Written by: Janifer Wheeler, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Burnout is a hot topic these days. Seems like all of us are overwhelmed, overloaded and wishing we were OVERJOYED.
You know what they say:
If you’d like more than a bunch of burnt wicks in your business, keep reading. Not only have we included a brief overview of what burnout is, who it impacts, and why, but also 10 tips for avoiding burnout using JOYFull Productivity!
Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped and overworked with no end in sight.
Burnout is often the result of excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. I compare it to feeling like a dried-up, wrung-out washcloth or an empty gas tank. There’s just nothing left to help you stay motivated, focused, or healthy.
Burnout creeps in when you're overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to keep up with life's incessant demands.
The World Health Organization now refers to burnout as “ a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”
Who gets Burned Out?
It can impact anyone, in any profession but entrepreneurs, coaches, consultants, and other small business owners are at a much higher risk.
Let’s face it … as a business owner, EVERYTHING and EVERYONE in your biz relies on you so it’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the tasks and actions needed to run smoothly and effectively.
Why Does Burnout Happen?
Basically, burnout is caused by your relationship with work. Unfortunately, our society loves the hustle and grind mentality that makes you think you must work constantly if you want success. We've glamorized overworking like it’s a badge of honor.
Toxic productivity is also a pervasive component of burnout. Thinking that you must be busy every moment of the day… that taking breaks, vacations, or days off is BLASPHEMY!
If you really want to burnout proof your life and biz, it’s time for a totally new approach.
Burnout Proof your Life and Biz with JOYFull Productivity
The best way to Burnout Proof your business is to change your mindset and relationship with work. The following tips will help you see your tasks and actions in a healthier way.
Embrace Growth Mindset: I share this first because it is really the foundation for everything. Growth mindset encourages you to believe in yourself, take risks, learn and apply new information and see failure as an opportunity to keep growing. Seeing yourself as a constantly evolving person rather than someone who is STUCK will help you be more successful when trying new approaches.
Find Your Joyfull Zone Of Genius: think about all the things you do in and for your biz each day. What lights you up the most? What earns you the highest income and feeling of accomplishment? THIS sweet spot is your JOYFull Zone of Genius.
Work In It More Than You Don’t: once you figure out your JOYFull Zone of Genius, try to focus on those tasks and actions as much as you can. Intentionally spend time here and...
Delegate Shit You Hate: much of the stuff outside of your JOYFull Zone of Genius can be delegated. Creating a delegation plan takes time, but once you take an inventory of EVERYTHING you are doing, it makes it easier to hand things off to an assistant, freelancer or direct hire.
Redesign Things That Only You Can Do So You Have More Joy: even when you know your JOYFull Zone of Genius, there will still be tasks and actions that demand your attention but don’t have much joy for you. How are you preparing your mind and workspace to take on this task? Are you rewarding yourself once this task is complete?
Document Processes: this is basically writing down all the needed steps to accomplish a particular task or procedure in your biz. Not only is documentation crucial if you want to scale your business, it’s also necessary if you want to step away and let others take more responsibility. Documentation provides clarity and consistency.
Digitize Where You Can: when processes are clearly documented, it is easier to add automation and create more flow and efficiency. For example, if you don’t have a clearly outlined process for Customer Onboarding, you can’t automate an email series that will save you time and money.
Reevaluate Your Mindset Around Work and Busyness: you may have heard the 700-year-old phrase, “Idle hands are the Devil’s workshop.” which, if you think about it, has contributed to this whole idea that you MUST be busy every moment of the day. It’s OK to slow down on busy and add rest. Relaxation. Time with friends and family. Reading books. Taking Walks. Being overjoyed rather than overwhelmed.
Implement Boundaries: wow. This one can be really hard but is critical if you want to burnout proof your business. Give yourself permission to protect your time and energy. When you take time for self-care, stick to it - no answering emails or taking calls. That’s what boundaries are for - they allow you to do what is best for you and benefit from it.
Use Joy To Make Decisions: knowing your JOY is a great business tool. It helps you make informed decisions and protect your boundaries. If it’s not JOYFull, then why do it? If it’s not JOYFull, then why engage? JOY is also a great antidote to “shoulding all over yourself”. So often, you do things because you “should” rather than because it brings you JOY or is aligned with your goals. Next time you are faced with a decision, ask yourself: “Will I be overwhelmed or overjoyed by doing this?”
I firmly believe that you can implement any and all of these steps and strategies on your own.
However, I also know that mindset shifts and new ways of thinking can be challenging and may require support.
If you want to Burnout Out Proof your Business with JOYFull Productivity, but aren’t sure how check out the FREE courses from the JOYFully BadAss Business Academy™. This digital, online learning platform provides the tools you need in a microlearning format so you can easily and quickly go from OVERWHELMED to OVERJOYED.
Janifer Wheeler, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Janifer Wheeler is a former teacher turned entrepreneur. She’s spent over 25 years helping schools & small businesses get their shift together through process design, internal structure, education, and workplace culture.
She started The JOYFull BadAss Business Academy™, to help other BadAss female biz owners win the burnout battle using JOY as a business strategy. Her work-at-your own pace courses are delivered via MicroText making it easier to integrate into your daily routine.
Her clients have gotten trapped by their own brilliance and believe the hype that you must hustle & grind or you will never be successful. No one at the JFBBA believes that BS. If it’s not JOYFull, they aren’t doing it.
As an advocate for JOYFull alignment, she facilitates a process that ensures you are working in your JoyFull Zone of Genius more than you aren’t. And for the rest of the shift that needs to be done, hand it over to staff or an assistant.
It sounds scary - giving other people control, but the JOYFull BadAss has your back. She will help you create the process, structure, and workplace culture you need to effectively and efficiently build a team that will help you avoid business owner burnout and realize the goals & dreams you set for yourself.
Janifer is an award-winning, international speaker and facilitator who can infuse your organization, conference, workshop, or event with joy and BadAssery.
She enjoys connecting people through her global networks that include Netwomen.co, Mums at Work, Amazing Women Alliance, The JOYFull Badass Network, Polka Dot Powerhouse, Brainz Magazine, FEM, and Entrepreneurs Rocket Fuel. There’s no limit to what can be done when we lift each other up.
Want to know more about the signs, symptoms & solutions for burnout? Take our FREE, 7-day course “Win the Burnout Battle by Living above the JOY Line”.
