4 essential routines and practices for SMBs to prevent burnout

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.

Even though checking things off the to-do list for your business is important, so is taking a break to let the mind reset. Scheduling breaks and incorporating them into your daily and weekly schedule can help prevent burnout before it happens. Using your calendar to pre-schedule these breaks will also create another reminder for you to take them. Businesses often have busy and slow seasons. It’s during those busy seasons that prioritizing rest becomes even more imperative so you can return to work feeling refreshed.

We love a to-do list!

It’s simple, yet effective: a daily and/or weekly to-do list. Every Sunday, I jot down all the tasks I need to complete during the upcoming week, and then prioritize them by due date and importance. Then, I break it down even further into what I’ll set out to get done each workday.

To manage my workload effectively and organize my tasks even further, I designate specific days to focus on particular types of work. For example, Mondays are my “CEO days,” dedicated to reviewing business finances, accounting, and prepping content. Some independent business owners even designate “no meeting days” to be able to focus on deep work without distractions.

This structured approach helps me stay focused and organized and ensures I address all aspects of my business efficiently. It’s important to note that it’s okay to weave flexibility into this schedule when things don’t go as planned for the day or week (which happens in the unpredictable world of owning your own business!). You can make adjustments along the way and continue to complete tasks to the best of your ability.

Develop intentional routines

Maintaining a healthy work/life balance and avoiding burnout also involves developing personal routines that allow you to recharge and refocus.

My personal routine includes morning walks with my dog, which helps to ground me, brings me joy, and often sparks my most creative ideas. It’s a daily reminder to stay present and always puts me in a good headspace for the day. I also practice tapping and affirmations when I begin to feel anxious or overwhelmed, which involves tapping specific points on my body while repeating affirmations. This tactic helps me feel calm and grounded within a couple of minutes. It’s a quick and effective way to manage stress and maintain focus.

The mind-body connection is very real, so prioritizing physical health and exercise can help improve your mental health. I enjoy working out in the evenings to unwind for the night, improve my sleep quality, and ensure I’m well-rested for the next work day.

Related: Health benefits trends small businesses should be watching

Setting boundaries

Setting clear and attainable boundaries between work and life is crucial for maintaining balance and helping to prevent burnout. Just as scheduling things within your workday is important, so is scheduling things outside of it. When I know I have dinner with a friend one day, I’m motivated to accomplish my tasks because I have something to look forward to. Building recreational activities into your day ensures you have another outlet dedicated to unwinding outside work. This intentionality will keep you at the top of your game.

The biggest takeaway I can offer as an independent business owner is to take the time to learn and understand your own working style and preferences. Self-awareness, planning ahead, and prioritizing your happiness are the keys to positively impacting your mental health and improving how you show up for your business day after day.

Through a combination of these strategies, which you can customize and personalize to best fit the way you work, you’ll be able to avoid burnout and show up for your business as your best self, contributing to the long-term success of your business without compromising your mental health.

Akua Konadu, Associate Content Manager at HoneyBook