Stress Management

Almost 3 months into running my own business full-time, it happened. Burnout.

“What is going on?” I kept asking myself.

“Just focus!”

Then the tears started, almost every day for about a week. Crying on my way to networking events, crying on the way back. Crying in the shower, just crying.

“Seriously! What have I done? Maybe I should just go get another job, I’m not cut out for this.”

3 months in, and I was ready to throw in the towel.

I was on the phone with my business coach (who happens to be amazing), and we were talking about celebrations. I literally had nothing, then I started crying, AGAIN. She asked what was going on, and I told her that I was stressed about running a business, attracting clients, and everything else that comes with starting and running a business. I was low on energy, tired, mad, stressed, distracted, not at all present, but didn’t realize I was burnt out and needed a break.

As a business owner where I’m the only employee, I felt there was no such thing. If I didn’t work, or get out there and gain visibility then it wasn’t going to happen. So I had been trying to push through, to hustle because that’s what people tell you to do. I literally had no energy and wasn’t getting anything done really anyway. My coach literally had to give me permission to take time off, literally. She told me take a couple days and see how I felt, if I wasn’t feeling better then I should take more time. She also asked me to really evaluate if working for myself was truly what I wanted to do and really get down to the bottom of my WHY.

So I took her advice and shut it down for a few days.

And it worked! It’s amazing what happens when you actually take a break instead of trying to fight through it. I came up with so many new ideas, I was able to niche down more on who I want to work with, and was a much nicer person to be around.

From this whole ordeal, I learned 4 things.

Know your triggers and when burnout is coming.

Do you know when burnout is coming? I used to, but now with the change in life path, I didn’t see it coming. I know now. When I’m about to burnout, I get even more easily distracted, I start eating like crap and I don’t go to the gym, and I really start to feel down. My main trigger that leads to a spiral of burnout is stress and overwhelm together.

Schedule regular time off, literally put it on the calendar right now!

That’s it! There’s nothing else to this one. My business coach recommended this to me, and it’s literally saved me.

Have a self-care and stress management plan.

There are a ton of really great resources online for both, but you have to do what’s best for you. The most important thing is to do it and make a plan so that when you come across those situations, you stay calm and handle it like a boss.

My self-care includes:

• sleeping,
• eating well,
• exercising,
• journaling 3 things I value about myself every day,
• and meditating for about 5 minutes before bed every night.
• I’m also working on telling myself something awesome about myself each time I see myself in a mirror.

My stress management includes:

• taking a 10 minute walk,
• taking 5 deep breaths,
• listening to upbeat music,
• calling my sister,
• keeping things light,
• positive self-talk,
• and talking it through.

My stress management and self-care really blend well together to keep me in balance.

Have some form of support system.

Who do you talk to or turn to that understands you, your situation, and makes you feel better? Find that person or people and have them on speed dial to stop you from spiraling into burnout. This could be family (although, sometimes they don’t always understand what you’re doing), close friends, your mentor or business coach, or a supportive Facebook group. The support system is ESSENTIAL!

Now what?

If you’re ready to commit to managing your stress and avoiding burnout, I’m here for you!

Take back your health and self-care and be the true boss that you are with a full tank of energy and self-confidence!