Do little things make you angry? Do you find you are making even the simplest of mistakes at your spa or massage practice? Are you having trouble sleeping or eating too much? These are just some of the symptoms of burnout. Whether you are the employer or employee, burnout can happen if you put too much focus on work to the detriment of your health, your relationships, and your productivity.
While running your spa or massage practice is not a nine-to-five proposition, you need to learn how to put on the brakes. Serious burnout can lead to detachment and depression so that you are no longer motivated to pursue your goals or make your business changes necessary to move it ahead. Maybe you need to expand your business by adding new services, which may involve continuing education. You may need to invest more in marketing or build up your social media following. It may be time to redecorate. If you are feeling burned out, you have little or no energy to put things in motion.
Sometimes a vacation is all you need to recharge your batteries. Just make sure you shut off your mobile devices and put work way in the back of your mind. But a vacation may only be a short-term fix if you don’t change the behavior or habits that are causing your burnout in the first place. When the warning signs start to emerge, it’s time to take charge of your life and work. Here are some things to do to prevent burnout or reverse it, if it’s starting:
Set Priorities
our plate probably is overflowing with things you need to handle at your spa or massage practice. Figure out what’s urgent and what isn’t. Make a list that identifies priorities versus things that can wait until you have some extra time or, better yet, that you can delegate to someone else.
Give your Brain a Break
Ever notice that there are times during the day when you have more energy? Start to plan your activities to match your energy levels. Also, make room for downtime, whether it’s listening to music, taking a walk, catching up on a movie, or having dinner with friends.
Engage with your Support System
In your circle of friends, there probably are some who you feel most positive around. It may be that they have an upbeat attitude, are good listeners, or have a wealth of experience to help you work through challenges. Spend time with these people who can help recharge you with their positive energy and advice.
Pursue your Passion
Whether it’s reading, riding your bike, or painting, pursue those activities you enjoy and recharge your battery.
Learn to Say No
Learn how to set your limits and say no. If clients have been asking for too many late appointments that require you to stay after hours, start setting limits. Maybe keep late hours one night. If your team members are taking up too much time with their issues, encourage them to work things out independently. If you volunteer for a charity or professional organization, cut back your time. Learn how to control your time, so others don’t.
Take Care of Yourself
Above all, take care of your health. Do all the things you tell your clients to do – eat right, get enough sleep, and exercise.
And finally, learn how to set realistic expectations for yourself. It may be you are pushing yourself because you have set deadlines to achieve certain goals. You’re not giving up on your goals if you give yourself more time to achieve them. If you push yourself too hard, you may not enjoy your success even when you achieve it.
What do you do to avoid burnout?