When you launch a small business onto the market, you’ll inevitably want to spend as many waking hours as possible making sure it’s a success. Whatever field you hop into or how much experience you have, it takes hard work, determination, and resilience to run a successful company.
As the head of the business, all eyes are on you. Even if you’ve got others in your workforce running the ship, you need to have a good idea of what’s going on and what actions need to be taken to drive your company forward. With so much stress and pressure on you, it can be easy to lead to burnout. To keep a clear head and stay focused on your company, here are some measures you can take to avoid burnout and keep your business afloat.
Stop working excessive hours
Your business is your baby. You’re the one who has spent many hours finetuning your operation to make it the success it is today, so we get that you never want to take your eye off the ball. However, all business owners need to learn when it’s time to finish for the evening. Of course, you’re unlikely to work the normal 9-5 schedule. But there has to be a cut off point where you can separate yourself from your work and truly relax and unwind. Working excessive hours isn’t going to do you any good. Your stress levels will rise as a result, and you’re at an increased risk of burning out. The business will keep on turning whether you’re behind your desk or not, so don’t feel guilty about switching off – it’s vital to do so for your mental wellbeing.
Take regular breaks
As well as cutting back on how many hours you work, you need to factor in regular breaks throughout the working day. Even if you’ve got an endless list of tasks on your shoulders, you need to schedule in some time to recharge your batteries and clear your head. If you don’t take a break, this can affect your concentration levels. Whether you grab a quick coffee, go for a walk, or browse on your social media feeds, having some time for yourself is critical for staying focused on your work.
Identify how often you’re making mistakes
When you’re in the thick of it, it can be easy to make mistakes without even realising. However, small errors here and there can quickly turn serious. Take a step back and look at the bigger picture. While we all make mistakes, the less we make, the better! Should you make a serious bunder, you could be faced with a lawsuit from a client or customer. Therefore, taking out small business insurance for self-employed workers from Suited can provide you with legal defence against such claims. They offer professional indemnity insurance for self-employed, professional indemnity insurance for sole traders, as well as professional indemnity insurance for freelancers.
Delegate tasks
You can’t be expected to do every task in your business. Even if you take great pride in your work, there are only so many hours in the day. This means if you’ve got a small workforce behind you, make sure to delegate tasks responsibly. Doing so allows you to focus on other areas of the business or have a well-deserved rest! Make sure to house regular team meetings. These serve as brilliant opportunities to learn your employees’ strengths and weaknesses, which can make delegating that little bit easier.
Find time for exercise
If you’re sitting behind an office desk all day, this isn’t great news for your health and posture. What’s more, staying in one place can increase stress and put you at a higher risk of burning out. It’s time to stand up and do some exercise. Whether you simply walk around the office, head outdoors for a jog, or have a gym nearby you can go to, you can never underestimate the importance of physical activity. 30 minutes of exercise each day is all that’s needed to reduce stress and anxiety.
Take up a hobby
The Shining quote ‘all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy’ couldn’t ring truer for your situation. If you’ve not got anything to look forward to and take your mind off things once work is over, any pent-up stress will linger and can lead to burnout. Taking up a hobby outside the office can be a fantastic stress reliever. There are so many exciting activities you can partake in. Whether you play sports, go swimming, take up gardening, or start reading, find something that brings a smile to your face. When you do a hobby you love, you’ll stay in good spirits and return to work feeling refreshed.
Focus on getting more sleep
It’s been proven time and time again that poor sleep can result in memory impairment. As a business owner, this is the last thing you need! You must be getting plenty of snooze time every night. Doing so keeps your memory sharp. Some business heads end up tossing and turning each night. And it’s no surprise with all the duties and responsibilities on their shoulders. If you’re like this and wake up feeling lethargic and rundown, you won’t be in the right frame of mind for a day at work. Some of the best ways to get more sleep include going to bed and waking up at the same time, avoiding naps, and avoiding caffeine late in the day.
Practice relaxation techniques
If you’re finding things are getting too much, practicing relaxation techniques can quickly calm you down and keep you focused on your workload. The good news about relaxation techniques is you don’t have to be in a gym to do them. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can be done just about anywhere. Whether you’re sitting in the office, canteen, or out and about, finding a quiet area to zone out can be a tremendous help. Deep breathing can lower blood pressure, relieve pain, improve digestion, and support correct posture.
Talk to loved ones
As the saying goes, a problem shared is a problem halved. Whatever you’ve got going on at work, don’t keep everything to yourself. While some things are understandably confidential, if you find your workload is getting to you and you’re on the edge of burning out, don’t feel embarrassed to reach out to loved ones. Your family and friends care far more about your wellbeing than your business. Whether you meet up for a coffee or call up a loved one, never suffer in silence. If you find your stress is spiralling out of control, it’s time to book a GP appointment.
We get it. You’ve put your blood, sweat, and tears into making your small business a success. You won’t want to take your eye off the ball in case something disastrous goes wrong. However, if you’ve got a decent workforce behind you, the chances of something irreparable happening are slim.
You need to put your health and wellbeing first. If you don’t take the advice above on board, you’ll end up working yourself into the ground. Therefore, finding the right balance between work and pleasure will ensure you stay in good spirits all around and retain a profitable business.
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