Q: I’ve worked hard for several years to build up my business, but the long hours, missed weekends and pressure-packed deadlines are wearing me down. What can I do?
A: There are a great many rewards in running your own business. But you must also be aware of the trade-offs and sacrifices that come with being in charge. Over time, the stress and strain may take their toll on your physical and emotional health, affecting relations with your employees, family and friends as well as impacting your business. Fortunately, there are many good ways to keep business burnout at bay.
First, identify those responsibilities or activities that are causing the stress. What aspects of running your business regularly cause discomfort or even anxiety? Perhaps you dread mundane tasks like bookkeeping and filing reports, or having to make sales calls. You may have customers who are difficult to work with, or do not pay invoices on time. And, because you are responsible for everything your business does, you may find yourself obsessing about things beyond your control.
One cure for an overburdened mind is to shed some of your responsibilities. Members of your staff with specific skills or leadership potential may be good candidates to take on certain functions. Consider using a company that specializes in offloading the administrative work of businesses. If you’re a solo entrepreneur, it may be time to hire your first employee or outsource to a part-timer.
Schedule some “me” time and stick with it. You follow a regular maintenance schedule for your equipment, so why not treat yourself the same way? A monthly lunch get-together with colleagues and designated family nights are great ways to get your mind off business issues and reconnect with the people who matter most to you. Even a quick walk around the block will do wonders to refresh your mind and spirit.
Sometimes, problems or challenges aren’t the cause of burnout; it’s the lack of them. Look for new challenges to stimulate your interest and energy. Recapture the thrill you experienced when starting your business by considering expanding or enhancing your products or services. Make sure you plan staffing and resources to support any new venture, however, so you don’t unnecessarily add to your workload.
Seek advice from experts, mentors or experts. Many sources of burnout are common to entrepreneurs and you can learn much from their experience. SCORE offers many valuable resources to help you resolve your small business dilemmas.
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