Avoiding Business Owner Burnout

Recharge your batteries while keeping your business going

By Jackie Larson

Burnout is as common as the common cold in the world of business owners. Unchecked, burnout will reduce your effectiveness and negatively impact your business. To avoid burnout:

Recognize the symptoms.
Set limits for yourself.
Take care of yourself.

Face outstanding issues

Unaddressed problems in your business and your system of doing business can be a drain on your life. By recognizing the signs and tackling outstanding issues, you streamline your business and lighten your load.
Try: Take a free stress burnout test from Stresstips. See if you have any of the business problems identified by J. Tol Broome. Assess your personality's fit to your business with this list from Think Vermont.

Banish powerlessness

Everyone faces unique challenges. You can conquer yours by identifying specific problems causing your burnout and setting limits for infringement on your time.
Try: Take a free quiz from WebMD to see if life's running you ragged. Use the Stress Doc's formula for natural SPEED — sleep, priorities, empathy, exercise and diet — to banish powerlessness.

Manage your time

Understand the need for opportunity and replenishment, and set aside time for both. Take charge of your time and prioritize tasks.
Try: Get technology on your side; download a free trial of Checklist time management software for your desktop or PDA. Download a free activity log at Mind Tools to help track and manage your time. Read Getting Things Done by David Allen for more practical time management help.

Invite balance into your life

As a business person, you know failing to plan means planning to fail. Plan for the kind of balance that will leave you recharged and raring to be successful, and give you energy to be effective.
Try: Take a quiz at Quintessential Careers or Mental Health Foundation to determine if your life is in balance. Use Jamie Walters' tips for incorporating things like laughter, nutrition, water, air and socialization for balance. Hire a coach who specializes in life balance at International Coach Federation.

Eliminate crippling isolation

Work on your relationships — delegate, get help and recreate with those who refresh you; or get input and support from others.
Try: Plan a rejuvenating spa retreat like the one at Oasis to reconnect staff and projects. Join a local networking group, service club or online support group. Find a local SCORE chapter.

Take a week off

Trade shows and long weekends don't count. You need to recharge your batteries.
Try: Look for a waterfront rental at Lakehouse Vacations or Perfectplaces. Microsoft has 10 steps to prepare your business for your absence.

Take care of your body and it will take care of you

Paying attention to the vitamins, nutrition and rest your body needs will pay off with increased energy levels, concentration and overall well-being.
Try: Global Health & Fitness and Freetrainers.com have online trainers. Coordinate nutrition and fitness plans with software from FitDay or SparkPeople.

Break up the routine. A change is as good as a rest.
Lighten your load by delegating tasks.
Perfectionism can be the enemy of balance.
Get enough sleep to replenish your storehouse. Consider reducing caffeine intake or inserting a midday nap into your routine.
Join your local chamber of commerce to connect with other businesspeople.