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Running a business is not for the faint of heart. Not only do you have the stress of making sure the daily operations of your business are going well, you have the pressure of paying bills, bookkeeping, doing taxes, ensuring employees are happy and productive. This doesn’t include issues that may be going on in your personal life.
With all of these things riding on your shoulders, it’s easy to get burned out—even if you love what you do and wouldn’t trade it for the world. But you’re not alone! Countless business owners struggle with this.
To help, we’ve compiled a list of our best tips to prevent burnout as a business owner.
Delegate
It’s been said that for a business owner, delegating a task is akin to dropping off your child at daycare or kindergarten for he first time. That’s why it’s common to find business owners wearing numerous hats. It’s hard to loosen the reins on something you worked so hard to build, but delegating certain tasks will save you a ton of time and keep you from a burnout.
Identify which tasks are the most time-consuming and the least enjoyable,hire someone you trust to take over them for you, and then trust them with that task. Check in on them every now and then but don’t be a micro-manager. That defeats the purpose of delegating a task.
If your energy can be better spent somewhere else, free yourself up to focus on those things and feel a weight roll off your shoulders.
Seek Counsel
There’s a saying that goes “every psychiatrist needs a psychiatrist”. The idea is that no one is above help. Everybody needs somebody to talk to even if you’re a professional in your field. The same goes for you as a business owner.
Seek counsel from a veteran business owner—someone whose been there, done that and can give you some helpful tips or just be a listening ear. Or, seek counsel from a fellow peer–someone you can bounce off ideas, suggestions and who you can ask for tips and advice.
No two business owners have the same experiences. So, find someone you can talk to about everything and learn from each others experiences.
Take Time to Take Care of Yourself
The quickest way to a burnout is not taking time off. Don’t feel guilty about it…take a few days or a week off and do something fun, or just relax, recharge and clear your head. You’ve hired people to help run your company, now trust them to run it efficiently while you’re gone.
Humans aren’t robots. We can’t keep running without stopping, resting and recharging our batteries. The stories you hear of CEOs who never sleep or work insane hours is not something to aspire to. The healthier and happier you are, the better you’ll run your business.
Remember, after launching and growing your business, you deserve a break from all your hard work. So, treat yourself.
Find a Business Partner
This is easier said than done but it’s worth pursuing. Find a business partner to share the load. For more than the purpose of splitting tasks, having a business partner helps combat loneliness, which many business owners admit to experiencing.
There are many places to find a good business partner, but here are some great places to start:
Networking events- Whether in person or virtual, networking events can be a great place to find a business partner because everyone there is hungry for new opportunities.
Past co-worker- The perks of partnering with someone you’ve worked with before is that you know their work ethic and their skills. And, depending on how closely you worked with them in the past, you already know how well you two work together.
Close friends- Similar to working with a past co-worker, working with a friend has the added perk of already knowing their work ethic, skills, and compatibility. But be sure to treat your partnership like a real partnership, outlining each persons role/responsibility so there’s no confusion.
Family members- Loyalty can take a while to establish but with family, it’s sort of hard-wired into your DNA. You know they’ll have your back, and like a close friend or co-worker, you know their work-ethic and skills.
In Conclusion
Owning a business, while stressful, is an extremely exciting and rewarding career. By taking care of your mental and physical well-being, you’ll be able to enjoy the ride without a burnout. Be well and thrive.
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