Staying Balanced during Business Burnout
If you’ve been feeling exhausted, emotionally detached, easily on edge or irritated, or like your motivation has evaporated, you may be experiencing burnout—a common, but potentially serious, issue for entrepreneurs and high-achieving professionals.
Burnout isn't a personal failure. It’s a signal that something needs your care and attention—not your criticism.
What Burnout Feels Like
Burnout can look different from ordinary stress. You might notice:
Dreading tasks you used to enjoy
Feeling like no amount of rest is enough
Struggling to make decisions or feel creative
Withdrawing from caring others
Questioning whether your work even matters
It can be tempting to tell yourself just to push through the pain or judge yourself for the lack of motivation. But these are signs your internal resources are running on empty.
Why Business Owners Are Especially Prone to Burnout
Owning a business can feel like both a privilege and a pressure cooker. You may experience:
Lack of boundaries: There’s no clock to punch out with when you run the show.
Isolation: Few people understand the weight of leadership or ownership.
High stakes: Your income, reputation, and livelihood are on the line.
Over-identification with work: When your business is your baby, it’s hard to rest without guilt.
Left unchecked, this combination leads to chronic stress, emotional exhaustion, and eventually, burnout.
Managing Burnout: Practical Steps That Make a Difference
1. Anticipate a crash after completing huge projects or milestones.
Completing a goal can lead to a sudden loss of energy and motivation. If you are coming to the end of a marathon anticipate that you may feel incredibly exhausted and even a little lost on how to spend your time. Try to proactively plan ways to rest and return to having small goals.
2. Learn to Grieve
Grief can occur when we have an expectation of ourselves, other people, or life that doesn’t go according to plan. When changes happen to your work community, your projects, or your own capabilities you may need to carve out time to grief and then adjust to the new reality.
3. Practice play and being non-productive
High achievers can prioritize outcomes above fun, silliness, or community connecting activities. Learn to do things just for the fun of it rather than spending all your time on completing tasks. Participating in play can actually in turn help to spark creativity.
4. Not all “rest” is made equal
Rest where we are “zoned out” is likely not activating our safety system where our body can repair itself. Try to find types of rest that keep you awake to your experience while being chilled out.
5. Talk to Someone Who Gets It
Burnout is isolating, and shame thrives in silence. Whether it’s a mentor, therapist, coach, or peer, find someone safe to talk to about what you’re carrying and rely on your community.
You Are More Than Your Business
You are a human first. A business owner second.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re weak—it means you’ve nervous system is trying to send you a message. Therapy can help you navigate burnout by clarifying your values and rebuilding balance.
If you’re a business owner feeling stretched too thin, I offer therapy tailored to entrepreneurs and leaders who are ready to redefine success and build a life that supports their growth—personally and professionally.
