Escaping Burnout: Self-Care for Small Business Owners

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“If you don’t have a way to get the pressure of running a business off your chest, you’re going to implode.” -Drew Horine

Welcome to Episode 208 of the Marketing Rocketfuel podcast, where we talk about everything related to marketing and entrepreneurship to help your business reach new heights. In this episode, your hosts, Michael Aldea and Drew Horine, are broadcasting from the sunny locale of Tulum, Mexico, sharing personal insights and experiences on a crucial topic for every small business owner – avoiding burnout.

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the constant pressures and challenges of running a small business? Do you feel guilty when you take a moment for yourself? If your answer is yes, then this episode is a must-listen.

Drew delves deep into his own journey as a business owner, sharing his struggles with stress, burnout, and the often crippling guilt of not working every moment.

We discuss:

• Why it’s important for small business owners to take intentional breaks
• The positive impact of self-care on your business and personal life
• How to set boundaries and prioritize your health for long-term success
• The reality of burnout and stress for small business owners
• The benefits of changing your scenery to gain new perspectives

Join us in this honest conversation as we debunk the myth that self-care is selfish and explore practical ways to maintain balance, care for your mental health, and boost the productivity and growth of your business. Listen in and discover how stepping away from your business can actually help it grow!

What Is Self-Care?

Self-care refers to intentional actions and practices individuals undertake to nurture their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It involves taking time for oneself and engaging in activities that promote self-nourishment, relaxation, and personal growth. It can also vary from person to person, depending on your preferences and needs. Here are some common categories of self-care:

1. Physical self-care: This involves taking care of your physical body through activities such as regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, practicing good hygiene, and attending to any medical or health needs.
2. Emotional self-care: This focuses on nurturing your emotional well-being. It can involve activities like journaling, practicing mindfulness or meditation, seeking therapy or counseling, expressing emotions through art or creative outlets, and engaging in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.
3. Mental self-care: This includes practices that support your mental well-being. It can involve activities like reading, learning new things, engaging in stimulating conversations, solving puzzles or brain teasers, engaging in hobbies, and managing stress through techniques. Some examples include relaxation exercises or deep breathing.
4. Social self-care: This refers to nurturing healthy relationships and connections with others. It can involve spending time with loved ones, maintaining a support network, seeking social activities that bring you joy, setting boundaries in relationships, and cultivating positive and supportive social interactions.
5. Spiritual self-care: This includes activities that foster a sense of meaning, purpose, and connection to something greater than oneself. It can involve engaging in religious or spiritual practices, spending time in nature, reflecting on values and beliefs, and seeking solitude and inner reflection.

What Does Self-Care Look Like For Me?

It’s important to note that self-care is a personal journey, and what works for one person may not work for another. Find activities and practices that resonate with you and contribute to your well-being.

It’s also important to prioritize self-care regularly and make it a part of your routine rather than viewing it as a one-time event.

At the time of this episode, Drew is sitting in Mexico, putting into practicing his own self-care! For Drew and his family, self-care looks like traveling outside of the area where he works.

Self-care for you may look very different. Staying local and enjoying the comfort of your own home may be the thing that brings you peace and relaxation.

Pick what works for you! Self-care is not one size fits all!

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish

Self-care is often misunderstood as selfish because it involves focusing on one’s own well-being and prioritizing personal needs. Caring for ourselves is not inherently selfish, but rather a necessary practice for maintaining overall health physically and mentally.

Here are a few reasons why self-care is not selfish:

1. Health and well-being: Taking care of oneself is crucial for maintaining good physical and mental health. When we neglect caring for ourselves, our ability to function effectively and contribute positively to others’ lives diminishes. By practicing self-care, we recharge and replenish ourselves, making us better equipped to support and care for others.
2.  Boundaries and balance: Self-care helps establish healthy boundaries and balance. It allows us to set limits and say no when necessary, ensuring our personal needs are met. It enables us to avoid burnout, resentment, and excessive stress. It benefits both ourselves and those around us.
3.  Role modeling: By practicing self-care, we become role models for others, demonstrating the importance of self-love, self-compassion, and prioritizing well-being. By engaging in self-care, we encourage others to do the same, creating a positive ripple effect within our communities.
4.  Long-term investment: Self-care is an investment in our long-term sustainability and resilience. It allows us to recharge, reduce stress, and prevent burnout, ensuring that we can consistently show up and contribute meaningfully over time. When we care for ourselves, we increase our capacity to support others in the long run.

While it’s essential to strike a balance, it’s important to recognize that it isn’t selfish. It leads us to care for others and give our best self to the world around us.

Making Yourself a Priority

But Drew and Michael, you don’t know my situation. I can’t afford to take time off or my business needs me. We make time for what’s important. When self-care is a priority, we make time for it.

1. How do I make self-care a priority?
2. Figure out what activities you consider to be self-care.
3. Build self-care as a rhythm and routine in your life.
4. Make sure you are including the people who are most important to you as part of your routine.
5. Get your priorities in check. Your business is NOT the most important thing in your life: people are.

When you make an effort to practice self-care, your customer base will respect you for it. Not only are you setting a great example for them to follow, but you are creating boundaries around yourself and your business.

Action Tip: Calculate How Much Time You Can Be Away.

Get intentional about self-care. Don’t let your budget limit you from taking care of yourself. Even if it means having a camping trip in your backyard over a weekend.

Plan in advance when and where you have some time away. Sit down with your calendar, write it down, and stick to it.

And absolutely do not replace time off with doing other types of work. When you do go away, put people in place to be responsible and empowered to do things while you are away. If you don’t have people in place that can do that, it may mean a re-evaluation of your staff or your own ability to delegate.

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