There's a lot of pressure on business owners to do everything themselves. But when you're the one making most of the decisions, running the day-to-day operations, and managing all your employees, it can be incredibly overwhelming.
Overwhelm is usually the well trodden road to stress and burnout. And burnout is not just damaging to your business, it’s harmful to mental health and physical wellbeing (it’s all connected heh?).
So how can you stop yourself from being overwhelmed by the ever-growing tasks on your over-flowing plate?
I've got 5 top tips for small business owners who want help managing their time and energy better:
1. Prioritise self-care: As a business owner, it can be easy to put your work ahead of your own well-being. However, neglecting self-care can lead to burnout. To avoid this, prioritise self-care by setting aside time for exercise, getting enough sleep and doing more of the activities that help you to relax and recharge.
2. Learn to delegate: Many business owners feel like they have to do everything themselves. However, taking on too much can quickly lead to burnout. Instead, learn to delegate tasks to others, whether it's employees or contractors. This will help you lighten your workload and free up time for other important tasks.
3. Set boundaries: It's easy to feel like you need to be available all the time. However, this can quickly lead to burnout. To avoid this, set clear boundaries with clients, contractors and employees. For example, establish specific office hours or designate someone else to handle certain tasks when you're not available.
4. Take breaks: It's important to take regular breaks throughout the day, even if it's just for a few minutes. This will help you avoid burnout by giving your mind and body a chance to rest and recharge. Consider scheduling short breaks throughout the day to help you stay energised and focused.
5. Seek support: It can be easy to feel like you're in it alone. However, seeking support from others can help you avoid burnout. This could mean talking to a business coach (*ahem*), joining a professional association, or connecting with other business owners in your community. Having a support system in place can help you stay motivated, inspired, and focused!
I want to add to this article, that as well as being a marketing coach, I'm also a qualified yoga and meditation teacher - which means when I work with clients, I take a unique, holistic approach in my coaching - it's not just about numbers and £s in the bank, your mental health matters (more).