because it allows you to work fewer hours, and since you don’t need to pay out benefits or other perks other than hourly pay, you can also save money in the process.
No matter who does the work, it is a good idea to document all of your processes, so they are all straightforward and easy to follow. A good standard operating procedure will allow any employee to take on some of the repetitive tasks, so you can ensure that it is always done right and you don’t have to stress.
If you are still thinking about the type of company that you want to start, then it is worth considering the future-proof businesses that will still exist regardless of how the world changes. For example, cleaning companies and pet services will likely always exist, even as the world becomes more digital, so you won’t need to worry about getting put out of business. It is worth considering these industries because you won’t need to stress about the longevity of your company.
Have A Work-Life Balance
While you can make little changes around your organization to eliminate some of your stress, what you really need is a work-life balance. That means creating a set schedule where you start and end your work at the same time each day. When you are done, leave your work phone on your desk and go spend some time doing something that you enjoy. This routine will allow you to clear your head so you are ready for the next big day.
You also need to take care of your health. Make sure that you get seven to nine hours of sleep every night so you can wake up feeling refreshed. Then, consider implementing at least 20 minutes of exercise into your daily routine. In addition to feeling physically fit, your workout time will also help you to clear your mind, and you’ll get a natural energy boost.
On that note, even if you get enough sleep, you may still feel tired from time to time. If you need to get through a big project, then you can stay energized throughout the whole day by drinking plenty of water, getting up to walk around during breaks, and by taking natural supplements like vitamin D or magnesium. Be smart about your health, and you will stay fit in body and mind.
There are many ways that modern business owners can make life easier and avoid burnout. Consider these steps, and you will find happiness and success with your new enterprise.
Photo Credit
Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash
Guest Author Bio
Jori Hamilton
Jori Hamilton is a writer and journalist from the Pacific Northwest who covers social justice issues, healthcare, and politics. You can follow her work on twitter @HamiltonJori, and through her portfolio at Writer Jori Hamilton.
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