How to avoid burnout as a small business owner

Running a small business is tough – you've always got a lot on your plate and the responsibility for the company's performance rests pretty much with you. As such, the risk of mental health issues rearing their ugly heads can be fairly high.

The state of being unable to continue in your job – burnout – can be a precursor to more serious issues like depression. It's important, then, to look after yourself and not fall into a state of burnout.

What is burnout?

When you spend too long battling away at work, hustling night and day to make your business the best it can be, sometimes it can all catch up with you. Psychology Today defines burnout as a condition of ongoing stress that results in:

• Physical and emotional exhaustion,
• Cynicism and detachment,
• Feelings of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment.

Alongside these negative feelings and symptoms comes an inability to perform your job to the level you once did.

Avoiding a state of burnout is important, not only for the health of your business, but the health of your mind too.

How can you fight against burnout?

1. Make the time for personal care

Don't let your physical health fall by the wayside. Taking the time to get plenty of physical exercise and sleep can help a lot to keep your mood in a positive space.

2. Delegate to others you can trust

While you'll always be the ultimate decision maker, there's often reason why you have to make every decision. Delegating the responsibility for making choices in some areas to managers that you trust can take some of the load off your shoulders.

3. Have a sense of your destination

Sometime as a small business owner you'll have had such a day that it drives you to ask, "why am I even doing this?" While this is often just a response to the pressure of the present moment, you shouldn't simply dismiss the question. Having a strong sense of why can help you when the times get tough. If you find that the answer is "I don't know", it's probably time to sit down and have a strong look at exactly the purpose and direction you want your business to have.

At Wilson Porter, our goal is help our clients achieve their goals by enhancing their full business potential. Whether that's managing tax compliance, analysing performance or developing wealth creation strategies, we can help you bring your business to the next level. For more information, contact us today.