In today's complicated workforce, 1 in 5 people have considered quitting their 9-5s to work for themselves, which offers more career flexibility and autonomy. However, small and independent business owners often wear many hats, playing the role of CEO, accountant, and HR, and working with customers daily. This can be daunting and cause business owners to overcommit and overwork themselves, leading to burnout—a feeling hitting record highs and affecting 88% of U.S. workers.

As a two-time independent business owner, I've learned how to balance all that comes with this role along the way, making adjustments that best fit my personal working style. This balance is essential for long-term business success and maintaining overall wellbeing, so here are my top tips for finding a balance that works for you to prevent burnout.

Scheduling and preparation

Running a business is no small feat, especially at the very start of launching your business, and it's easy to let the workload consume you. Preparation is key, and creating a schedule that works for you and is tailored to your working style will create a seamless working environment and structure.