Signs That You’re Burning Out… You Just Don’t Know It
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Entrepreneurs are the most passionate and self-determined people on the planet. They care deeply about their businesses and their reputations are inextricably ties to their fortunes. Moreover, many entrepreneurs bootstrapped their enterprises from nothing and thus their businesses are an enormous source of personal and professional pride. While this sentiment is certainly noble, their dedication and passion can sometimes manifest in ways that become detrimental to the business and even their personal health. It’s all too easy for an entrepreneur to become a helicopter parent; tirelessly micromanaging every process within their enterprise, even when they have a robust and talented staff. Not only are their attentions so focused on the minutiae of their businesses that they’re unable to focus on the more strategic aspects of management, they can also compromise their managerial efficacy and even their health.
If this sounds worryingly familiar, keep an eye out for these signs that you may be burning out… You just don’t know it.
You’re exhausted, even when you’ve had plenty of sleep
Most entrepreneurs struggle to find the time for petty trivialities like eating and sleeping and spend their days lurching from one double espresso shot to the next. But if you find yourself waking up as exhausted as when you went to bed, despite getting 7-8 hours sleep, that could be a sign that your business is causing you real fatigue. If you plan on maintaining the same schedule in this state, then you’d better have life insurance because it’s only a matter of time until it starts to take a real toll on your health. Running on empty like this can seriously compromise your immune function and lead to serious illness. Find ways to switch off even if it’s just for an hour or two a day. Immerse yourself in a hobby or simply go to the movies.
You find yourself struggling to make simple decisions
Businesses need to stay agile to gain a competitive edge in the ultra-competitive marketplace of the late 2010s. This means that entrepreneurs need to make important decisions quickly and decisively as they adapt to changes in the industry and consumer demand. Unfortunately, when we’re physically and cognitively exhausted, it can really impede our ability to concentrate sufficiently to take this decisive action.
You’re no help to your business in this state! Drop everything and take an extended lunch break or better yet, re-organize your mind with some meditation strategies.
You get into way more arguments with your employees than you should
A little stress in the workplace can be a good thing. It keeps our minds alert and engages the fight or flight reflex that can result in clear-headed and decisive action. Too much of it, however, can get on top of us and turn us into someone we don’t want to be. It can lead to bursts of anger that result in vociferous arguments with your employees. This can not only compromise your operations, but it can also really sour the atmosphere of your workplace.
Take a step back and spend some time with family or friends before coming back to repair that working relationship.
