Do you remember when you first started your business? For me, I had the birds chirping, butterflies flitting, brooks bubbling visions of time with my family, freedom to choose what I do, when, and with whom, and the flexibility to come and go as I please.  Sound familiar?

Unfortunately (for me), the reality of entrepreneurship couldn’t be more further from that vision.  It’s a non-stop ride that can be really isolating and lonely sometimes. 

I admit, I am fully aware of the choices I make and the workload I take on. I work my butt off and I am BURNT OUT.  Don’t get me wrong – I love what I do, but man do I need to recharge.  This got me thinking, what can I be doing better throughout my day-to-day life that will prevent burnout? 

And so, here are the five things I’m committing to do (when I get back) to TRY to quell my burnout (and you should try these too!).

Stop coming up with “Brilliant” ideas

I have to admit.  I’m my own worst enemy.  I’ve worked really hard to create these great systems and processes so I can replicate myself in my team.  I clear space in my calendar as I delegate and see our productivity soar.

Then I get an idea.  And ideas - if acted upon - take a crap-ton of work! I’m not going to tell you how many ideas are in various stages of development right now.  It’s embarrassing. 

I guess this one is two-fold: first, stop coming up with brilliant ideas, and second, finish said brilliant ideas before you start a new one!!

plan my growth

This is closely related to #1 but all these brilliant ideas are working towards my vision to help women entrepreneurs grow, scale, and understand the business side of their business.  As much as I think I can do it all, I’m starting to learn that I need to build my team BEFORE I start down these “brilliant” idea paths. I am constantly getting into a cycle of being too busy to recruit and so busy that I desperately need to recruit.

Here’s my plan to start planning more effectively:

• Limit the number of fires I’ve got burning - too many projects are unmanageable

• Flush out the idea(s) so that there’s a level of detail that you can build off of

• Take those details and put them on a timeline or plan of some sort - I use “click up” as my task management system, but there are others like Asana or Basecamp that do the same thing

• Assign those tasks to people - most will likely be mine, but this is where the art of delegation comes in - do you have virtual assistants (VAs), contractors, consultants, or team members that can take any of these things on? 

If you’re not doing it, make sure your expectations and instructions are clear.

WORKOUT

Full disclosure, I fell completely off the wagon from my workout routine.  Growing up I hated anything (and everything) that required physical exertion.  It wasn’t until I was in my 40’s that I tried going to the gym and actually liked it!  I had found my people at my gym and loved the instructors, owner and other members. And then, as many casualties of covid, they had to shut down.  That was a year ago, and I haven’t done anything since…except work. 

Last week that changed.  One of my lovely clients is a yoga instructor and she’s started an 8 week online program.  She’s in India, and livestreams to us around the world and its amazing (seriously).  But here’s the important part…because I know her (and love her) I CAN’T bail on her!  I HAVE to show up.  When I went to the gym the threat of charging me $25 if I don’t show up kept me accountable; with it being online, I don’t have the monetary threat but I totally feel accountable to her to be there!  Money and Shame seem to be my motivators - hahaha!

So find what motivates you and make the time to move your body.  It honestly does nothing for my weight/waistline (I gave up on that years ago), but man the effect on my mind is amazing.

SPEND TIME WITH OTHERS

This might not be an important reminder to some, but I’m one of those people that straddle the introvert/extrovert line.  I am happily held up in my home for days (weeks) on end.  I forget that there is a world outside my home/family/computer.  When I get out though, WOW do I get a reboot! Whether it is with friends or family, a night out partying, or dinner with the in-laws - other people are fun!  I don’t do it enough and vow to be more social…I’ll return my hermit robe and store that snuggly till winter. Laughter truly is the best medicine.

FOCUS

It felt weird to write “focus” on this list cause that seems to imply working harder but hear me out.  Focus, in this instance, isn’t about working harder but rather working smarter.

It’s so cliché but I absolutely love hearing people say “No” in a full sentence.  I really try to listen when I hear it but alas…I don’t say “no” very often.  You need help, and I’m here.  It’s actually a terrible business strategy cause when you serve EVERYONE you don’t get a chance to be truly an expert to everyone. 

I am a true believer in finding your “niche”.  I’ve done a pretty good job in focusing my business towards creative - women - entrepreneurs - and you “hot messes”…I love you ;). But that’s not to say that there aren’t “non-creatives”, men, “non-entrepreneurs” or people that have their shit together reading this?!  I know you’re out there, and I’m sorry if sometimes these posts or my emails seem a little un-relatable - but hopefully, you find us crazies a little refreshing ;)

I don’t know that I’ll be able to say “no” still, but I’m not going to worry so much about trying to be generic for everyone….you non-nichers know what you’ve gotten yourself into right??

That’s my list!  I hope you’ll help keep me accountable to this and would love to hear your tips for avoiding burnout!