How to Actually Avoid Burnout in Your Creative Business
Updated: Aug 2, 2022
I talk a lot about how my entrepreneurial journey started with a heaping dose of corporate burnout. Because of that, it's been a mission of mine to help other business owners avoid burnout in your business.
It's no secret that running a service-based business can be incredibly taxing both mentally and emotionally. In fact, it's not uncommon for entrepreneurs in this situation to experience burnout.
Burnout is characterized by physical and emotional exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of incompetence.
My mission is not only to help you avoid burnout in your business but to help you actually fall in love with your business again.
If you’re having those sleepless nights, anxious mornings and endless workdays, I’m here to say… I’VE BEEN THERE! So let's talk about my favorite ways to actually avoid burnout in your creative business.
Make Time for Fun in Your Business
One of the best ways to avoid burnout in your business is to make time for fun! When you're running a business, it's easy to get wrapped up in the day-to-day tasks and forget to take time for yourself.
I'm not saying you should party all the time or neglect your work, but you should definitely make time for activities that bring you joy outside of work.
This could be anything from reading, going on walks, taking a yoga class or grabbing drinks with friends. Whatever brings you joy, make sure to schedule it into your week so you have something to look forward to.
Take time off when you need it, plan for random days off for adventuring, and block out long weekends when you need the extra time to play.
It doesn't mean you have to take a vacation every time you feel stressed (there are certainly times as a business owner when you'll have to push through), but it does mean planning for fun and making room for a bit of spontaneity in your life and business.
You want a life that your business fits into, not a business you have to try and fit your life around.
Know Your Values
Knowing your values is key to avoiding burnout in your business. When you know your values, it's easier to make decisions that align with those values and avoid decision fatigue.
If you don't know what your values are, sit down and take some time to think about what's important to you (or search for values exercises online). Once you have a list of values, ask yourself if your business aligns with those values.
For example, if one of your values is freedom, ask yourself, "Does my business give me the freedom to work when and where I want?" If the answer is no, how can you realign your business so that it fits with your values?
There will be times when things come up in your business that don't fit with your values. In those cases, it's important to be able to say no so you can avoid burnout.
For example, if you're approached with an opportunity that doesn't fit with your values, say no and don't feel guilty about it. It's not worth sacrificing your values for the sake of business.
Not all money is good money. Not all business is good business.
Create Intentional Boundaries (and Stick to Them!)
Create intentional boundaries that are aligned with your values, give you room for the fun in business we've been talking about, and make space for you to focus on your work.
Part of creating these intentional boundaries is learning to say no. This is something I struggled with for a long time, and I think that's pretty common with service-based entrepreneurs.
We want to be able to help everyone... even to our own detriment at times!
I've learned to delegate and outsource tasks that don't need my personal attention or that someone else can do just as well (if not better!) than I. I wrote a whole article on the tools no business owner should live without and highly recommend checking that out.
Creating boundaries also means setting limits on how much work you're willing to take on and knowing when to pass on an opportunity.
If you find yourself constantly saying yes to things even though you're already stretched thin, it's time to start setting (and sticking to) some boundaries.
The bottom line is this: avoid burnout in business by making time for fun, knowing your values, and setting intentional boundaries that you can actually stick to.
P.S. Want more resources on how to avoid or overcome burnout? I highly recommend these books:
Overcoming Burnout by David Greenwood (You'll notice an interview with yours truly in there!)