As the saying goes, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.” That said, too many entrepreneurs experience severe burnout trying find balance within their passion. If you’re feeling demotivated, anxious, or under the pump, you could be at risk of burning out too. So, what’s the solution? Here are 10 rules to follow to help you avoid burnout:

1. HONOUR THE SEASONS

Hustle culture is the worst culprit for burnout. Entrepreneurs want to be in harvest mode all the time, demanding more results in less time. 

Good farmers understand that you can’t push the land too far without the ecosystem collapsing, but too many business owners don’t learn this lesson until it’s too late.  

Just like in the natural world, it’s healthy to have some fallow periods in your business – so, to avoid burnout, plan out space in your year to do nothing. 

2. CHARGE WHAT YOU’RE WORTH

Working for pennies is the fastest way to hate your customers and kill your enthusiasm for your business. If you’re going to undercharge, you may as well get a regular job.   

Add up all the true costs of doing business – including your time and expertise – and make sure you’re making a profit.

Say no to the freebie hunters and undesirable clients, especially the ones who suck you dry. Charging well is the only sustainable option. 

3. GET A HOBBY

I know, I know – your business is your biggest love, and there’s so much to do!

But life can get a little stale if you’re working 24/7. Plus, it’s healthy to have passions without the pressure to monetise them.

Break out your old tap shoes, get messy at a pottery class, or sweat it up at a pole dancing clas. You’ll come back to your business with a fresh perspective and motivation.  

4. BATCH UP YOUR LIFE

Switching constantly between tasks makes your day frantic. Conserve your energy by grouping similar activities together. 

Designate “good-hair days” for client-facing work, use technology to schedule social media content ahead of time, and only check your email at designated times.  

5. GET A BUSINESS BESTIE

Entrepreneurship can be so isolating. You need friends who understand the rollercoaster but won’t tell you to go get a job.

Join online and offline business groups and, just like your first week in at nursery, find someone interesting and ask them to be your friend – or just out for a casual coffee and chat. 

6. GET ORGANISED

It’s hard to switch off when your to-do list gives you anxiety. 

Put your tasks into three columns – 1) work to be eliminated, 2) repetitive tasks that can be automated (usually with smart systems or software), and then 3) a delegation list. 

Anything else gets parked on a “later” list to eliminate all those open loops in your head.

7. TEAMWORK MAKES THE DREAM WORK

CEO doesn’t stand for “Chief Everything Officer,” and while most businesses start bootstrapped on a wing and a prayer, at some point, you’ll hit an income ceiling without help. 

Ditch the overwhelm and learn to delegate – even just one small thing. Your adrenals will thank you. 

8. INVEST IN HELP AT HOME

A perfectly clean house didn’t make me a millionaire – focusing on my business did. But the second shift of housework and endless laundry depletes your energy. 

Stop procrasti-cleaning the bathroom instead of making sales calls and outsource as many home tasks as you can afford. Start small – a cleaner once a fortnight is a great start and won’t break the bank. 

9. PROTECT THE GOLDEN GOOSE

Hint – that’s you. 

If you have a business that requires every drop of blood, sweat, and tears, it’s only a matter of time before it catches up with you – either in the form of a health wake-up call or another type of disaster.

You are the only finite resource in your business. Protect the Golden Goose, and you’ll be able to create abundance for a long time.

10. THINK LONG TERM 

Do you want a long, successful career, or will you burn out in a few short years? 

Business is a game of persistence, and too many flame out early. Protect your energy, and don’t give up just before your lucky break. 2020 is your year! 

Denise Duffield-Thomas is a self-made millionaire and author of Chillpreneur (Hay House)