Hey, You:
Have you ever gotten to the point where you're just completely tired of "doing" your own business? Where you're unenthused about anything that's going on? This is the place where you feel "over it" about the entire idea of running things, and you're too uninspired to push through it. It's the place where it feels impossible to complete even one more keystroke at your workstation laptop...
Well, to be honest with you, I know how all of that feels all too well. You see, I'm feeling like "the spark" has burned out to one cold point of ashes these days myself.
It's certainly not the first time that I have experienced this emotion. I have been tempted to give up and run away from my business a couple of times before now. I've wanted to throw away all of my years of hard work dedicated to developing what is now Cheniece Patrick OBM.
It's such a disheartening thing to feel the shame brought on by acknowledging this. And it's certainly not something that any of us want to have to admit to anyone or share. (It's difficult for me to even write this email to you right now.) So, what to do about it now? How do we approach this all too real and common hurdle of falling out of love with the business that we've built while feeling burnout?
Firstly, I want you to know that there is hope. You can overcome burnout and reignite your passion for your business.
The first step in overcoming the burnout you feel is to recognize its signs. Are you feeling physically and emotionally drained? Do you feel fatigue? Are you losing interest in performing the tasks that excited you at one time? Pay attention to these signals and acknowledge that it's okay to feel this way (unless you find yourself slipping into depression, for which you should ask for help). Burnout is certainly common, especially for busy Mom entrepreneurs who often juggle multiple roles personally and professionally.
Next, you'll want to give yourself some grace, please. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to do it all. But it's essential to give yourself grace and acknowledge that you're a human before you're anything else, including a Mom. It's okay to take some breaks throughout the day, to delegate tasks to others who are capable of sharing those responsibilities with you, and to ask for help when you need it. Remember, self-care isn't selfish—it's necessary for your well-being. Trust me. You don't want to find this out the hard way.
Now, take some time to reflect on why you got started with your business in the first place. What inspired your business formation? What are your long-term goals? Reconnecting with your Why can help reignite your passion and remind you of the impact you want to make through your business.
And everything isn't all bad all of the time... Admit to yourself that there were parts of running your business that you actually enjoyed at one time, and then find ways to increase those parts. Whether this looks like brainstorming new ideas for offerings, working on a passion project of yours, or engaging with your community, you can find ways to reignite the creativity and enthusiasm that you used to feel. This will create passion in you, and when you're passionate about your business, others can sense this and they will be as well.
Burnout can sometimes occur when we're overwhelmed with too many tasks and responsibilities, which is an easy place to end up in as a Mom and entrepreneur. You should take a step back and take some time to re-evaluate your priorities in your business. What tasks can you delegate or outsource to someone capable? Are there any projects or commitments that you discover no longer align with your goals? You can eliminate those completely. Simplifying your workload can help alleviate stress and prevent burnout.
Don't be afraid to reach out for support during your challenging times, if you require it. One of the worst things you can do is to ignore this. Whether it's talking to a business mentor, joining a new mastermind group for the community and accountability inside of it, or even seeking some counseling, having a support system can provide invaluable guidance and encouragement.
Finally, prioritize your rest and relaxation as an entrepreneur. Make the effort to schedule time blocks dedicated to rest breaks throughout your day (working or not), take time off when needed, and engage in those activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul. Without the proper rest, your creativity and productivity will suffer unnecessarily.
Experiencing burnout and feeling disenchanted with your business is not a sign of weakness—it's a sign that something could be off, such as you pushing yourself too hard. But by recognizing the signs and taking the appropriate steps, you can reverse your burnout and fall back in love with your business.
Self-Development Exercises
Instead of a few journaling prompts this time, I'd like to suggest a few different self-development exercises for you to try out for their obvious benefits. These exercises will assist in building your resilience and encouraging a general wellbeing that will help fight burnout and reignite your passion:
Mindfulness Meditation
Journaling
Goal Setting
Self-Reflection Exercises
Self-Care Practices
Learning and Skill Development
Gratitude Practice
Networking and Community Engagement
Talk again soon!
Oh yes I can understand the burnout when it comes to your business. I have been there many times and the best thing you can also do is take a bit of time off when you can. That’s why I always go away in late May to recalibrate and I never leave town during the Christmas holiday but each week between Christmas and New Year’s I take time off to do some heavy cleaning.