It was after years of teaching that I reached a critical conclusion — one that would lead me to let go of my successful business and begin a journey into the unknown.
I needed to prioritize the discipline of joy.
Joy is sometimes mocked as a cheesy and unoriginal concept. The search for happiness, on the other hand, is becoming more widespread and accepted by scientists.
So what’s the difference between joy and happiness?
Happiness is a feeling that comes and goes, often based on our circumstances. Joy is a state of being, something that we can cultivate within ourselves. It’s about finding meaning in what we do and experiencing a sense of delight in life.
For entrepreneurs, pursuing joy may be the key to avoiding burnout.
What is burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can be caused by stress, overwork, or a lack of meaningfulness in our lives.
According to recent studies, entrepreneurial burnout is quite common. In fact, it’s been estimated that around 50 percent of entrepreneurs experience burnout at some point in their careers.
The most common symptoms of entrepreneurial burnout are:
1. Feeling overwhelmed and stressed
2. Exhausted, both physically and emotionally
3. Cynical and negative about your work
4. Inability to focus or concentrate
5. Feeling constantly on edge
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to take action before burnout becomes a full-blown crisis.
Here are five tips for avoiding burnout as an entrepreneur:
1. Treat yourself to nutritious meals.
When we’re busy, it can be easy to let our diets slide. But eating nutritious foods is essential for maintaining our energy and well-being. Make sure to schedule time for regular meals, and be sure to include plenty of fruits and vegetables.
Our brains are incredibly complex organs, and they require a lot of energy to function properly. The nutrients found in vegetables help our brains to operate at their best. Vegetables are packed with antioxidants, which protect our brains from damage caused by free radicals. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and magnesium, which are essential for healthy brain function. Eating vegetables is one of the easiest ways to promote brain health and protect against neuronal damage.
2. Get enough sleep.
In today’s always-on world, it can be hard to get a good night’s sleep. But it’s crucial that we make sleep a priority. Not only does sleep help us recharge our batteries, but it also helps us stay focused and productive during the day.
There are a number of things we can do to get better sleep:
1. Establish a regular sleep schedule.
Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.
2. Avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed.
Caffeine can keep us awake, and alcohol can interfere with our ability to get a good night’s sleep.
3. Avoid working or using electronic devices in bed.
The blue light emitted by screens can disturb our sleep patterns.
4. Get some exercise during the day.
Exercise helps us to fall asleep faster and sleep more soundly.
5. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool.
Darkness signals our brains to produce melatonin, a hormone that helps us to fall asleep. A quiet environment helps us to relax and fall asleep more easily. And a cool room is better for sleep than a warm one.
3. Join a workout club.
Exercise is another important way to maintain our energy and well-being. And it’s not just our physical health that benefits from exercise — our mental health does too. Joining a workout club can provide structure and accountability, and it can also be a great way to make new friends.
4. Get in touch with nature.
Spending time in nature has been shown to have many benefits for our mental health. Whether it’s taking a walk in the park, hiking in the mountains, or simply sitting on a beach, getting outside can help us feel more centered and relaxed.
5. Design your weeks with joy in mind.
One of the best ways to avoid burnout is to make sure that our work is meaningful to us. One way to do that is to design our weeks with joy in mind. That means including time for activities we enjoy, as well as time for rest and relaxation.
Cultivate Joy in Life and Business
When we think about happiness, we often think about pleasure. We might associate happiness with things like good food, comfortable clothes, and a warm bed on a cold night. But while these things can make us happy, they don’t always lead to lasting fulfillment and joy.
Pleasure is a short-term state that usually fades after a while.
But joy is a deeper, longer-lasting state that comes from a sense of purpose and meaning. When we experience joy, we feel connected to something larger than ourselves. We feel like we’re part of something greater, and that gives us a sense of lasting satisfaction.
The pursuit of happiness can often lead to stress and anxiety. But the pursuit of joy leads to a sense of peace and contentment. So if you’re looking for a more lasting form of happiness, focus on cultivating joy in your life. Pursue activities that bring you meaning and happiness, and let go of the things that don’t. When you do, you’ll find that joy becomes a natural part of your life.
Take The Burnout Quiz
Want to know if it’s more than just the daily stress associated with life and entrepreneurship?
Take this free burnout quiz and find out where you stand in the battle against burnout.
In Closing
When it comes to entrepreneurship, burnout is a very real and common issue. The good news is that there are things we can do to prevent it from happening. By making joy a priority in our lives, we can keep ourselves balanced and energized. And that’s essential for maintaining our productivity and creativity. So, if you’re an entrepreneur, be sure to make joy a priority in your life. It may just be the key to avoiding burnout.
