Why Do Business Owners Burnout?
As a neurodivergent female entrepreneur, I’m well acquainted with the ups and downs of building a business. From the small wins of gaining a new client to the bigger wins of meeting your financial goals, being a business owner can be one of the most rewarding paths.
But running a business can also be challenging. Maybe you lose a big client that hurts your bottom line; you exhaustingly try to juggle business and family at the same time; or you simply can't meet customer demands. There are an endless array of "downs" we've all experienced.
But, one in particular needs to be addressed above the others: burnout.
According to recent reports, 65% of people report feeling burnt out, and 72% actively recognize that it's negatively affecting their work. It turns out, burnout is a bummer for a lot of people!
As a Gallup-certified strengths and feminine leadership coach, I've seen firsthand how burnout can derail even the most promising businesses and professionals. If unaddressed, burnout can completely derail professional goals and stunt a business from growing at all.
But there's good news: it's totally avoidable when you know how to align your business with your true self. Let's explore how.
The Misalignment Trap and 5 Ways to Avoid It
Here's a truth bomb for you: burnout often strikes when we work on businesses that aren't aligned with our values and strengths. It's like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole—exhausting and frustrating.
You might be successful on paper, but if you're not feeling lit up and excited by your work, you're on a fast track to burnout city.
So, how do we avoid this trap? Let's break it down.
1. Understand Your Values
Your core values are your internal compass. When your business aligns with these values, work feels meaningful and energizing. But when there's a mismatch? That's when every task feels like pushing a boulder uphill.
Take some time to really dig deep and identify what matters most to you. Is it creativity? Freedom? Making a difference? Once you're clear on your values, you can start shaping your business to reflect them.
2. Get Clear on Your Strengths
There’s a reason I’m a Gallup-certified strengths coach; understanding your unique strengths isn't just a nice-to-have—it's essential for avoiding burnout. When I went through my own phase of unaligned-business-burnout, I began my own journey to understand my strengths and reframe the things that made me different as positives, not negatives. I intentionally leaned into all of the things that made me Different on Purpose and was finally able to see that building a business around my strengths was the only way for me to avoid burnout.
When you work in alignment with your natural talents, you'll find yourself in a state of flow more often than not.
3. Lean into Your Superpowers
Your superpowers are the unique combination of your values, strengths, experiences, and skills. When you lean into these superpowers, you're not just avoiding burnout—you're setting yourself up for unparalleled success and fulfillment.
4. Outsource the Other Stuff
Once you're clear on your superpowers, it becomes much easier to identify tasks that drain your energy. These are prime candidates for outsourcing. Remember, just because you can do something doesn't mean you should be the one doing it.
5. Don't Be Afraid to Pivot
Sometimes, preventing burnout means making bigger changes. If your business model isn't lighting you up, it might be time for a pivot. Yes, it can be scary to change direction, especially when you're already successful. But trust me, the renewed energy and passion you'll feel are totally worth it.
Trust me on this one; pivoting away from a burnout-inducing business model was the best thing I ever did for my business AND my mental health.
The Path Forward
Avoiding burnout isn't necessarily about working less... It's about working in alignment with your true self. When you operate from a place of authenticity, tapping into your unique strengths and values, work becomes energizing rather than draining.
Get Ready to Kiss Burnout Goodbye
If you're feeling the early signs of burnout or ready to realign your business with your true self, I'm here to help. It's time to get clarity on your strengths, values, and superpowers to build a business that succeeds and fulfills you on a deeper level.
Consider connecting with me for leadership coaching. Together, we'll dive deep into your YouVP™, identify your unique superpowers, and create strategies to leverage them in your business.
We'll also work on aligning your business model with your values and strengths, so you can say goodbye to burnout and hello to sustainable success.
Remember, you're Different on Purpose. Burnout doesn't stand a chance when you embrace that and build a business that reflects your true self. Let's create a business you love - one that energizes you every single day.
Ready to get started? Reach out today, and let's begin your journey to burnout-free entrepreneurship. Your future self (and your business) will thank you!