Russ Dalbey's Blog

Starting your own business is a lot of things: it’s fulfilling, empowering, and thrilling. There is very little in this world that is more gratifying than creating something from the ground up, making it succeed, and knowing that YOU did it.

But when you become an entrepreneur, you have to go into it knowing a few things: it might not always be easy, it could present a different set of work challenges, and achieving success will take a sincere commitment.

And, it’s the truth that the stress of starting and managing your own business is what often forces many people to burn out and throw in the towel. 

I don’t mean to sound negative, but it’s just the plain truth.

Burn out is a formidable mental “monster” that many entrepreneurs have to slay. Put it this way… if you burn out while working for someone else, you can simply quit and find a new job. As an employee, the burden of the business’ success – and its future – is not on your shoulders. As an entrepreneur, you have put time, effort, heart, and money into your own business. If you give up on your solo venture, it might mean walking away from something that YOU are fully invested in on all levels. And you might be giving up on a dream to boot.

Watch for the warning signs of burn out. They can be different for everyone, but typically include feelings of dread when you wake up in the morning and go to work, lack of motivation, or feeling distracted.

Here are a few tips to help beat burn out:

·        Educate yourself as well as you can. And I don’t just mean about your note business or your specific industry. If you haven’t been an entrepreneur before, you also need to learn the nuts and bolts of running a business… how to market yourself, manage money, interact with customers, etc. Consider taking a business class at a community college, or enroll in an industry-specific training course.

·        Be adaptable. Know that your business plan is likely to change over time. As you learn new things, that fresh information will impact how you do things in ways you may not have antipicated. If you are inflexible, you’ll quickly feel like you’re banging your head against a wall.

·        Keep your eye on the prize. Sometimes, especially early on, you might feel that your days are spent in the minutiae of starting up a business. When your immediate tasks seem tedious or unsatisfying, you can burn out. To prevent yourself from getting “bummed out” before you get to where you’re going, I recommend giving yourself daily pep talks, or posting “dream” cards around your home office that literally or figuratively illustrate and remind you of what you’re working for. 

·        Find a coach or mentor. Pent-up frustration is a huge source of burn out. It’s vitally important to have someone to talk to; a mentor, a friend, an associate. Someone who you can vent to, ask advice of, and get feedback about your ideas is an invaluable resource.

I often find that after I’ve voiced my frustrations, I feel better and that my enthusiasm and drive are renewed. A coach or a mentor may also have the experience to help you solve problems and find solutions. You might find your perfect mentor at a networking group or by joining your local Chamber of Commerce.

·        Don’t let work become your life. As dedicated as you are, you must put equal emphasis on taking care of yourself and your health, both mentally and physically. No matter how committed you are to success, you also need time to regularly clear your head, touch base with friends and family, and exercise…whatever you need to do to stay balanced and energized.

·        Attitude is everything! Keeping a positive, optimistic outlook is the life force of a successful business venture. It’s not always easy, I’ll admit, but a winner’s attitude – a champion’s drive to succeed – is what will pull you through tough times.

There will always be those days when you feel tired and times when your continued efforts don’t seem worth your while. Those feelings are normal and to be expected.

While becoming frustrated with your work can be paralyzing, the good news is that it doesn’t have to bring to bring you to your knees. Beat burn out by recognizing the warning signs and by taking immediate action to put out the fire.

Warmly,
Russ

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business
Dalbey Education Institute

Founder of Winning in the Cash Flow Business