Prevent, identify and manage signs of burnout in e-commerce

Ah, burnout. 
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That feeling of being completely overwhelmed and exhausted, both mentally and physically. You may have been there at some point or another.

Because burnout from work doesn’t only affect stressed out folks in the corporate world.

Ecommerce store owners regularly deal with burnout from work, and understandably so. 

After all, running your own small business doesn’t come with paid time off, corporate happy hours, or really any other perks (except being your own boss). For some, it can be a grind for quite some time before you are able to kick back and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Until that day comes, it’s possible that you might experience the dreaded burnout phenomenon. 

But, fear not: Having burnout doesn’t mean that your business also has to suffer.

In this article, we’ll review burnout signs and talk about methods small, ecommerce, business owners use to prevent it.

What is burnout?

The World Health Organization defines burnout as “a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.”

In extreme cases, burnout can cause people to quit their jobs, change careers, or close their companies. So it’s important to look out for signs of burnout before that happens. ​

Let’s review some of the most common burnout signs.

Preventing burnout

Prevention is always the best medicine. That’s true almost anywhere in life, and as you would expect, also applies to preventing burnout at work. These tips may seem simple, but they are a crucial part of prevention, and you'll thank us later.

Warning: These tips may cause a knee jerk reaction similar to that to when your parents tried to give you advice. You've been warned. 

1. Get plenty of sleep
2. Eat a healthy diet
3. Exercise regularly

See, that's why we warned you about that knee jerk reaction!

We know these are the "well, of course, dummy" tips, but it's surprising how easy they are to forget or not follow through on when you are running a business. Yes, we know you have very little time. Yes, we know that it's easier said than done, but not only will these help you to feel better and avoid burnout, but you will actually see a positive impact on your business when you are better able to clearly focus on the task at hand. 

Signs of burnout

Watch for these signs that you are experiencing burnout. 

1. You may feel constantly exhausted, both physically and mentally. 
2. You may find it hard to concentrate or focus on anything
   
3. Your motivation levels may be low. 
4. You may start to feel cynical or negative about your work or career
5. You may find yourself withdrawing from social activities or hobbies that you used to enjoy.

If you are already noticing some of these symptoms of burnout, we have a few simple tips on how to manage it while still growing your business. 

Managing burnout

Ok, let's say you are already beyond the "prevention" stage - what then? Then, you have to manage and work through the burnout. Recall, some signs can include physical fatigue, mental exhaustion, and feelings of being overwhelmed or underwater. 

If you're experiencing any of these things, the first thing you need to do is take a step back and assess your work-life balance. 

Take a break

Let's quickly clarify that we don't mean work-life balance as in you should get on a plane and enjoy the world more. But rather work-life balance as in you should get up from your desk, leave your office, eat lunch outside, or create some other separation between work and life. This is especially true for those of us who work form home. Step away from your computer and take a walk outside, or take a day off to relax and rejuvenate. 

Delegate or outsource tasks whenever possible

We know first-hand that any business owner, and especially those that are e-commerce and service based businesses, struggle with letting go of the reigns a bit. Your business is your baby, and no one knows how to get it right better than you. HOWEVER, there are always things that may not be part of your core business that you can afford to let go of a little. AI can be extremely helpful with simplifying your business processes, creating efficiencies and giving you a bit more time back to take care of yourself and your business. 

TL;DR

Remember: Don't try to do everything yourself; build a strong team of employees and contractors (or AI software) that can help you with day-to-day tasks that might otherwise bog you down.

Dealing with burnout at one point or another might be inevitable, but it doesn’t mean that you or your business needs to fall short.

Know the signs and take action right away!

Michael Arnold

Michael is a freelancer from New York City. When he isn’t writing about how Kliken unleashes the marketing, you can find him reading, writing for pleasure, or traveling the globe.

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