10 Things You Can Do To Prevent Burnout
Ruqayyah Valencia-Dacosta
Helping Founders and Solopreneurs Build Personal Brands That Can’t be Ignored | Founder of Qaya Network | Personal Branding & Business Coach | Public Speaker | ICF Certified Coach
In this article I’ll be covering the preventative measures you can use to prevent burnout, reclaim balance and restore your well-being.
Burnout can feel like a ton of bricks when it hits you, especially as a busy businesswoman.
Many make the mistake of missing the warning signs.
In fact I was one of those people.
Back in 2018, I was a Nurse working on a busy hospital ward.
I knew I was stressed.
I was placing extreme pressure on myself but, I thought I’d be okay.
Even when my eating and sleeping habits became disrupted I ignored the signs and continued to tell myself I’d be okay.
Until my body reached breaking point.
On Tuesday the 18th October, I was hospitalised. (I’ll never forget it)
Since then, I’ve been on a mission to spread awareness and avoid others from falling into the trap.
In this article, I’ll unveil 10 things you can do to prevent burnout as a business owner.
10 Essential tips to prevent burnout
Self-care is not selfish.
It is an essential component of preventing burnout.
Set a day in the week that allows you to slow down and recharge for a few hours. Sunday is my day to indulge in self care activities, reflect and energise for the upcoming week.
I recommend doing an activity for your physical wellbeing, an activity for your mental wellbeing and an activity for your emotional wellbeing.
Heres 3 things you can track daily to monitor your self-care habits:
2. Set Clear Boundaries
It's time to say "no".
Boundaries are a non-negotiable.
You need them to protect your time, energy, and overall well-being.
It’s incredibly important to learn how communicate your limits effectively, both with yourself and others.
Having no boundaries between work and personal life is a one-way ticket straight to ‘Destination Burnout’.
Heres 3 examples of things you can do to set clear boundaries:
3. Practice mindfulness and stress relief
Find inner calm amidst the chaos.
Mindfulness exercises are a great way to release stress and combat burnout. They help you appreciate the present moment by quietening the mental noise and stabilising your nervous system.
Instead of thinking about the next business goal that you need to achieve, take moment to applaud yourself for how far you have already come.
Heres 3 examples of mindfulness exercises:
4. Delegate and Seek Support:
Learn the art of delegation.
Focus on lightening your workload.
You can’t do everything in your business, it defeats the purpose of having a business.
Figure out what’s most important and delegate where you can. This will free up time to focus on enjoying the fruits of your labour.
Creating a strong support network will also help to take the pressure of you and prevent you from having to micro-manage.
Heres 3 things you can do to seek support:
5. Take Regular Breaks
Breaks are not a luxury they are a necessity.
Taking regular breaks throughout your workday are necessary to recharge and rejuvenate.
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Listen to your body and take breaks when you start to feel fatigued or overwhelmed.
Prioritising breaks will ultimately enhance your productivity, well-being, and overall satisfaction with your work. Identify what works best for you and consistently incorporate breaks into your routine.
Heres 3 ideas you can practice:
6. Create new hobbies and nurture your personal interests
You need a life outside of work.
Think about activities that bring you fulfilment and joy. These activities should rejuvenate your spirit and provide a much-needed escape from work-related stress.
Rediscover what makes you light up inside.
How amazing would it be if you could incorporate your true passions into your routine? This is what I help my clients with.
Mandy went from running her business to make ends meet, to building a multi-6 figure business providing a range of services to pet parents as animals were her true passion.
Heres 3 things that can help you pursue new hobbies:
7. Build meaningful connections
Surround yourself with positivity.
Nurture your relationships with the people that matter to you, personally and professionally. Create a solid support system that can uplift you through the good days and the bad.
There will be some pretty tough days but, with a good team by your side you’ll make it through.
Heres 3 ways you can build meaningful connections:
8. Streamline and Simplify
Stop committing to more than you can handle.
Being efficient is the key to preventing burnout. Focus on streamlining your work processes and let go of non-essential commitments.
Regularly review your tasks and organise based on priority. It’s always a good idea to declutter your workspace and emails every few months.
Try using a prioritisation tool to track your non-negotiable tasks. I recommend the Eisenhower priority matrix.
Heres 3 things you can do to streamline your business:
9. Stay active
You gotta move that body girl!
Exercise is a fantastic way to boost your energy levels. It’s one of the best ways to reduce stress and improve your overall mood.
It doesn’t have to be a long workout but it should get your pulse racing.
Find an accountability partner, use a fitness tracking app or a fitness device to monitor your activity levels and set challenges for yourself.
A steps challenge is a great place to start if you are new to working out. The recommended steps goal is 10k per day.
Heres 3 things you can do to stay active:
10. Reflect and regularly assess your stress levels
Preventing burnout is an on-going process. Especially as a business owner.
A sustainable routine that prioritises your wellbeing will help you balance your personal life and business. Regularly assess your strategies, progress, and well-being and course correct as needed.
Monthly reflections on your journey will help identify what works well and what doesn’t. If there are things causing your stress levels to rise, make necessary adjustments as soon as possible.
If you find this article helpful please drop a comment with your feedback.
If you’d like personalised support you can book a power-hour session.
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That’s all from me, until next time.
Take care of yourself, find joy in the present moment, and remember burnout prevention is an ongoing process that requires daily work.
Founder of A New Paige | Empowerment Coach and Mentor | Helping you build healthy self-esteem and reclaim your confidence.
1 年This is a very well written article! I love that you’ve given helpful and practical tips!
?? Virtual Assistant | I help CEO's simplify day-to-day operations, optimize workflows, and free up time for strategic growth.??Podcast editor- editing, audiograms, broadcasting, social media management.
1 年This article was so good and each with 3 helpful tips were spot on! Thank you. And I for one can't wait to sign up for the Qaya Wellness Support group. Nice name by the way. Wonder its origin?