Let's be honest. Burnout SUCKS.
I was super sick in 7th Form (Year 13) and my body never really recovered fully. I get run down and sick easier than the average person, and I need to remember that.
Burnout....I've been there a couple of times in the past, and both times I ended up not taking a break until my body forced me to stop and I ended up being sick for months afterward. Never again, I said. 🤣
Through those times, I learned to listen to the signs my body gives me and I'd been really good until the last few weeks. My business has been experiencing a huge upturn in business, which is amazing, and I'm super proud of myself, but saying yes to every single thing that comes your way - that's not the answer.
But I kept trying to do it all myself, rather than using my very willing and capable team members more. Late nights, weekends, missing out on fun social stuff because I had to work (or was just so tired I felt completely antisocial) and just being constantly exhausted (and snappy...right hubby?) I also started panicking that I was letting our clients down. I am lucky that every one of my clients are amazing humans and super understanding. That being said, I created a business around relationships and prided myself on giving very efficient, personalised service, and I could feel that slipping lately.
No one sets up a business so that they can have less free time feel constantly stressed, and see their families less. No one. But it seems to be the destination for most of us when we don't keep a check on what we are saying yes to. And once you're there, it can be hard to break out of it.
How do you know if you're headed for destination burnout?
You're constantly exhausted.
You start to make stupid decisions that normally would be out of the question.
Making dumb mistakes in business and home life.
You bite everyone's head off.
You feel resentful at how much work you have to do.
You never see your family but you have a great relationship with your computer/phone.
You start having panic attacks.
Feeling teary or on edge with no real explanation.
These are just a few signs, but all ones that I have been feeling lately, giving me pretty honest and obvious feedback that it's time to slow down.
So how do you turn it back around?
For me, this week has been about recovering. I was already doing far too much and then I headed off to run an event for 4 days out of town. By the time I got home, I was barely functioning, and I knew I had to stop. The event was awesome, hope to do it again soon, but I need to set myself up better for it next time.
So this week has been about the minimum effective dose - the bare minimum I need to do to keep all clients happy, but also protect myself. It was about ensuring everyone had this week's posts and newsletters out, meetings booked for next week, and some actual downtime - naps, lots of trashy TV, and chats with friends. This weekend I'm heading out for a nice long walk at the beach, something that has slipped away since being so busy. That's my real "me time".
How Do We Avoid Burnout In The First Place?
So you're not there yet, but you know you could be soon. What steps can you put in place to protect yourself?
Time management - Do you have to do it? Could it be delegated? Are you doing other things that could be put aside to do the important stuff? (I'm looking at those of you checking Facebook/TikTok/Doom Scrolling) Time blocking has been working well for me. Search up the Pomodoro Technique.
Set your priorities - What is non-negotiable today? Minimum Effective Dose and all that - What is the bare minimum you need to get done to keep everything afloat? What could wait?
Make your goals more realistic - Was it realistic of you to think you could have back-to-back meetings today? Is that helping you and your business? How about a couple fewer meetings, with breaks in between to get away from the desk? Maybe have some lunch?
Speaking of breaks - In between tasks, take the dog for a wee and throw the ball around for him, check the mail, go for a walk, and get a fresh glass of water. Something ideally outside if you can. Fresh air does amazing things for your mind.
Check your support system - Do you have team members, family, friends, or biz buddies that you can call on to decompress with? Ideally, people who understand the pressures you have. They don't have to have advice, just having someone who will listen can make all the difference. And accept help! If people are offering to help, accept! If they don't offer - ask!
Book some time off - With the summer holidays coming up, this is particularly relevant. No one can or should work 365,24/7. It's ridiculous to think we can, yet so many of us try. Even if you're not going away on holiday, just a time when you can turn the out-of-office on, turn off the phone, and take a break.
Automate, automate, automate - This is huge. There is so much that we used to do manually that no longer needs to be done this way. Check in with us to see what we can help you automate to bring the stress levels down.
Learn to manage stress - I'm by no means woo-woo, but learning breathing techniques and practicing mindfulness or meditation have helped me hugely. I have a long way to go here, but I'm already seeing the benefits.
Learn to say no - No is a perfectly acceptable answer, and it is also a complete sentence. Something I am still working on is to not have to explain when I decline something. I don't need to explain every little thing! Boundaries are a good thing, whether it's choosing to stick to your rules about working hours (I'm pointing at myself here), taking on client work that is outside your usual scope or babysitting random kids when you don't have time. Boundaries are good.
Know when it is time to get professional help - I'm no doctor. If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel you could benefit from professional help, then do it. Nothing is more important than your mental health. Everything else can wait.
What do you think? Have you been pushing on and on with no respite in sight? What steps can you take to slow the pressure and give yourself a break?
Don't wait until you're a shaky, frazzled mess like I was. Sort your shit out now, make moves to protect yourself before you end up watching endless episodes of Gossip Girl in a dark lounge worrying about the work you should be doing...