Entrepreneurs are known for having little work-life balance. Pursuing your dreams and trying to get your business off the ground takes a lot of work. Because of this, it’s very common for entrepreneurs to experience burnout. To avoid that, here are four important things to do to help keep you happy and motivated.
Establish a morning routine
If the first thing you do upon waking up is to check your email and start thinking about work, you’re setting yourself up for failure. You need to have healthy boundaries between work and your personal life. Starting your workday at 6 a.m. when your alarm goes off is not conducive to this. Instead, develop a morning routine that doesn’t revolve around work. Take the time to work out, read or meditate in the morning. Set aside everything you need the night before and plan for how long you want to spend on your morning activity. Once your morning routine is finished, then you can begin to think about work.
Stay away from “how”
“How” questions can suck the energy out of you. If you ask yourself how you’re going to get all of your work done, or how you’ll be able to make your idea successful, your mind will begin racing thinking of different scenarios and what-ifs, and you’ll feel overwhelmed. Instead, ask yourself what you need to do next. Put your brain in solution mode by thinking of things as to-dos, instead of leaving your mind open to spiral.
Avoid comparison
As Theodore Roosevelt once said, “comparison is the thief of joy.” If you’re constantly comparing yourself to other entrepreneurs and business owners, you’ll start to doubt your own successes. You may wonder why you’re not in the same place as they are and think negative thoughts about your ideas and the way you’ve planned your business. To avoid that, don’t compare yourself to others. Focus on yourself and your accomplishments. Celebrate all that you’ve achieved without comparing it to what others have done.
Make time for yourself
As an entrepreneur, it’s easy for your entire life to revolve around your work. Many entrepreneurs work out of their homes, which makes it even harder to separate work and life. In order to avoid burnout due to these circumstances, be sure to take time for yourself. Find an outlet that doesn’t revolve around your work, whether that’s painting, making music or exercise. Schedule time into your day that’s specifically for you to unwind in whatever way feels the best to you.