Talking about burnout as an entrepreneur is something of a taboo. After all, you are supposed to be always on, endlessly energetic, and dynamic. But entrepreneurs are as vulnerable as anyone, and it might be even more important for them to prevent it since if they are out of commission, their business can't run itself. You need to know both how to identify signs of burnout and what to do if it happens.
Have a Plan
First, you should have a plan in case you do need to take some time off. Even if you don't suffer from burnout, you could get sick or injured or be unable to meet obligations for some other reason, such as a family emergency. You want to make sure you have a healthy amount of savings and look at your other assets to see what you might be able to tap into if you had to. If you have a term life insurance policy, you might not realize that it may have some value. It might be possible to sell it as part of a viatical settlement or life settlement, and this could provide you with the financial security that you need to get through a tough period.
Knowing the Signs
Everyone runs out of energy sometimes, and that doesn't necessarily mean that you are burned out. You may just need to catch up on some sleep. When you're trying to pay attention to the signs and decide what they mean, one thing you should pay attention to is how long it has been going on. Especially if you are transitioning from employee to entrepreneur, you might just need time to adjust to this new schedule. One of the characteristics of burnout is that it is ongoing and doesn't seem to get better even when you try to get a little more rest. It is also important to understand that burnout is not just about exhaustion although that is certainly one element of it. There is an emotional aspect as well. You may be irritable, struggle with motivation, and feel as though nothing that you do is good enough.
Prevention
It's better to prevent burnout than to try to recover from it, so you should stay attuned to your physical and emotional state and take action sooner rather than later. If you are starting to feel stretched too thin, it's okay to start saying no to things, and you should prioritize getting enough sleep even if you have a lot of work to do. When you find yourself getting short-tempered or struggling to problem solve, schedule some time off.
Recovery
If you do need to recover, the first thing you'll require is time. You got into this situation in part because you didn't give yourself enough time to function, and there's no shortcut to getting out of it. Some people end up moving into another line of work entirely, but if you are still enthusiastic about your career underneath it all, there are things you can do to rebuild your strength. Work on identifying what your particular stressors are. Consider seeing a life coach or counselor. Build in time for exercise, and make sleep non-negotiable. Do something fun that you genuinely enjoy that has nothing to do with work.
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