How To Grow Your Creator Business Without Feeling Burnout

 

Being the CEO of a company is any creative’s dream come true. Not only do you have the freedom to create your own schedule, but you also control the entire design process, and can make money doing what you love. However, the reality is, when you’re running a business, stress is unavoidable. When you push your limitations, and don’t manage your time optimally, this might feel overwhelming and eventually lead you to burn out

 

Let’s talk about creator burnout and the ways to manage it:

 

What does it mean to feel creatively burnt out?

 

Put simply, creator burnout occurs when a person reaches a point where they feel as though they have nothing left to give. It’s a state of constant exhaustion, lack of motivation, loss of creativity and more. You’re just not as enthusiastic about what you usually enjoy.

 

Here are a few of the most common symptoms of creator burnout:

• Every day feels like a bad day
• You feel as though nothing you do is appreciated or worth the effort
• Change in sleep patterns and eating habits
• Feelings of self-doubt and failure
• Feeling totally withdrawn from the world
• Ignoring responsibilities
• Distancing yourself from friends and family
• Increased procrastination 
• Thoughts of: defeat, being trapped, helplessness

 

The above are just a few of the possible symptoms and are by no means a diagnostic tool – if you think you may be suffering from burnout (and not just in your creative life), we recommend seeing a physician. All-around burnout is a serious medical condition that requires a holistic treatment plan.

 

Why do we experience creator burnout?

As creators, you are under constant pressure to create fresh material. We’re not machines cranking out content for someone’s consumption on social media.

When we push ourselves to the point of exhaustion, our bodies tell us it’s time to stop. Unfortunately, ignoring these signals can lead to burnout. But we understand why people end up ‘pushing through’ – income pressure, demands from partners, deadlines, and so much more. 

That being said, it’s far more important to see the pattern and address the problem before it takes hold completely. As cliché as it may sound, you can’t pour from an empty cup! It’s better to notify people that you need a break, take a step back, and come back refreshed rather than being forced to take time off. 

Here are a few of our top tips to grow your creator business without feeling burnout.

 

Schedule breaks and little retreats during the day

Space for creation, boredom, and nothingness is constantly needed by creators. When we let our souls speak and just be, great ideas emerge. You don’t necessarily have to go on a soul-searching journey to relieve stress.

Long-term burnout can be avoided by scheduling 10-20 minutes of ‘me’ time. It’s termed ‘little retreat’ because it gives you something to anticipate. It might be anything from going out for coffee and cookies to doing a yoga flow on your mat and connecting with your body. It’s up to you and what constitutes self-care for you.

 

Start a Passion Project

Return to the days when you made things simply because you enjoyed them. The sensation of creating something without the intention of monetizing it is the essence of your craft. As a result, you rediscover significance in your job and rekindle your passion without the stress of hitting a deadline. 

Find a project that has nothing to do with your current job. You’ll be able to tackle both your passion project and your business with fresh eyes as a result. 

 

Get enough sleep

We live in an era where ‘hustle culture’ is celebrated and working overtime is considered a badge of honor. If that badge is putting your emotional and physical health at risk, ditch the concept and get some well-deserved rest. 

According to studies, sleeping as early as 10PM boosts melatonin production, which is responsible for body repair and restoration. We recommend learning about your circadian rhythm as well. Did you know most creatives are actually most productive at night?

Working with our body clock improves our performance. The terms ‘morning person’ and ‘night owl’ are actually far more relevant than we first thought. By understanding your circadian rhythm, you can easily plan your day around the times you’re naturally more productive and awake. Some people are best in the mornings, some in the evenings, and countless people have a block of 2-3 hours which are simply not conducive to work. Instead of berating yourself and trying to force it, why not plan other activities during that time? Get some exercise, see a friend, meditate, whatever floats your boat!

 

 

Release yourself from pressure

Running a business entails a certain amount of stress. We perform better when we are under pressure from close clients, maintain a social media presence, and meet our sales goals. Too much pressure, on the other hand, paralyzes us and is notoriously counterproductive. 

Setting realistic goals allows us to appreciate the work we perform on a daily basis. There is always room for improvement and, if we are dissatisfied with the results, we may reevaluate and strategize accordingly.

 

Delegate administrative tasks

As your business expands, more work is required. Setting work boundaries is a form of self-care. You can only accomplish so much in a single day. Hand off the extra work to your team and trust that they can handle it. Employees perform better when they are given responsibilities, without being micromanaged, and are adequately compensated for it. Keep in mind that you are vital member of your team. When you collapse, your business and team will collapse with you. 

We build our business when we are consistent and don’t let burnout stop us from working. Remember that rest is shorter than recovering from a burnout.