At some point or another, we've all experienced burnout, that state of complete physical and mental exhaustion brought on by pushing ourselves too hard. I experienced this early in my career. Soon we're feeling pessimistic and lost, experiencing symptoms like despair and tiredness. Ironically, the more we focus on something when we are burned out, the more distant we feel from it.
Anyone can experience burnout at any moment, but business owners are especially vulnerable to it. A poll by Insider “discovered that just over 40% said they felt anxious every day and that around half worked more than 50 hours a week.” And these figures continue to rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to an Eagle Hill Consulting survey, “One in four U.S. workers stated they are experiencing burnout as a result of the pandemic, and nearly half of workers nationwide report feeling this way”.
A new business owner should follow these eight tips to avoid burnout.
Distribute And Delegate Responsibility
It can be tempting to get personally involved in every element of running a new firm. Do it yourself if you want it done well. Right?
Wrong! Actually, the initial phase is the ideal moment to delegate and divide responsibilities. This may entail hiring a virtual assistant or delegating bookkeeping to an accountant if you are a lone proprietor. Assigning responsibilities will reduce fatigue in all parties if you have employees.
According to studies, employees who have more autonomy and control over their work are more satisfied with their jobs. Instead of micromanaging, empower others and experience how satisfying it is to have responsibilities taken off your plate.
Clarify Your Expectations
Outline your expectations for your staff in clear terms, and let them know in advance if occasionally working late into the night, early in the morning, or on a weekend is to be expected. Make sure to also define your objectives and goals for yourself. Burnout can be hastened by the idea that you'll "Work as hard as you can for as long as you can." Setting a goal for the week or month helps you avoid working excessively for the sake of working.
Take Time Off For People (Including Yourself)
The most obvious piece of advice is to take pauses. The time you spend working will become more fruitful and meaningful if you take breaks. It's crucial to take pauses during the day to stretch and relax; even a quick five-minute walk can help your mental well-being and creativity.
Additionally, you ought to make time to plan vacations from the office. Consider taking shorter, more frequentn vacations rather than the rare long ones because they can be just as beneficial in restoring wellbeing. Your job will be appreciated.
Make Time For A "Think Week"
We've discovered that taking a break is essential for recharging your batteries and igniting your creative fires. Plan a "Think Week" on your schedule to take it a step further. Bill Gates has made headlines for taking these extended vacations of a week or more, cutting off communication with his team, his family and friends. Without sending a single SMS or email to his employees, Gates fully tuned out and disconnected while charting the road to Microsoft's success.
Make Growth Opportunities Available
Your days might become monotonous, so finding fresh opportunities for you or your staff to learn and improve can make work more enjoyable. Helping your team members understand their route to bigger and better jobs will also aid you when it comes to reducing burnout on your team. Nobody wants to feel as though they are working a job that is a dead end, and providing your staff with a path to success will enable them to endure the monotony of their current position.
Be Respectful Of Others' Private Life
The concept of "work-life integration" has gained popularity in recent years as the distinction between working hours and personal time becomes hazier. Simply put, giving employees a life outside of work is the greatest approach to preventing burnout. There are a number of methods to accomplish this, like implementing flexible scheduling so your team may work when and how they want to, encouraging workers to use their paid time off, or enforcing a no-work email or communication policy after a specific hour each night.
Develop Your Network And Rely On It
You'll need someone to bounce ideas off of and complain to outside your company, whether you're a solopreneur or managing a staff. Through online forums or virtual networking events, find a peer or mentor in your field that you can turn to for support when faced with challenging choices or tough times.
Find Your Outlet
Everybody has a habit, activity, or routine that makes us happy to engage in. As a startup founder, we frequently neglect our outlets just when we most need them. Make the time to use your outlet every day, whether it's running, meditation, short story writing, or helping others, even when it seems impossible. Giving yourself enough time to use your outlet productively will almost always result in you returning to work motivated and prepared.
Key Takeaways
Like many mental health-related problems, burnout isn't usually the obvious cause of your utter despair and disinterest. Recognizing the effects of burnout is the first step towards overcoming it. Once you're aware that you have it, you may use some suggestions above to treat it and return to your startup feeling better than ever.
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