6 Ways to Avoid Burnout as a Birth-Pro Entrepreneur
Have you reached the point where you’re tired AF of the hustle, but you know there is so much potential in the work you do? Maybe you haven’t reached that point…yet. You are still excited to be an entrepreneur, and the job you do doesn’t feel like work, so you’re putting in all the hours to make it something special. Does this sound like you? Consider this a cautionary tale to avoid burnout as a Birth-Pro CEO.
You love what you are doing, and that is why you started your business in the first place. I am here to help you love what you do and avoid the pitfalls that can lead to an out-of-control burnout-spiral that will shock you all the while have you thinking, ‘How the hell did I get here?’
Let’s jump in and explore that, shall we? I shared my podcast episode on this topic here, but here are the nuts and bolts of that conversation to avoid burnout as an entrepreneur.
The 6 ways birth-pros can avoid entrepreneur burnout.
1. Charge your worth.
If you’re not making enough money, your energy will quickly be depleted.
You need to ask yourself – How long did it take me to become good at what I do? There is value in that. Don’t apologize for your knowledge, your time and your worth.
This doesn’t mean that you offer nothing for free. You know I offer many free resources. But you need a balance of free things that take people through the know —> like —> trust journey, and also include services and offerings that you charge for.
Feeling valued by clients and charging what you are worth changes the mindset from lack and scarcity to empowered and abundant.
2. Create sustainable offers.
If you’re burning the candle at both ends, running your business on a model of trading time for dollars, this is a recipe for disaster. Remember, we want to avoid burnout as an entrepreneur.
Let’s get out of the comparison trap. Your goal is not to create the same business model as other doulas you know, or to build your packages to match theirs.
What others are doing doesn’t mean it’s the best way for YOU. I don’t offer labor support right now because it doesn’t fit into my life - so, I refer it out because it works for me. Do what works for you.
3. Know who your clients are.
The fact is, you aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and they aren’t yours. Real talk: only support people that you want to work with. This of course isn’t the same thing as being a jerk to people who aren’t your ideal clients. But it does means you’re not available for energy vampires, and you have clear, solid boundaries.
Your ideal clients should fill you up, not drain your energy and likewise – you fill up your clients. It should be a symbiotic relationship.
Not sure who your ideal client is? Start with knowing what you don’t want. Once you figure that out, it becomes easier to understand who is right for you. Once you are clear on who your clients are, it becomes easier to help them find you in the sea of the interwebs.
4. Make it fun & easy.
This may seem like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised at how difficult it can be to achieve! Choose the path of least resistance. Be wary of ‘experts’ that tell you how you “should” do things, (unless you are explicitly asking for their opinion).
Remember, you aren’t creating a business that looks like everyone else’s. It should feel like flow, so you’ll know when it’s right.
My approach gives you a framework on discovering various ways of doing business to help you find the way that works best for YOU. My only ‘rule’ is that you’re open to seeing new perspectives and trying new ideas or methods.
5. Get comfortable with B- work.
For many of us, it’s natural to get stuck in the trap of perfectionism. But often, that leads to doing nothing or, worse, doing too much and burning out.
Many entrepreneurs who are creating something new in their business feel a powerful sense of anxiety over whether or not the final result will be “good enough” or meet some ideal standard. The anxiety of the final product can prevent people from accomplishing something great.
The best way to avoid both procrastination and burnout as an entrepreneur is to TRUST YOURSELF. Trust in your abilities. You know your stuff, and that’s why you had the good sense to start your business in the first place. When your work comes from a place of trust and self-worth, your B- work suddenly becomes A work without the stress. You got this.
6. Remember your WHY
What is your Why? Your why isn’t a motivation. It is an inspiration. It is your mission and describes your spark—the passion behind your business. All the other goals are important too, but at the centre of your business should be your why – the drive to do what you do.
And if it changes over time? That’s okay. More than okay, it’s normal. Your mission may evolve with you as you become inspired by other people and new ideas.
What else do you need to consider?
To avoid burnout as an entrepreneur you need to set healthy boundaries by balancing your time. Even more importantly, seek out your community of support when you need help. You don’t need to go through the ups and down of entrepreneurship alone, so surround yourself with people who can help you navigate.
Don’t have a community of support yet? I got you! Think about joining my community, the Premier Coaching Center for Birth Pros. It’s exactly what you need to learn how to create, sell, and continuously grow your business online without feeling pushy, salesy or like you need to be someone you’re not.