Being a small business owner was never an easy gig. While it is certainly rewarding, working for yourself is hard work that requires you to fulfill many different roles. Then the coronavirus pandemic came along, hurting so many small businesses. The stress on some people due to the impact of coronavirus on their business has been like nothing they have experienced in the past.
Even if you’re back in business and things are slowly starting to return to normal, you may still be experiencing burnout. We have compassion for your situation here at Juvo Business Advisors and want to help by offering a few tips to help you get back in the game.
Recognizing Burnout is Half the Battle
There is both bad news and good news when it comes to burnout. The bad news is that ignoring it could cause you to make rash decisions that you would not have made if you felt more physically and mentally balanced. For example, one day you may decide that you have just had it and you stop proactively taking steps to help your business succeed. You could even find yourself in a legitimate mental health crisis. The good news is that you don’t have to let burnout take over when you recognize its symptoms. Some of these include:
- Feeling chronic physical exhaustion that affects your ability to make good decisions.
- Not feeling satisfied with your job or the company you worked so hard to build.
- Feeling cynical, which can be especially easy to fall into when you feel a loss of control over your small business.
Small business owners don’t always realize that they are experiencing burnout. They just have a vague sense that something is not right. Rather than rush to put your business on the market, we suggest paying attention to the way you feel. Some of the most obvious signs of business burnout include:
- Headaches
- Inability to focus
- Irritability
- Making yourself unavailable to employees
- Restlessness
When you frequently experience these burnout symptoms, it’s time to take a step back and tackle the problem.
Strategies for Overcoming Burnout
The first thing to understand about burnout is that there is no shame in it. Nearly everyone experiences it occasionally, from entry-level workers to CEOs. The year 2020 was not an easy one for anyone, making it much more likely that you and possibly several of your employees will deal with burnout firsthand.
You can reduce the power of burnout as a small business owner by calling it what it is and committing yourself to overcoming it. We recommend starting by giving yourself at least one full day off from your business responsibilities. Be sure to appoint someone to fulfill your role in your place and avoid looking at or answering work-related emails, texts, or other forms of communication.
Seeking therapy, at least temporarily, can help you identify the symptoms of burnout. Sometimes all that small business owners need is for someone to listen without interrupting or offering solutions right away.
It is also possible that you may need to get better about creating boundaries for your employees, business partners, and others with whom you interact each day. Let them know when you are and are not available as well as what is your responsibility and what is their responsibility. While this can feel awkward at first for those not accustomed to it, the few minutes of tension certainly beats festering resentment towards those who many have no idea what you need.
Lastly, remember that you cannot do everything or be all things to all people. Although no small business owner wants to go through a crisis like COVID-19, this could be a good time to redefine your company’s goals and values. Remember that Juvo Business Advisors is here for you. Feel free to contact us today to request an appointment to get more help defeating burnout and thriving as a small business owner once again.
