Are small business owners at higher risk for business burnout?
Small business owners carry the world on their shoulders, without recharging this can lead to mental and physical burnout.
What is business burnout?
Business burnout is when, business owners or management experience so much stress, they begin feeling exhausted and lose interest in day to day operations, putting the business at risk. Everyone has their breaking point, but the risk remains the same. Lack of interest and exhaustion will lead to poor decision making.
Why small business owners?
Small business owners are in the perfect storm for burnout. In most cases, the business structure is not at a point of equal delegation of duties. In this case, owners end up in the trenches of day-to-day tasks on top of their tasks as owners of the business (marketing, finances, strategic planning, etc). Owners not being in the position to focus on the finances and growth of the business will surely lead to cash flow issues, adding further pressure on the owner who is already overwhelmed.
How to avoid burnout?
Reduce Exposure
Simply removing yourself from the situation, can give the presence of mind to acknowledge you are overwhelmed and come up with a plan of action.
Have Timeouts
Work into your daily schedule time to perform tasks that would take your mind off the business.
Get enough Sleep
Getting enough sleep will reduce fatigue and help you get through the day.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise provides a cognitive regeneration strategy that will allow your mind and body to recover.
Conclusion
Everyone is vulnerable to business burnout. Recognizing that you may be overwhelmed is key to prevention and will reduce the risk of business losses.
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What's been your experience with burnout? What do you do when overwhelmed? Let me know in the comments below.