198: Rest, Recharge and Reset You and Your Business

Leadership
Written By Michele Williams

198: Rest, Recharge and Reset You and Your Business

with Michele Williams

Let’s talk more about burnout. Last month we looked at being burned out and looking for inspiration in different ways. But this month, I want to talk about being exhausted – in all the ways: mentally, physically, emotionally and even spiritually. And – what we can do about it. Enjoy the podcast.

Topics Mentioned: 

  • Exhaustion

  • Sleep

  • Rest

Listen to the Episode

There have been multiple times during the course of running a business for more than 22 years that I have just been exhausted. Some of these were critical times, like in 2012 when I was diagnosed as a Type 1 diabetic as an adult and told I needed bypass surgery on my right arm to be able to keep it due to reduced blood flow. But there have also been times of exhaustion that were created after my team and I had met a big deadline, hosted an event or produced a product.  

You know how you feel after a whole house install or a marathon shopping session at market. Exhaustion can happen even when we are doing what we love. Lately I have been monitoring my health using some of the technology in my Apple watch and phone. Amazing how much information is available if we want to take a look at it. I also wear a Dexcom, which is a consistent glucose monitoring system to keep track of my blood sugar at any given time.  

What is so interesting to me is how much information is available and how we use it to our advantage. This is true in business and in our health. 

Here are three signs that you may be experiencing some form of exhaustion. 

  1. Lack of physical or mental energy 

  2. Difficulty sleeping – either too much or not enough resulting in being tired 

  3. Difficulty concentrating 

If you are feeling these things, here are a few ways you can rest, recharge and hit the reset button. By doing this for you, you are actually doing it for your business. No one needs an owner who is scattered, tired, grumpy, and just overwhelmed.   

  1. Recognize you are tired. I know – it is easy to think you can just get through this. I have said it myself, “if I can just get to Friday or to the end of this project” then it will all get better. And it might, but recognizing that you are tired in some way is the first step.  

  2. Get some sleep. Try your best to create an environment for rest. Get to bed early, reduce your schedule so that you can relax. Take a shower or bath. Whatever you need. But don’t feel guilty for resting.  

  3. Build exercise back in. Exercising releases endorphins, even if we don’t recognize it. If you are truly exhausted, this may sound overwhelming. For me, I always start by just walking. Walking around my neighborhood or the park. Keep it simple to start, but get moving. 

  4. Consider diet changes. When I am really busy, my diet goes by the wayside. I begin grabbing what is easy or in my range of motion – or I skip meals altogether. My kids make fun of me that I could live on two almonds and a piece of cheese. That is not true, but they do make great snacks for me.  

 

Each of us is different. If your exhaustion is not something you are able to manage with diet, exercise and sleep – and by shifting your calendar around to slow the roll, please consult a doctor. There can also be underlying issues to this tiredness. I deal with thyroid issues, and I know when I am just unable to keep going that I need my levels checked.  

Please give yourself grace. Many of my clients have shared lately how busy their teams have been. We all tried to adjust to the influx of requests by working harder, longer, hiring more people to meet demand. And yes, I know we also tried to work smarter – but there was still a lot of work going on. So much so, that now that work could be leveling out or for some slowing down a notch, we can be experiencing anxiety that we don’t have enough work.  

Running a business is hard work. It just is. I am speaking to you as much as I am myself. Build in time to rest. To relax. To reset. When you do this on an ongoing basis, you will feel better and lead more effectively, and your business will move forward with more peace. 

July is my big relax and reset. I usually try to take off two weeks to unwind (week 1) and then to think (week 2). But in the in between times I need to remind myself that a day here and there expertly placed on my calendar can sometimes prevent exhaustion before it occurs. 

I hope you are finding time during this season of busy to take a break. 

After you reset, if you would like to discuss how working with my team and I can assist you in creating a business that runs more smoothly and effectively while being financially profitable, complete a Discovery Form on the Work With Me page of my website at https://www.scarletthreadconsulting.com . I would love to support you and your company growth. Choose to rest to be at your best – because that is profitable, and profit doesn’t happen by accident. 

 

 

Key Thoughts:

  • Exhaustion can happen even when we are doing what we love. Michele (1:48) 

     

  • First, recognize that you're tired, like, I know, sometimes I'll say it, I just push, push, push, push. Michele (5:33) 

     

  • Please give yourself grace. Many of my clients have shared lately how busy their teams have been. We all tried to adjust to the influx of requests by working harder, longer, hiring more people to meet demand. Michele (8:47) 

     

  • Running a business is hard work. It just is. I am speaking to you as much as I am myself. Build in time to rest. To relax. To reset. When you do this on an ongoing basis, you will feel better and lead more effectively, and your business will move forward with more peace. Michele (9:30) 

     

     

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References and Resources:

Michele Williams
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