Don't you love the feeling of being really motivated to grow your small business and get that to-do list done? So much so that you work work work until finally you look up and it's 8 pm?
Or maybe you used to have that feeling and now it's gone...?
One of the benefits of being self-employed is the ability to create your own success. You get to decide how much you make, how many hours you work, and ultimately how successful your business is.
However, it can be easy for entrepreneurs and CEOs to work SO hard that they burn out. They start feeling less motivated, less energized, and all of the sudden the to-do feels overwhelming instead of empowering.
I've felt this lately. I always heard other entrepreneurs talking about setting boundaries and not overworking yourself, but I never really listened. I was still in the excessively motived and empowered mode, hashing through my client work and growing my business. Over the last couple of months, I've noticed myself working slower at times and not getting as excited about my work as I was before. I finally put two and two together and realized it was because I hadn't set any boundaries for myself and just kept working harder and longer hours until it became too much.
Pushing yourself to do well and do a lot is an amazing thing, but it can also lead to burnout and overwhelm if you aren't careful. To continue with your motivated attitude and avoid the negative effects, be sure to not overwork yourself. Schedule in breaks and movement throughout your day. I like to start my day with coffee and quiet, take a lunch break, and do a quick yoga session during my work day. This helps me refocus and reenergize, which allows me to work longer hours if necessary. I don't like to recommend a "hard quitting time" because part of being a business owner is having the flexibility to work when you want, but if that would help you, go for it! Also, I choose not to work weekends, so those couple of days are saved for fun and relaxation before Monday hits again! I'm convinced that's one of the reasons I have started to love Mondays. That and having a career that I absolutely love.
Don't forget about the "play hard" part of "work hard play hard". If you feel like you've lost your energy for work, it may be time to rethink your schedule or start outsourcing. If you'd like to chat about this, contact me!