We’ve seen entrepreneur burnout firsthand—felt it, battled it, and supported others through it. It’s tough, but the good news? You don’t have to hit rock bottom to start making changes.
Here's your guide to recognizing and tackling burnout before it takes over.
Step 1: Spot the Triggers
Start by identifying what’s draining your energy. For us, triggers include:
- Jam-packed calendars: Back-to-back meetings with no breathing room.
- Never-ending to-do lists: Feeling like you’ll never catch up.
- Lack of sleep: Sleep fuels productivity—don’t skimp on it.
Track what makes you feel stressed or overwhelmed, and you’ll uncover patterns you can address.
Step 2: Recognize the Warning Signs
Your behaviors can be early indicators of burnout. For example:
- Craving junk food? You might be using it as a coping mechanism.
- Binging junk YouTube or playing endless video games? It’s likely a form of escape.
- Avoiding tasks that matter? Procrastination could be your brain’s way of saying, “I’m done.”
These habits don’t just happen—there’s usually a deeper reason. Pay attention.
Step 3: Create Your Personal Playbook
Prevent burnout by having a plan ready to go:
Help someone else: Supporting others can shift your mindset and re-energize you.
Purge your commitments: Ruthlessly evaluate your calendar and to-do list.
- What really matters?
- What can someone else handle?
Schedule a “me day”: Block out time for you. No work. No obligations. Just recharge.
Step 4: Build a Support System
You don’t have to do this alone. Surround yourself with:
- Like-minded entrepreneurs: People who “get it” and can share insights.
- Trusted mentors or coaches: An objective perspective can help you see solutions you might miss.
- Your inner circle: Choose people who truly support your goals, even if they don’t always understand them.
The Long Game - Running a business is a marathon, not a sprint.
You'll run out of steam if you’re always pushing at 110%. Take your time, use your energy wisely, and don’t hesitate to lean on others when you need help.