Small Business Burnout
The first step to solving any problem is the ability to recognize that the problem actually exists and exactly what it is.... Burnout or Running on E with your E-business!
Signs to look for:
Feeling Overwhelmed - Overwhelmed, even with the smallest to-do list? Your mind reads in between the lines of those to-do lists and it can be overwhelming even when it is a seemingly small list. I also think that sometimes we subconsciously don't write down everything we need to do... we skip the small things so that our list doesn't become overwhelming, but all of the stuff has to be done anyway... We can't fool ourselves!
Less Productive than Usual - You're doing the same amount of work (or more!), but not as much is getting done, right? To-do lists are ever-growing yet you feel like you're just barely treading water, not really going anywhere. This is a sure sign that you're either burnt out or about to be.
Constantly Tired - No matter how much you sleep, you wake tired. Just getting out of bed feels like a task that will take all of you. Anything else is impossible. You try to get started, but within a few hours you need a nap.
Tips to help reduce the chance of burnout:
Set Business Hours - Do it. Now. Like Yesterday. Seriously, you NEED to separate business from not business. This is so important to avoid burn out. If you do not have set business hours you have tendency to live and breath it. You check it first thing when you wake up and last thing before bed and countless times in between. You related to that, didn't you? You tried to deny it, but you can't fool yourself, remember? Now, business hours. And stick to it!
Learn Triggers - One of my big ones was a dirty/scattered desk. When my desk is a hot mess, I am a hot mess. I'm not sure what you're trigger(s) are, but you may want to try to be more open to seeing them, so that you can avoid them. Now I know that I have my most productive days when I have a clean desk to start on. Now, by the end of the day it typically looks like a disaster area all over again. That's okay because tomorrow is a new day and clearing it off helps me to organize and prepare.
Organize - speaking of organizing... I am not an organized person. That sounds awful, but I mean, typically I am pretty scattered. But when it comes to business I have to be organized, sometimes even over-organized to keep myself on track. The rest of my house could be a disaster, but my work area will be organized. I keep a planner and daily to-do list open on my desk. My files are either in the filing cabinet to my left or in the wall holder to my right (if it's an open order). I have two monitors so that I can keep distracting social media open in one while working on the other in Photoshop or Illustrator. I even have a hook on the side of my desk to hold my headphones so that they don't get buried under papers or smooshed by the drawer on my desk. Whatever it is for you, find the key to your organization! It helps a lot!
Prioritize - This one is tricky. Different things for different people, I know I say that a lot, but it's the truth! For me, I make a daily to-do list, but I don't put it in any real order, nor do I assign times to get things done (unless it's a scheduled call). I prioritize the list into what has to be done that day and what could possibly wait until the next day. Then from there, I go where the mood takes me (within the limits of the prioritizing).
Learn to say NO - I am still learning this. I LOVE to help people. Like, to a fault. I am known for going over time limits on calls, volunteering too much, etc. I have a very hard time saying no. Especially to my friends and family and especially when I see someone really trying to help themselves and I could help them. BUT, it's really important that you know your limits. We all have time restraints, other obligations, etc. It is unfair to say yes to something that you can't give yourself fully to, so just say no.
Keep a list of accomplishments - This one is fun! Did you get featured in an article? Have a particularly good sales month? Even if it was just that you remembered to post a blog on time, write it down. Keep a list of your accomplishments no matter how big or small. That way when you feel the creeping up of the burnout, you can review this list to give you motivation to keep pushing forward.
Burnout will happen. I'm pretty much convinced that it is inevitable at some point(s) or another. What is important is that you can recognize it, learn what is causing it and work towards a fix for it. Take a day off, reorganize your thoughts, make a plan, and breathe. You've got this.