Mar 23,2022 | 5 min,Business Advisory,Business Growth Consultant,Current Affairs,Human Active Management

Small Business Owner Burnout

4 Tips to eliminate Small Business Owner Burnout, and Get Your Life Back

Burnout happens to everyone at some point or another. It’s widespread among Small Business Owners because of the many expectations put on us.

You are the boss. You are the problem-solver, you should have all the answers.

No matter how difficult the questions might be.

Small Business Owner Burnout is not one specific thing. It’s an accumulation of stresses that deplete our energy, increase negative thoughts, and reduce productivity.

Burnout causes us to lose our passion for our business. This, in turn, increases stress and fatigue. Leading to more burnout! – it’s a vicious cycle.

Luckily there are some proven ways to reduce and recover from Small Business Owner burnout.

1. Build a team you love and trust

Building a team is not as simple as hiring the right people. It’s much more than that. What makes a strong team is teamwork.

Every person has strengths and weaknesses (you included). Working on those strengths and weaknesses together gives your team confidence to get the job done.

Even when you’re not there.

This starts to create some freedom to reduce Small Business Owner burnout and get your life back.

2. Delegate the “on the tools work”

Your biggest value is no longer “working on the tools”. Making sure your teams have everything they need adds more value than doing the job yourself.
As a Small Business Owner, your job is to make sure your team is successful for you. You won’t see that value until you can get off the tools.

3. Connect with the things you love.

You started your business because you were passionate about what you were good at. You wanted freedom, to connect with family and friends.

But the reality of business is very different. You find yourself working ultra-long hours, sometimes for less money, and more stress.

Take the time to connect with your passions, with your friends and family.

Remember why you got into business.

4. Share the burden

All too often I see Small Business Owners taking on the burden of solving every problem on your own. If two heads are better than one why not ten heads? Or more?

If you have a problem or opportunity, present it to the staff, ask them for ideas and solutions. Let them take responsibility to put the solution into action.

This reduces your burden, whilst energizing your staff, creating a sense of purpose, and building a better team.

In principle these things are simple. But in practice, it can be really hard.

You may feel you are “airing your dirty laundry” to your staff, it feels like you are giving up control, or giving away your secrets, and uncovering all your vulnerabilities.

It is scary at first, every one of my clients is hesitant to start, but we do it together in a professional, and highly effective manner.

Once you do these 4 things I guarantee:

  • Significant weight will lift from your overburdened shoulders.
  • Your energy levels will increase.
  • Your business will make more money.
  • You will have more time to focus on what you love, and
  • You will get the passion back for your business.

Often the first step is the hardest, but once you make it, everyone around you will love you for it (including you).

Small Business Owner Burnout can lead to serious mental health issues:

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Chronic fatigue
  • Lost relationships
  • Family tension
  • Money worries
  • High staff turnover
  • Low self-esteem
  • Serious stress-related health conditions
  • Suicide

If you know someone that may be suffering from burnout, reach out and connect with them. If there are health concerns get them the help they need.

Want help?

Lucrature® – is a Business Advisory Service in Sydney. We have a proven framework for profit optimization and continuous improvement. Check out our Framework for Profitable Growth

Other resources you might be interested in:

About the Author:

Brad Horan is an accomplished Business Advisor and Chartered Accountant.

He loves business and particularly the human psychology of business decision-making and its role in achieving success.

Brad has over 20 years of experience in providing Business Advisory services across finance and operations. Early in his career, he recognized that there was a disconnect between operational and financial goals within businesses. This disconnect often resulted in businesses taking different conflicting actions despite trying to achieve the same result.

They unknowingly sabotaged their own business, and in extreme cases, they led to the demise of businesses.

Brad worked with hundreds of businesses over the years big and small, eventually coming up with a framework to drive ownership through all levels of the business. This improves employee relationships, customer experiences, and ultimately reduces work and stress for those managing the business.

Businesses big and small have benefited from Brad’s unique services; Midas, Diamond Pasta, Universal Pictures, HSBC, MetLife, Otis, Transport NSW, Hannover Re, Exxon Mobil, Care Fusion, Cleaning Star, Lonergan Research, Jim’s antennas to name a few.

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