3 Ways to Burn Out

I sat with my friend by the pool, sipping Snickets.

(What’s a Snicket? A shot of vodka, a squeeze of lime, a sprig of fresh mint, topped off with seltzer).

We made jokes that this is how the millionaires live: cocktails poolside.

Nevermind that the pool is small, plastic, kiddie-sized.

And I pulled out a dead cricket (the pool boy hadn’t been around in awhile).

The dog ran around the yard, as dogs do.

A dove sat above us on a sunlit branch.

And there was this “thank you” moment.

Now, I don’t know who I was thanking.

I’m not especially curious about whether anyone heard my thanks.

But I said it. I felt it. And that was enough.

* * *

Three surefire ways to burn out in your business:

1. Do everything yourself. There’s a difference between being the boss and doing all the work. And I’m convinced that the type of person who’s good at starting and growing a business is not one who naturally looks for help. It’s a skill that smart business owners cultivate—and certainly one that I’ve had to learn. At a certain point, not delegating to other capable people is what will hold you back from growth. (So will not working with someone who knows how to build + grow an online business).

2. Book yourself solid. Okay, so some folks CAN keep going, day in and day out. But for many of us, NOT giving yourself rest—or spaciousness or activities that restore you on a soul level—is a one-way ticket to burn out. The first couple years of my business, I just “put my head down” and kept going. Many of my friends did, too. But the trick to sustainably keeping on—and keeping pace—is not scheduling every minute of every day. Saying “no” to extraneous projects and invitations creates room to breathe, digest, and be.

3. Don’t celebrate. You’ve got goals. And your goals have goals. You’re an ambitious son-of-a-gun who’s sights are set on knocking it out of the park. Which is cool—we love this about you. But as my social worker friend Annie likes to say, “celebrate all progress.” Being driven is good, but being kind to yourself as you learn and move forward (or back, or sideways) is better. It’s a work in progress, after all. Might as well enjoy the ride.

Apollinaire wrote: “Now and then it’s good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.” May that pause be simple and within reach for you on a daily basis.

I’m currently running my business from Montana for the month, so I can hang out with good friends and reboot my joie de vivre.

Mighty thanks to Jess J flickr photostream for the laughter.