5 Harm Reduction Strategies To Avoid Entrepreneur Burnout

I love grinding. There’s something about pushing myself past the point of exhaustion in order to produce something great that just feels good to me. It’s a high I’ve chased all my life, even to the point of burnout.

When I became an entrepreneur, I made the conscious decision to stop chasing that high because I need to be whole in order to build something that’ll last beyond my lifetime. These are some strategies I used to transform my work habits into a more sustainable practice:

1. Keep a light schedule 

Schedule three major activities a day max. And put your regular daily activities on your calendar too so you have a clear picture of your true commitments for the day and don’t inadvertently overschedule. Trying to fill every minute with a task is a trap!

2. Add your breaks to your calendar

Schedule your breaks, set the events to DND, and actually take the breaks. Bonus points for fully switching off by doing something like soaking in a hot bath.

3. Do self check-ins throughout the day

Intentionally check in with yourself. Check your water intake, energy level, whether you need to stretch etc. Check for what your body and spirit need to stay nourished and see to those needs in the moment.

4. Set and observe office hours

You deserve to fully rest and recharge. If necessary, remove all work-related apps from your phone. You can also set your phone to DND and leave it on your desk at the end of the day.

5. Tap into your community for support

Lean on your trusted people. Tell them how they can support you when you’re strained and allow them to be there for you. And if you need more support, make that investment. Your sanity is more valuable.

See how you can incorporate these strategies into your day without stressing yourself out. Then do your best to practice them until they become habits. My prayer for you is that over time your approach to work becomes more humane, as mine did for me. Because we aren’t here to work, we’re here to live.