Starting your first business is exciting. You’ve got passion in your veins and you feel ready to take on the world with your fantastic idea! As a result, it can be tempting to try to “do it all”. After all, your business is your baby, and you want to give it all you’ve got.
Though there’s nothing wrong with putting your nose to the grindstone and working hard to launch a new business, working yourself too hard can end up doing more harm than good. In fact, it can be counterproductive to the success of your launch.
It’s a mistake many first-time entrepreneurs make – putting the entirety of your business on your shoulders. Unfortunately, that can cause you to burn out before things really get going, and your chances of success are severely slashed.
So, what can you do to avoid burnout as a first-time entrepreneur?
Let this be your guide for setting healthy boundaries between your work and personal life, and how you can prevent burnout from happening as you get your business off the ground.
Take Frequent Breaks
It’s common for first-time entrepreneurs to have their foot on the accelerator at all times. However, a non stop “hustle” mentality will put you at risk of burnout very quickly. Ask yourself if you’re getting enough sleep. Are you taking care of your physical health? Are you spending time with people you love and doing things you enjoy? If the answer is “no” to those questions, you could be on the cusp of burning out already. Some of the common signs include:
- Feeling overwhelmed with stress
- Fatigue
- Difficulty sleeping
- A negative attitude toward work
- Physical aches and pains
While it might seem counterproductive, it’s imperative to take breaks. That includes taking short breaks throughout the day to spend some time relaxing, and longer breaks that take you away from the work environment for hours at a time.
Taking breaks is a great way to maintain your physical and mental health, and it can actually make you more productive at work since you won’t feel so exhausted or creatively depleted. Leave work at work, and enjoy your personal life as much as possible. Strive to find a work-life balance that leaves you feeling energized and fulfilled, and you’ll maintain that spark for your new business that caused you to start it in the first place.
Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff
Starting a new business can be scary. There are so many “what ifs” to consider, and if you focus solely on the things out of your control, you’ll become overwhelmed with stress and anxiety.
One of the best ways to have a firm grip on things is to establish a strategic business plan. According to the Small Business Association, a standard business plan should include:
- An executive summary
- A company description
- Market analysis
- Organization and management information
- A description of your service or product
- Marketing and sales
- Financial projections
- Funding
Having all of that information laid out in front of you can make it easier to know what’s in your control and what’s not. You’ll be able to predict the future of your business more accurately, and you should be able to determine its longevity. If you’re not starting a business in an industry that is essentially “future-proof”, you could run into problems very quickly. The cleaning industry, data and analytics, healthcare, childcare, pet services, and home repairs are all examples of industries that will undoubtedly stand the test of time. While they aren’t the only ones, it’s essential to consider the industry you’re stepping into and how much control you’ll have over its future – if any.
Planning, preparing, and future-proofing your business are all important. However, at the end of the day, you’ll need to learn to let go of things you can’t control. Don’t sweat the small stuff, especially when there’s nothing you can do about it. Instead, focus on continuous forward progress, overcoming issues when they arise, and not letting them hold you back from a bright and promising future.
Ask for Help and Delegate What’s Necessary
It can be hard to let go of any part of your business – no matter how small. However, look at the most successful companies in the world. If one person was shouldering all of the responsibilities, they would collapse. While you might have a small business, by comparison, it’s still okay (and necessary) to have some help.
Start by asking for help when you need it. As you’re just getting off the ground, that might include relying on family members and friends to take on certain responsibilities and roles. As you prepare to officially launch, consider hiring some employees that can take on the roles that you might be less experienced with.
For example, you might have a fantastic business idea, but that doesn’t automatically mean you’re great with financial analysis or marketing. Hiring individuals and delegating certain tasks to people who are experts in those areas can make a big difference in your success. For example, social media management is a full-time job. It requires much more than making a few Facebook posts a few times a week. If you want to boost your digital presence, consider hiring a social media manager to plan your posts, create a schedule, engage with your audience, and track and analyze key performance indicators to create better marketing campaigns in the future.
There will always be risks when it comes to starting your own business. Proper planning, preparation, and hard work can help to mitigate some of those risks, but nothing should be done at the expense of your own well-being. Keep these ideas in mind as you work to get your business started, and you’ll avoid burnout while actually being able to enjoy your personal and professional lives.
