Quitting a corporate job to start your own small business has been a “thing” in recent years. It’s glamorized on social media and praised in entrepreneurial circles. Because of that, most people assume that quitting their jobs will solve their problems, not realizing how quickly you can approach the feeling of business burnout.

Here’s the reality: running your own business is only swapping one set of challenges for another. It also requires a tremendous amount of work.

Every entrepreneur reaches a point where they hate the late nights, struggle with work-life balance, and feel like they’re working so hard for so little. Being a business owner isn’t always as glamorous as it is made out to be and can be painfully challenging most days. You’ll go through periods where you simply hate your business.

When you hate your business and you’re in this dark and uncomfortable place, it’s easy to feel alone.

Just know that when small business stress is getting to you, it’s not necessarily a sign that you should give up. It only means that it’s time to focus on taking better care of yourself and making sure that your business is operating effectively.

What Causes Business Burnout?

Though each business has its own unique challenges that cause burnout, there are a few common causes that can make you despise the work you do:

• Poor work/life boundaries (or balance!)
• Low revenue
• Using the wrong business model
• The tasks you think you “should” do aren’t moving your business forward

Take a look at each of these areas and be honest with yourself. You may need to hire an online business manager and business coach who can look at your work objectively and get to the core reasons you’re struggling.

Ways to Get Out of Your Business Funk

One of the best ways to avoid burnout as a small business owner is to create a clear system for managing tasks and setting goals. This will help you stay focused and organized, making sure you’re on schedule (thus, giving you more rest) and working on high-value tasks that actually move the needle (aka, more money and less time wasted on “busy work”).

Here are other ways to get back to a place of enjoying what you do:

Decide if It’s Time to Pivot

Take a step back and look at your industry, the current market trends, and where your business is headed. Is this what you really want to be doing? Is the market saturated? Pivoting is a tough one but it can save you years of struggle and stress.

Streamline Processes So Things Run Smoother

As your business grows, so should your systems. The ones you used when you first started will no longer work; experiment with new processes so you’re not spending time on mundane tasks when you could be doing something more productive.

Hire a Virtual Assistant to Help With Administrative Tasks

A VA can take care of anything from customer service to bookkeeping, freeing up your time so you can focus on what you do best. It also takes a huge load off your shoulders when you can rely on someone else to handle tedious and time-consuming work.

Hire an Online Business Manager to Help You Revamp Your Systems

An online business manager is invaluable in helping your business grow when you feel stuck. Along with helping you to improve your systems, workflows, and processes, an OBM can also help you find ways to save money and be more efficient.

Join a Community of Supportive Business Owners

Having a group of people who understand and support what you’re trying to build is great for motivation. Join a few professional organizations, online forums, and Facebook groups to connect with others who get your struggles.

Take a Break!

When all else fails, take a break. Step away from your business for a while and give yourself the mental and physical rest you need to come back feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges that come with running a business.

If you’re struggling to rekindle the love with your business, you’re not alone. Reach out to a business mentor, join a support group, or comment below to find people who can offer advice and tips and help you get your business back on track! Better yet, book a discovery call so we can discuss your challenges and create a plan of action to get your business working for you again.