Being an entrepreneur is hard work. You have to wear a lot of hats, juggle a million different balls, and always be thinking about the next big thing. It’s no wonder that so many entrepreneurs suffer from burnout. In fact, a recent study found that 63% of entrepreneurs have experienced symptoms of burnout at some point during their careers.
But what exactly is burnout? And how can you tell if you’re suffering from it? Read on to learn about the signs of burnout and what you can do to prevent or recover from it.
You feel tired most days and may even feel completely drained and overwhelmed by what you need to deal with that day.
No matter how much sleep you get, burnout will leave you feeling tired. You’ll be physically and mentally exhausted most of the time, even after a good night of sleep or a break away from work.
One of the hallmark signs is dreading going to work. Everyone dreads going to work some of the time; there might be an awful client to deal with or negative consequences from a bad decision to manage. But if you dread going to work consistently, it’s a sign of developing burnout.
One of the most common signs of burnout is working long hours. When you’re running your own business, it’s easy to fall into the trap of working around the clock. If you find yourself working long hours regularly, it’s time to take a step back and reassess your priorities.
Have you recently made an accounting error on a client’s invoice? Or mixed up the date or time for an important meeting? When you’re tired, focusing and paying attention to detail is harder. As a result, small mistakes can easily slip through the cracks. If you find that you’re making more mistakes than usual, take a break and come back to whatever you’re working on with fresh eyes.
When you’re feeling burnt out, it’s easy to lose sight of what’s important. You might get bogged down in the details and forget why you started your business in the first place. If this is happening to you, it’s time to take a step back and evaluate your goals. What are your long-term objectives? What are your priorities? Once you clearly understand your goals, it will be easier to get back on track.
When you’re running your own business, making time for self-care can feel nearly impossible. You might not have time for regular exercise or healthy meals because you’re too busy working. However, neglecting self-care can actually make burnout worse.
If you’re not taking care of yourself physically and mentally, it will be harder to cope with stressors in your life. Make sure to schedule some time each week for activities that make you happy and help reduce stress levels.
Another common sign of burnout is anxiety. When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it can be hard to keep your anxiety in check. If you find yourself worrying more than usual or having difficulty sleeping, it might be time to seek professional help. A therapist can teach you how to manage your anxiety in a healthy way so that it doesn’t lead to burnout.
If any of these signs sound familiar, chances are good that you’re experiencing entrepreneur burnout. The good news is that there are steps you can take to manage stress better and avoid burnout altogether. By taking care of yourself physically and mentally, setting boundaries, and staying focused on your goals, you can defeat burnout and build a successful business at the same time!