For many small business owners, the idea of work-life balance can seem like an unattainable myth. Running a successful business takes time and dedication. You may find yourself putting in long hours to manage your company’s overall productivity and operations. Studies have found that there is such a thing as working too hard and long, which can ultimately take a negative toll on your personal life and professional productivity.
What Is Burnout and How Can It Impact Your Business?
Stress, exhaustion and periods of “working around the clock” are common when you’re creating a successful company. Burnout is a physical, emotional and psychological state that ultimately interferes with your ability to effectively lead your company.
Signs of Burnout
Although every situation is different, there are a few common factors that contribute and increase the likelihood of burning out:
- Putting in too many hours without taking time to recharge
- Lack of adequate work-life balance
- Focusing all of your time and attention on professional duties
- Stress, uncertainty and risk
- Demands of leadership
- Lack of clear vision and milestones to measure success
Burnout is more than just feeling stressed out about your career. Chronic stress can also hurt your physical and mental health.
Some of the most common signs and symptoms of occupational burnout include:
- Physical and mental fatigue and exhaustion
- Loss of motivation
- Difficulty concentrating and staying focused
- Difficulty shaking negative emotions like cynicism and frustration
- Diminished problem-solving abilities
- Loss of interest or energy for personal interests and activities
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Physical health problems related to stress
- Loss of productivity/job performance is suffering
Every business encounters difficulties, some more stressful than others. If you find that your anxiety and other symptoms remain after a particular project or deadline, you may want to re-evaluate your schedule and the current state of your well-being. Chronic stress and burnout cause symptoms that continue to linger even after the deadlines have been met or project has been completed.
How to Recover from Burnout
The recent attention to concepts like mindfulness in the workplace and digital detoxes may be gaining more popularity as a response to the rise of chronic stress and burnout among entrepreneurs and employees at all levels.
To combat burnout, you are encouraged to take self-care seriously and to make time for exercise, healthy eating, personal activities and quality time with friends and family. As a busy entrepreneur, though you have limited time, your well-being and happiness are an investment in your personal and professional success.