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How to Overcome Burnout in Business: Insights from a Christian Business Coach

Imagine this: 

The paperwork is piling up. Crews aren’t getting the materials they need in time and projects are falling behind. You’re bombarded with a never-ending stream of questions from your staff and frustrated clients. Deadlines loom ominously overhead.

Compare that to the beginning of your business. The excitement and passion. The feeling that you’re doing something important—providing for your family, serving the community and advancing God’s Kingdom by following his calling.

The problem is when you get down to it, all of that initial energy slowly starts to fade. And as the stress piles on, your positive beginnings can begin to feel like a distant memory—and slowly but surely replaced by physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion.

If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. Many leaders find themselves in this exact scenario: battling burnout. But there is hope. And as a Christian business coach, I’ve learned that faith can guide you through the most difficult times of running a business. And by putting a few practical strategies in effect, you’ll emerge stronger, more productive, and less stressed out.

Burnout: The Silent Killer

Burnout doesn’t announce its arrival. It sneaks in quietly and gradually saps your energy and creative spirit over time. And this is more than just feeling tired.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It’s not fun. And when left to do its thing, wreaks havoc on your personal and professional life. 

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, you may be burnt out. 

• Constant fatigue, headaches or changes in sleep patterns
• Feeling overwhelmed, irritable or disengaged
• Procrastinating or decreased productivity 
• Avoiding personal and professional responsibilities 

If you are feeling these ways, don’t worry. There is a proven way out. You simply need to change the way you’re running your business. It isn’t hard, and here’s exactly what you need to do.

Reconnect with Your Purpose

Do you remember why you started your business in the first place? What was your initial passion, mission or goal? What helped you get out of bed in the morning and pursue running your own company? 

If you’re unsure, this may be the perfect time to reflect, as having a clear “big picture” is crucial when working through tough times. And it’s not just about your company’s leadership. Clarifying your mission also helps your staff. 

• 65% of employees at companies with strong mission statements express a passion for work—compare to only 32% at other workplaces
• 63% of staff feel motivated at work when a company has a robust mission statement—in contrast to just 31% at companies without such statements
• Over 90% of businesses with well-defined mission statements meet or pass the industry average in growth or profits

In other words, connecting with your higher purpose works—and it’s worth the effort. Aligning with your business goals and core values can reignite your passion and help stave off burnout as you find deeper meaning in your work.

Learn to Delegate and Trust Your Team

If you want something done right, you’ve got to do it yourself. 

Right? 

Well, no, not exactly. 

But this is just the trap that many business leaders fall into. They get caught up and involved with everything. Admittedly, in the beginning stages, this may be because of a lack of staff. But if you want your business to grow—while lowering your stress—you’ve got to learn how to delegate. 

Delegating starts with trust. Trusting your team’s abilities—and training where need be—can significantly lighten your load and increase overall productivity. Then, as your staff handles more of the daily responsibilities, you can open your schedule to focus on strategic big-picture thinking that lowers stress and brings your business into the next stages of growth.

To delegate well, you must first provide clarity in your roles. What is expected in each position needs to be clearly defined, as without that definition, it will be much more difficult to find the right people. And “the right people” are more than just technically proficient in their fields. 

You also want to find Ideal Team Players—people that are humble, hungry and smart. As without these personal attributes (which are trainable, by the way) personnel may end up doing more harm at your company than good. Fortunately, finding candidates with such character traits (or the willingness to be trained) is a skill—something you can develop with an experienced coach.

Finally, as you find the right people and learn to delegate more effectively, it becomes important for you to regularly communicate with your team. Ask if they have the resources and support they need to perform their job assignments.

And remember, the more you empower your people, the less you’ll have to worry about.

Use Technology to Streamline Your Business

While we’re on the topic of delegation, it’s worth mentioning you have an employee that never gets tired, cranky or burnt out. They never take sick days and are happy to work day and night for no pay. Well, if you keep it plugged in, that is.

Of course I’m referring to your computer. And while it’s understandable that some business owners are resistant to learning or using new technologies, I can assure you it’s worth the transition—especially if you’re burning out.

These days, computer programs can automate or significantly simplify many areas of your business: from bookkeeping to estimating and project management, as well as staying in touch with customers and developing strong relationships. 

To reduce your stress using technology, look for repetitive tasks you could automate using software. Then, do a bit of research on some management tools that effectively solve those problems. (Or better yet, talk to someone that already has the answers.)

While it can feel a bit overwhelming, finding helpful technology is more than worth the effort. And with the right softwares in place, you free up your time for more strategic thinking—which ultimately serves as a key to reducing work-related stress.

Find the Right People

Sometimes, the best way to manage your workload is to hire outside help. Whether it’s a bookkeeper, a business coach, or custom software solutions, outsourcing can provide the expertise and support you need to focus on your strengths.

While hiring is a skill that takes time to master, you will do well by first identifying areas of your business where you need the most help. What tasks are the most stressful? Where are you falling behind in the day to day? The answers should point to your biggest causes of burnout.

If you’re unsure of which systems and processes would be of the most help to you, working with a Christian business coach may be the answer. I’ll save you the sales pitch (for now), but will say that sometimes having a partner makes all the difference—and many business leaders find the investment of working with a coach one that pays off in spades for years to come. 

Build a Culture of Faith and Trust

As we wrap up here, I’d like to give you one final piece of advice. 

If you want to make a huge difference to the overall health of your company, do not underestimate the power of an intentionally cultivated workplace culture. 

Creating a positive work culture—one where faith and trust are foundational—can significantly reduce stress. And for Christian business owners, prayer and remembrance of faith is a powerful tool in combating burnout.

So be sure to hold regular check-ins and prayer time with your staff. Ask what your people need—and they in turn will do the same for you. And as you build a community of support and trust, keep in mind what the Bible says in Philippians 4:6-7.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Kick Burnout to the Curb

Overcoming burnout is not a one-time event.  It’s a journey—one requiring intentionality, faith, and a willingness to make change. 

By connecting with your purpose, learning the valuable skills of delegation and finding the right people—or technologies—for each task, you’ll find a productive path forward: one that eliminates undue stress workplace burnout. 

And as you go about this journey, remember that you are not alone. If you’re interested in walking along with a Christian business coach by your side, please reach out. Your Discovery Call is absolutely free and a chance for you to share about yourself, your business and the struggles you’re facing. 

After getting to know you, one of our coaches will determine if any of Integro’s coaching packages seem like a good fit. Then, you can mull over the details and get back just as soon as God calls you to do so.

In signing off, I’ll simply say that here at Integro, we’re rooting Christian business leaders. So before you go, book your free Discovery Call. Because it sure beats the stress of staying stuck in the same old business ruts.

Rooting you on,

Jonas Stoltzfus

Book Your Free Call Now.