Dealing with Founder Burnout During the Holidays? You’re not alone.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but if you’re a small business owner or founder, you know that sometimes things can quickly go from merry to scary. With longer working hours, chaotic holiday sales, and looming pressure to meet annual goals, the last quarter of the year can often be one of the most stressful times for founders everywhere.
If you’re feeling like there just isn’t any gas left in your tank, you’re not alone. The holiday season can be a draining time, both professionally and personally. We’ll go over common signs of burnout, holiday stressors, and strategies for dealing with burnout. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for burnout, there are several ways you can better cope with feelings of burnout.
Founder burnout doesn’t just affect you – it affects your entire business. Learning how to spot the first signs can help you improve your work-life balance, energy, and mood for a happier, healthier you. Let’s dive in.
Recognizing the first signs of burnout
As founders navigate the demanding hustle and bustle of the busy holiday season, it’s easy to fall into a pattern of overpromising, overthinking, and overworking. Amidst the frenzy to meet end-of-year deadlines and get ahead in the new year, many founders often forget to take care of their own physical and mental well-being.
Recognizing the early signs of burnout can help signal you to slow down and take a break. While burnout often manifests in physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomach issues, it can also lead to higher stress levels and feelings of detachment or apathy. With so much going on during the holidays, it’s common to see burnout creeping into every aspect of both our personal and professional lives. If you’re feeling unmotivated, irritated, or like you have too much on your plate, it may be time to take a breather and better manage the stressors of the holiday season, which we’ll discuss next.
Holiday stressors: common causes of burnout
The first step to dealing with burnout is to recognize the root of it. Many causes of founder burnout are exacerbated during the holiday season with quickly approaching deadlines and new year goals. If you’re a founder or small business owner dealing with burnout, consider adjusting some aspects of your personal and professional routine, including:
Workload
Juggling multiple roles within a business, especially when combined with personal and familial responsibilities during the holidays, can be overwhelming. Consider delegating projects or, if you’re able to, hiring a personal assistant during the busy season!
Decision-making and goal pressure
At the end of each year comes an evaluation of revenue, progress, and overall company health. It’s important to share decisions and goals with your team, or if you work alone, consider outsourcing some projects to take some responsibility off of your plate.
Financial stress
Many entrepreneurs struggle with the financial burden of their ventures at some point, and this economic uncertainty can lead to lots of stress. The holiday season is a time for many small businesses to generate revenue, and the pressure to do so can be a lot to handle. Consider working with a bookkeeper to sort through any financial obligations and enter the new year with a clean slate.
Burnout isn’t confined to the workplace – it can seep into many personal aspects of your life as well. Learning what causes burnout and how to address the problem at the root can improve your work-life balance and help you be a better leader, friend, and family member. Let’s dive into some self-care you can also practice outside of the workplace to clear your mind and refresh your energy.
How to deal with burnout
While it may seem like the only way to escape burnout is going on a 5-week beach vacation, for many founders that’s (sadly) not a viable option. There are things you can do, however, to increase your energy and navigate the challenges of being a small business owner during the holiday season.
Pamper yourself. Whether through having a spa day, booking your favorite exercise class, or getting a facial or manicure, one of the best things you can do during times of burnout is to simply make time for yourself and give your body, and mind, some pampering.
Take frequent walks. Sitting inside an office all day can make anyone feel tired. Throw on some sneakers and go for a walk. Even a 30-minute brisk walk can help boost your energy levels and leave you feeling refreshed.
Cook a nutritious meal. If you’re stressed about meeting deadlines and getting everything done before the new year, you’re probably ordering food and indulging in late-night snacks. While some snacking never hurt anybody, filling your body with nutritious, vitamin-filled foods can help keep your energy levels high, promote better sleep, and improve your mental health. Instead of reaching for the takeout menu, take a trip to the grocery store and cook a delicious meal!
Put your phone away. Last, but definitely not least, one of the most effective ways to combat founder burnout is to simply put your phone away. Scrolling the internet and social media is stressful enough, but doing it nonstop as a founder during the holiday season is a surefire way to make you feel exhausted and overwhelmed. Put your phone on “do not disturb” mode and pick up your favorite book series or try practicing meditation.
Conclusion
With deadlines, financial pressure, and more personal responsibilities, founder burnout during the holiday season is a familiar experience among many small business owners. Understanding what burnout looks like, what causes it, and how you can recharge your own battery will help you navigate the holiday season with a refreshed approach, giving you more time to enjoy the warmth of this time of year and the exciting promise of a new beginning with the year to come.
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