Over 67% of the small business owners I speak with regularly, have told me they’re feeling fatigued, burned out, and lacking in motivation. It’s more prevalent over the past month or two than I’ve ever seen in all the time I’ve been a small business consultant. What’s up and why is it happening now?
I’m not a psychologist, but anyone can figure out that the entire globe has experienced a big trauma over the past 18 months. Much of everyday life has been upended with the pandemic, political upheaval, natural disasters, and other personal challenges. Small business owners have had to pivot several times, just to keep up. They have both business concerns and personal worries. It’s exhausting.
Is that why you’re not feeling motivated about your business these days? It can feel like waking through molasses, trying to get things done, and keep up with all the demands you’re juggling.
Perhaps the time you spent locked down at home has given you an opportunity to rethink your business and your life. The USA Census Bureau said that in 2021 there were 43% more businesses created than normal. Yes, some of that was people who became unemployed and needed to earn an income. But many were people who had a day job or profession, and during the lockdown, re-evaluated their life and chose to quit their job and start a new business or profession. It’s stressful when you decide to re-create your life.
So, I wanted to point out some good articles on the topic. Wherever you are between “burnout” to “languishing” to “depression,” it helps to understand what’s causing the feelings and how you can cope.
- The BBC’s article, Beat the Burnout: How to Fight Pandemic Fatigue with Science, is a great place to start. It explains the symptoms and gives you simple tips on managing yourself.
- Health.com defines “languishing” here: People Are ‘Languishing’ as the COVID-19 Pandemic Continues—Here’s What That Means
- Entrepreneur Magazine goes a little further with an article specifically about burnout in business owners. Understanding Entrepreneurial Burnout (and How to Deal With It)
- Harvard Business Review tells us that entrepreneurs have increased risk of burnout, and not just during a pandemic. What Makes Entrepreneurs Burn Out
Share this article with your colleagues who are feeling the same way.
