Rest, Recharge and Reset You and Your Interior Design Firm (Copy)
Let’s talk more about burnout.
We have heard and maybe even talked with others of being burned out and looking for inspiration in different ways. But today, I want to talk about being exhausted in all ways: mentally, physically, emotionally, and even spiritually then discuss what we can do about it.
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 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.
Lack of physical or mental energy
Difficulty sleeping – either too much or not enough sleep resulting in being tired
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. It is hard to create a luxury client experience when you are exhausted. No one needs an owner who is scattered, tired, grumpy, and just overwhelmed.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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, and 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 time to 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. Look at each quarter in your business, maybe there is a long weekend that you can schedule. The more often you rest the better you can work.
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. I would love to support you and your company's growth. We also create customized solutions for interior design firms and would enjoy working with you and your business. Choose to rest to be at your best – because that is profitable, and profit doesn’t happen by accident.