You’ve always been called a go-getter. You can survive on four hours of sleep a night, your phone is always in your hand answering emails or setting up another meeting, and you’re never satisfied with complacency.
Even if those characteristics might be a bit exaggerated, chances are you know what kind of person you are when it comes to moving your business forward. If you’ve been called a “workaholic” before, or if you’ve ever felt like your business is taking over your life, you could be putting yourself at risk of getting burned out.
Having a stable work-life balance is crucial, whether you work for someone else or run your own business. It can seem harder when you’re working for yourself or you’re in charge of a company since you might feel like you have to keep things running smoothly. But, finding that balance is better for your health, better for your focus, and will help you to find some time to breathe and relax, so you can return to work more energized and motivated.
So, what can you do to find a better work-life balance and avoid burning yourself out?
1. Ask for Help
When you run a business, it’s easy to feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. But, you don’t have to do everything alone. Some of the signs of burnout include a loss of motivation, fatigue, and isolation. If you start to notice either emotional, mental, or physical changes within yourself, it’s time to ask a co-worker, partner, or someone else from your company to step up and help out.
Since you’re in charge, you can delegate tasks to other people. Yes, it can be hard to let go of things you’re used to doing. But, if you run yourself down because your to-do list is constantly overflowing, you’re not going to be able to do those tasks effectively anymore, anyway.
Your business is undoubtedly full of qualified people for some of those tasks. Think about who could step up to the plate for you, and how it would benefit them, you, and the growth of your business.
2. Understand You Can’t Control Everything
When you have a “success mindset,” it’s hard to accept that not everything is in your control. But, that’s the reality of the situation. When you continuously focus on things that are out of your control, you add more stress to your life.
Instead, focus on what is under your control and put your efforts toward making those things the best they can be. Let go of the things that you can’t change. Be mindful in each moment when it comes to what’s in front of you, instead of worrying about the “what ifs” of the future, or stressing over something that may have happened last week. Those things are out of your control, and you’ll have to handle them as they come – when they come.
If you’re not exactly sure how to get rid of those thoughts of worrying about things you can’t control, you might benefit from meditation or deep breathing exercises. Meditation tends to get a lot of stereotypes attached to it, but it’s nothing more than focusing on the present for a few minutes at a time. It allows you to let thoughts come and go freely, and it only takes minutes a day. When you start your day that way, you might find you have an easier time not thinking about things out of your control.
3. Set Your Own Boundaries
For someone who works all of the time, it can be hard to actually sit down and set boundaries for yourself. But, when you commit yourself to it, you’re giving yourself a better chance at avoiding burnout.
It’s important to set boundaries in all areas of your life, but especially at work. Without setting boundaries, overextending yourself can quickly be something that happens regularly. Have a cut-off time each day that you quit working, and stick to that specific boundary. You might be surprised at how quickly other areas of your life, including your mental and physical health, start to improve when you limit yourself to certain working hours.
It can help to have someone hold you accountable for your boundaries. Write them down. Make them something tangible. Then, give them to someone you trust, like your spouse or a close friend. Give them the responsibility of making sure you stick to your commitments until they become habits in your life.
4. Take Care of Yourself
This might seem pretty self-explanatory, but it’s imperative that you take care of yourself, inside and out. That starts with getting enough sleep.
The average American already doesn’t get enough rest, with 40% of people getting less sleep than what’s recommended. A lack of sleep can cause things like:
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Weight gain
Not surprisingly, not getting enough sleep also heavily impacts your focus and concentration. When you can’t focus, you’re more likely to make mistakes at work. Additionally, it’s likely that your productivity levels will go down. So, instead of reaching for that extra cup of coffee in the morning, make a commitment to get more sleep, even if that means developing a new nighttime routine that puts you in bed at the same time each night.
In addition to getting enough sleep, eating right and exercising are necessary to maintain your overall health. Your diet can have a big impact on your focus and energy levels, and exercise is great for boosting energy, reducing stress, and improving your mood. If you feel sluggish or even depressed throughout the day, changing your diet and exercise habits can make a difference.
5. Take a Break
When was the last time you took a vacation? Some workaholics might shudder at the word, but there are actually some notable health benefits associated with taking a break from work and finding time to relax.
People who regularly plan trips away from work tend to be less stressed and have better overall health. You’ll also improve your familial relationships when you go on a trip with the people you love. It can be a good reminder of what’s really important, and what you’re working for.
Don’t fall victim to thinking you have to go on some big elaborate vacation. Something as simple as a long weekend away at a bed & breakfast can help to recharge your batteries. But, you should opt to try something different and something that challenges you now and then.
For example, if you’ve never been diving in the ocean, why not give it a try? It’s an experience of a lifetime, and with technology like wearable dive computers, it’s safer than ever. Have you ever thought about skydiving? Parasailing? Hiking a famous trail? You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie, but pushing yourself out of your comfort zone while you’re on a trip can really help you to break free of your everyday routine and give you something to focus all of your attention on – so you’re not thinking about work!
The Importance of a Better Balance
By trying to find a better work-life balance, you’re really taking your overall health and wellbeing in a better direction. When you run a business, working around the clock might seem normal. But, if you burn yourself out, your business is more likely to suffer.
Take these tips into consideration if you’re starting to feel like work has taken over your life. When you make your physical, mental, and emotional health a priority, you’ll find that you can be more inspired and more motivated to help your business grow.
- This post has been written by an outside source – See Disclosure Policy
