Feel like you’re drowning in your business? Break the burnout cycle.

Have you ever felt like a duck in water, looking relaxed on the surface while paddling furiously beneath just to stay afloat? I know I have. And recently, a client of mine - a founder of a seven-figure business - found himself in a similar situation.

While his business was thriving on the surface, he was on the brink of burning out. He felt like he was drowning each day, struggling to keep his head above water. The primary challenge? His business lacked the necessary systems for sustainable growth, making him feel like he was constantly running but not getting anywhere.

Here are three key strategies we implemented to overcome business burnout, which I hope will help you avoid similar pitfalls as you scale your own business.

#1. Develop a Structure and Routine

One significant change was establishing a wind-down routine. While most entrepreneurs focus on their morning routines, the key to sustainable success is?your evening routine. Good night habits set you up for the following day's success, helping you avoid burning the candle at both ends.

For example this one change is so simple but makes a huge impact: He put his phone charger at the other end of the room instead of next to his bed so he wouldn't watch videos before he slept or snooze his alarm in the morning.?

This is one example of a really simple way to help you stay on track vs falling back into negative habits.

Here’s a quick example of my wind-down routine from last year

#2. Establish Non-Negotiables

Non Negotiables are things you must do every day to set yourself up for success. Here we want to make a paradigm shift - working your business around your non-negotiables, rather than trying to squeeze these vital activities around your work.

This approach ensures you're always performing at a high level, rather than gradually slipping into burnout. We scheduled regular exercise, breaks, and even free evenings to ensure a more balanced lifestyle.

#3. Understand Safe vs. Business Growth Challenges

Often, entrepreneurs stay within their comfort zones, leading to stagnation. My client found comfort in developing his crypto-trading software, yet he was neglecting essential aspects such as investor outreach.

We implemented a system that allowed him to sustainably focus on raising funds, shifting from safe challenges to business growth challenges that would impact his business positively in the long term.

I personally experienced burnout after six relentless weeks working in Silicon Valley. It was a wake-up call for me to break the overwork-burnout cycle. It's important not just for our businesses, but for our mental health as well.

For a deeper dive into this topic, check out my article on 'Why Business Perfectionism is So Common for Tech Entrepreneurs' .?

Remember, we must make sure we're enjoying our journey, not just appearing calm on the surface while struggling beneath. Wishing you a balanced and fulfilling entrepreneurial journey.

Warmly

Ben Ivey