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Most of the year, I work, work, and then work some more. I actually enjoy it because I generally love what I do, and working hard and seeing results makes me work even harder. But managing a community and running a small business of any kind is tough, and sometimes it really gets to you. The sheer amount of day to day work/emails/meetings/stress can become suffocating.
Once or twice a year, I get completely and utterly burned out and demotivated. I work as many hours as I usually work, but I get far less done. I’m in the midst of a burnout. I have an amazing team around me, but Mr. Bee, BIL Bee, and Mrs. Penguin typically work over 100 hours a week, and they’re all feeling the burnout too. I think any business owner can understand how easy it is to let work take over your life.
Do you ever get burned out? What do you do to remotivate yourself when you’re feeling overwhelmed?
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OMG, I know the feeling… usually when I get burned out, I either get a spa treatment or I take a vacation with my hubby to get recharged. It really helps! My hubby has been feeling neglected so now I am *trying* to take one complete day off without answering any phone calls or emails.
I think taking a long-weekend mini-break (upstate ny? maine? hamptons?) and also having some spa treatments would help!
I think sometimes it’s about getting away and sometimes it’s about getting closer. There are times when the best solution is a little vacation - whether that’s just down to visit my parents or over to my sisters for the day - that little away time helps. But there are also times when the solution is a little bit of inspiration - to get all excited again. Industry events can help a lot - but sometimes all it takes is a phone call to someone that you don’t get to chat too all that often about business-related things.
I feel that we are no different than the new mom who doesn’t have a babysitter or a husband! I basically have a career based on what I do naturally -chat people up, listen to needs, and advise. That is a blessing, but it is almost impossible to shut down. Friends and family say “you are to hard on yourself, take a break”, but that goes against the personality of an entrepreneur/mom - we would have never ended up where we are if we didn’t constantly push ourselves. I am hoping that as my “baby” grows I will be able to add a babysitter - but I see that even thought Bee has help with her “child” she is still overwhelmed. I do think that dedicating a day off per week is a great idea - I can’t do that yet, but I am striving towards that. I have an informal support group for female entrepreneurs that I call the Fab Female group and I need to schedule another meeting so if any of you are interested send me and email. We have to stick together!!! xoxo, Lo
I burn out for sure! Part of what helps me is developing other interests that I can throw myself into, and completely shut work out for an hour or two a couple times a week. Whether it is pottery, dancing or knitting, I throw myself in full force so that it is a mini-vacation from my usual thought process.
I can always tell when my burn-out is coming, because it is about the time when all of my other interests fall away. I just got through a bad burn-out phase… and I’m happy to be excited about my work again!
@Doctorgirl: Great point - since I can’t take a day off - I can take 4 hours to do my thing. I guess that is why I love my time on the treadmill or kickboxing class - it is a total distraction. I think my new strategy will be to employ more of those mini breaks throughout the week. Thanks, Doctorgirl!
Totally!!! I have been feeling the motivation slowly disappear for the last 2 weeks. Burn out craziness for sure. I definitely get that feeling of over overwhelming work, but still nothing feels done or satisfactory.
Sometimes I find it takes a day of rearranging my stuff and re-organizing to make me feel like work is new and fresh again. I think when the dust on the desk builds up so does the dust in the brain! 
Piles of chaos in the office=piles of stress in the body….
I think as self-employed vendors we have to remember that we are people too who need to take care of ourselves, eat, sleep, relax, and enjoy our lives by giving ourselves “days off” like those working a 9-5 job. Working from home shouldn’t mean working 24-7. Giving yourself hours of “me” time will keep your business more successful with less stress. With self-employment, everyday is a friday, but more importantly, everyday is a monday!!!
I think anyone running their own business has been there. My first couple years in business was a complete blur because I was always on the move and never stopped to take a breath. Now I know a little better so I take Sundays of when possible. No wedding stuff, no checking emails, no nothing. Just relaxation at it’s best. After a day of nothing, I feel pumped and inspired to create.
Sweetie - you do so much. You deserve a week off. Go to an island where there’s no internet, but lots of plants, ocean, and sun. The world will keep moving, as impossible as it seems. Turn on your auto response and tell people you’re just not going to return any emails that pile up from vacation. If it’s important, they’ll email you again when you’re back so you don’t have to play catch-up.
I think there has been a lot of negative and demanding people coming out of the woodwork lately. I’m starting to think it’s winter taking its toll on people. There’s a lack of oxygen in the air because we don’t have leaves or grass to help “grow” more oxygen, so people aren’t thinking clearly and illness is setting in for a lot of people.
I always try to schedule a pampering session, a massage or facial, or even just getting my hair done, at least once every 3 months. And during the week, I leave two evenings open during the week to spend with my husband. The weekend evenings are usually free unless I have a wedding, so I use that time to turn my phone off and put away my computer and watch TV or go out to dinner. Bee, don’t forget to always take a time out for yourself - schedule it- even if you’re crazy busy. It will keep you sane!
dear bee, feeling burned out is no fun and sometimes our days can be unproductive because there’s no motivation to do anything! but always remember if you are not feeling 100% everything around you will not be either. so, you have to take a little break and do something just for you. you are a hard working bee ; ) and we all appreciate what weddingbee has done for the wedding industry but don’t feel bad to turn yourself off from time to time to recharge. a nice walk at the park, go to a museum or a nice lunch. fresh air always helps.
xoxo
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Mrs. Bee, New York
Age and Occupation: 29, Weddingbee Publisher
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 33, Internet
Engagement Date: May 7, 2004
Wedding Date: March 5, 2005
Venue: Westside Loft, New York
About Me: Yes, my name really is Bee! I love my blogging, wikis, and tabasco sauce!
I feel you, Mrs. Bee- I’m in the middle of a burnout myself. Some sort of vacation always seems to help a little…even if you don’t go anywhere. Just take a couple days off away from all the stuff that’s stressing you out. Watch some movies, sleep, go out to eat, whatever helps you unwind. If anyone else has any ideas, I would LOVE to hear them. Feeling burnt out sucks