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The Mindful Entrepreneur: Tips on Starting and Running a Business By Avoiding Burnout

Startups and people trying to run their own business


If you're an entrepreneur, chances are you or someone you know is going to experience burnout at some point. If you can recognize burnout before it happens you can take steps to avoid any lasting damage, ride the wave, and come back stronger than ever. Here are some tips for recognizing and dealing with burnout in your business:


Why is burnout an issue for business owners?

Burnout is a serious issue. Not only can it lead to poor performance, it can also lead to poor health, poor relationships, and even lower productivity. It’s important for business owners to know how burnout affects them and what they can do about it.


Photo by Christian Erfurt on Unsplash


What to do when you're overwhelmed?


If you're finding yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a break. Your mind can only handle so much stress before it begins to shut down and make bad decisions. The best way to prevent this from happening is by taking care of yourself on a regular basis. This might mean scheduling some time into your calendar for self-care, or taking advantage of breaks in the middle of stressful days (like lunch).


It is possible to become so burnt out that you are unable to take care of yourself. So take care of yourself before becoming completely burned out and unable to do so. It's easy to let taking care of yourself slip when things are going well, or when we're busy—but don't forget about them!


Burnout doesn't happen overnight; it takes weeks or months for our bodies and minds to become overwhelmed. Prevention is key when trying to avoid burnout but also manage it successfully when it happens and recover without any lasting effects.


What to do when you feel like the work is never done?


Do you feel like your work will never end? You’re not alone. Burnout is an increasingly common problem in today’s business world, and one of the biggest reasons for it is that we don’t take enough time to think about how we want to spend our time.


It can be tempting to think that if you just keep working harder, everything will fall into place. But this kind of thinking is short-sighted, self-defeating, and it doesn't help you enjoy what you're doing right now either! The best thing you can do when feeling overwhelmed with work is take a break and reflect on why this project matters so much to you in the first place.


Try these tips:

  • Take a walk around the block or sit outside for five minutes . This will help reset your mind so that when you return from break, things seem less overwhelming than before

  • Talk with someone about what's going on. A friend or colleague who understands what it takes to run a business, or try Quoka if you want to talk anonymously with your peers

  • Do something fun like watch TV, read a book, cook, take a bath, or work out


How to become more efficient?


Photo by Avel Chuklanov on Unsplash

You can also use a to-do list, calendar and planner to help you stay on top of your tasks. The important thing is to have a system that’s easy for you to use and that fits with the way you work best. Here are some ideas:

  • A digital calendar like Google Calendar or Apple’s Calendar app on your phone or tablet

  • An app designed specifically for managing tasks, such as Todoist or Habitica (available on iOS, Android and web browsers)

  • A paper planner with daily pages where you write down what needs doing each day, along with space for notes. Or simply a pad of paper where each day has its own page - this gives more flexibility than using pre-printed weekly calendars

How to be kinder to yourself?

Being kinder to yourself is a great way to avoid burnout. You need time to regroup, recharge, and be grateful for everything you have. Here are some tips on how:

  • Find a quiet place where you can breathe in and out slowly with ease. Do this for five minutes every day.

  • Take time off from work when you’re exhausted or stressed out.

  • Spend more time with people who make you happy – whether that’s family members or friends who understand what it means to be an entrepreneur!

  • If possible, take a walk outside every day so that your body gets fresh air and sunlight; this boosts serotonin levels which will help alleviate depression/anxiety symptoms associated with burnout as well as improve sleep quality too!

Why is mindfulness important in a stressful industry?


Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It can help you achieve a better work-life balance by allowing you to let go of negative emotions that are holding you back from achieving your goals.

Mindfulness allows people to focus their attention on one thing at a time. This helps them become more productive because they aren’t distracted by other things in the office or out in their life.

Mindfulness also helps people become more aware of what is happening around them so they can respond appropriately instead of reacting immediately without thinking about it first.


How to improve your day-to-day mindset?

The first step to getting a handle on the day-to-day mindset is to understand what mindfulness actually is. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment. It's about being aware of your thoughts and feelings, without judging them as good or bad. When you're mindful, you're focused on what's happening right now—the sights and sounds around you, how it feels to sit in your chair or walk on the ground beneath your feet—without getting distracted by other thoughts that don't matter.


Practicing mindfulness can be done anywhere: while walking through a park (try counting each time one foot lands); while eating lunch (notice how different foods feel against your tongue); or during conversations with others (try focusing only on listening instead of planning what you will say next). In short: think less about doing stuff; try enjoying stuff more!


Photo by Hunters Race on Unsplash

Entrepreneurship is a journey, not a destination. You can learn the ins and outs of starting and running a business, but it will never be easy. Entrepreneurship takes hard work, dedication and passion. It takes resilience against failure and rejection; it takes creativity in solving problems and flexibility in changing course when things don't go according to plan (which they won't always!). And sometimes, it even means looking inside yourself for that extra bit of energy when you feel drained by the daily grind of running your own company - whether you're working from home or office space!


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