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A few tips and tricks for keeping burnout at bay.

Running a small business is many things, but soothing and restful it ain’t. If you’re putting the ‘dead’ in deadlines and your brain feels like a pot of spaghetti on full boil, step away from the numbers and read this instead. It might help. We sat down with a few savvy experts to bring you some mental-health tips for small-business owners.

SET FIRM BOUNDARIES

No one gets into small business because they want a worse work-life balance, but you’d be amazed how quickly life’s see-saw can tip the wrong way. Rebecca Gravestock, Director of People and Performance at Xero, says the trick is to divide your day into units, then split those units between work and regular human-type stuff (exercise, showering, walking the dog). It’s about recognising that work and downtime are equally important. "Self-care doesn't have to be just mindfulness and meditation,” she says. “What it ultimately comes down to is being honest with yourself, and carving out time to take breaks and do something calming."

TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS

“Don’t worry too much about labelling it as ‘burnout’,” says Patrice O’brien, Chief Community Officer for Beyond Blue. “If you’re not feeling good and that persists for a period of time, it’s enough to know you need to do something differently.” In other words, if you’re feeling stressed and overwhelmed, you’re probably stressed and overwhelmed. Go figure. Don’t wait for someone to hand you tranquilisers and a herbal tea. You’ve got to look after yourself.

KNOW YOUR WORTH

A major trap in small business is tying your self-esteem to shiny but ultimately unimportant things, like how much money you make or how busy you are. That stuff is important, sure, but you’re much more than just your bottom line. “Work on your self-esteem every single day, and make sure it’s not predicated on something you can’t control,” says business coach Sharon Pakir. “If we base our self-worth on our output or what people think of us, when it all comes crashing down, we’re left with nothing.”

START A WELLBEING PLAN

You’ve (hopefully) got a plan for your business, but how about one for your brain? Patrice says a ‘business wellbeing plan’ is absolutely crucial for small-business owners: “It’s really sitting down and thinking, what are the signs things aren’t going as well as they could be, and how can I intervene when they happen?” Not sure how to get started? Beyond Blue’s mental-health website, headsup.org.au, has some great wellbeing templates you can use.

AUTOMATE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

You don’t have to spend time calculating your expenses by hand

software out there now, like Xero, that can automate huge chunks of day-to-day busywork for you. When running a small business, it’s important to work out what’s worth your time and what isn’t. Let your accounting software chase invoices and keep track of expenses while you get on with conquering the world.

GET HELP (NO, SERIOUSLY)

Delegation is the key to success, even when your business is just you and a sewing machine. If you need help managing your anxiety or stress, reach out to organisations like headspace (headspace.org.au), Lifeline (lifeline.org.au) or Beyond Blue (beyondblue.org.au). If you’re struggling with accounting, hire a real-deal accountant. If you don’t know what ‘assets liability’ means, find a good business mentor and ask. And don’t forget to celebrate the little wins, while you’re at it. “Take the time to stop and recognise what you're grateful for as a business owner,” Rebecca says. “Make sure you go easy on yourself.”