Starting your own company might have seemed like a good idea at the time, but hours accumulate, and the rings underneath your eyes show no sign of fading away. Solo entrepreneurs can struggle to stay productive, especially when the pandemic situation is affecting our mental health. You might find yourself losing focus and not knowing how to best structure your workday for success.

Burnout is an odd phenomenon that seems to suck all the creative energy away from you. As an entrepreneur, it is essential to recognize the signs of burnout before it’s too late. You can take preventive steps to encourage creativity, productivity, and a clear mind. However, everyone is different. So when you are running out of coping strategies, you need to think outside the box. How can you turn burnout into a strength? 

Identify your biggest burdens

What is causing you the most significant pain? According to bizjournals, entrepreneurs tend to struggle with seven common issues that can lead to burnout. When their position requires constant and extreme focus, many experience cognitive burnout, which makes it hard to identify priorities. It can be helpful to be disciplined and create a plan of action so you don’t try to follow multiple goals simultaneously. Additionally, finding the right talent for your company is a real challenge. When you don’t trust your team, you can’t rely on them to do the work. You want to hire the right people from the start; otherwise, you’re at risk of overworking yourself to compensate. The bottom line: Identify the real burdens that pave your way and focus your energy on removing these. 

Schedule mental health breaks

Entrepreneurs find it tough to take breaks without feeling guilty. Many business owners understand that frequent breaks are essential to reduce burnout risks. However, you can make your breaks more productive by turning them into a creative process. Indeed, the mind requires downtime to recharge its energy and make new connections. Breaks are never passive for your brain. That’s why the best ideas tend to happen in the shower or during your commuting time. When your mind isn’t focused on work, you are free to think and therefore create. It can be helpful not only to schedule your relaxing time but also to embrace the possibility to let go of mental stress regularly. 

Sell the business

There is a point when you need to ask yourself: What matters more, my sanity or my business? Entrepreneurs are the most vulnerable population to mental health crises, ranging from depression to suicidal thoughts. When burnout gets in the way, it can have a devastating influence on your mental and emotional well-being. A lot of solo entrepreneurs and small business owners have found their peace of mind again after selling their companies to trusted partners such as Thrasio. While it might seem extreme, in many ways, it can be a fantastic lesson of self-care. You should always place your health above your business’s. Therefore, when you can’t find any solution to reduce the burden, it could be safer to walk away while you still can. 

Burnout is not the kind of thing you want to hear about. However, burnout can be a positive new start in your career. Whether you choose to sell your existing business to unlock new capital or to welcome breaks rather than resent them, changing your perceptive on things can go a long way. 

Are you suffering from burnout? What have you tried to overcome it? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time,

Andrea

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