As a woman business owner, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of overworking.
After all, something is ALWAYS calling for your attention.
Taking care of clients.
Marketing your business.
Delivering your services.
So many things.
And, whether it’s early morning before the rest of the household is up or late at night when you finally get time away from ringing phones and interruptions, if you’re in business, you likely find yourself working long hours and lots of them.
It can leave you thinking.
“Is this all there is? All I do is work! And, I’m exhausted!”
Whether it’s because we’re highly motivated and ambitious and super keen to meet our goals, feel pressure to prove ourselves, or are just trying to keep up with the demands of running a business, it’s not uncommon for us to put in long hours and go above and beyond in order to keep our businesses running.
But overworking can have serious consequences. It can lead to physical and mental exhaustion, impacting our work, personal relationships, and overall well-being.
It can also lead to burnout, ultimately harming us AND our business.
Maybe you used to be so excited about having your own business, but now you feel tired, bored, or just not passionate about the business.
In that case, it could be because the balance between ‘work’ and ‘life’ is out of whack, and some boundaries need to be put into place.
Here are a few tips that I’ll be making a ‘note to self’ about.
Set Boundaries
One of the most important things we can do as women business owners is to set boundaries for ourselves. This might mean setting limits on the number of hours we work each day or week OR saying no to certain projects or requests that would require us to overextend ourselves. Setting boundaries can be tough, but it’s essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and avoiding burnout.
In my experience of working with thousands of women, when we have a strong plan for our year, and we have already set out goals and what projects will get us those goals, we avoid spinning our wheels and spending time on things that don’t matter. As someone who loves to create new things, I have had to learn to really focus on the things that matter, and not be sidelined by shiny objects because there’s only so much of each of us to go around.
Delegate Tasks
One of the fastest ways to burn out is to try and do ALL the things. A way to avoid overworking is to delegate tasks when possible. This might mean hiring a team or outsourcing certain tasks to freelancers. By delegating, we can free up time for ourselves and focus on the tasks that truly require our expertise and attention.
No matter how talented you are, there are things in your business that someone could do faster and with less fuss. Your time is precious and ought to be reserved for the business areas only you can do and require your high-level input and expertise. Anything you could pay someone else to do for less per hour than you charge out or value your time is a task to consider delegating.
What’s one thing that you could let go of and delegate this week?
Seek Support
Running a business can be overwhelming at times, and it’s important to have a support system in place to help us through the tough times. Whether it’s a business coach, a mentor, or a group of like-minded female entrepreneurs, having someone to turn to for guidance and support can make all the difference.
That’s exactly why women choose to be a part of the HerBusiness Network. Inside, women almost immediately discover others eager to do business with them. And yes, we have members generating significant revenue from those relationships (as can you).
But it’s more than that.
As a woman growing and scaling your business, you need (and want) more than that. You want a safe place to ask questions and get trusted answers. And not random answers from people who don’t “get” you or understand what you’re doing in your business.
You want answers from other women who have been where you are and have successfully gone to the next level.
And you want support from women who are in the thick of growing a business while simultaneously managing family and outside commitments… all without sacrificing their health and without burning out.
But doing all that is not easy. However, it can be done. And it can be done successfully, as you’ll find out from the women in our incredible community.
Beyond that, sometimes we just need someone in our corner cheering us on when things are rocking and someone holding us accountable to stay on track when things are not.
That’s what the HerBusiness Network has been uniquely designed to do.
Make Time for Self-Care
Finally; it’s essential for women business owners to prioritise self-care. This might mean making time for exercise, hobbies, or simply relaxing and recharging.
We can better serve our businesses and customers by taking care of ourselves.
What is it that you LOVE to do? What fuels you?
For me, long walks with my partner and dog or a night out at a new restaurant with friends always feel like I’m nurturing my soul and ‘having a life’. So, a weekly long walk and a dinner with friends are appointments that make it onto my calendar every month.
Maybe for you, it’s reading, learning a new language, visiting a retreat or having a monthly pedicure. Whatever it is, how can you add it to your calendar?
Overworking can be a serious issue for women business owners. While you can ‘tough it out’ for a few years, it can have a really negative impact on business in the long term.
But, when you can find a bit of balance, a little bit at a time at first, you can find the awe and passion for your business. It’s about finding your mojo again and again.
But by setting boundaries, delegating tasks, seeking support, and prioritising self-care, we can avoid the negative consequences of overworking and maintain a healthy work-life balance. So, it is important for women business owners to be aware of the potential pitfalls of overworking and to take steps to avoid them.
To access the ongoing support of other women business owners who are also managing family and outside commitments… all without sacrificing their health and without burning out, request your invitation to join the HerBusiness Network.
