Management
Ask SCORE                                                                        Word Count 410

Avoid Business Owner Burnout

Choosing to go into business for you is a major decision that usually means a
commitment to hard work and long hours.  As you struggle to build your
business, however, you also must be careful not to overdo it and succumb to
business owner burnout. It’s vital to take some time off to recharge your personal
batteries.

But there’s a problem. Many business owners are afraid to leave, even for a
short period. They fear that something will go wrong or they’ll miss out on that
next big opportunity. With so much to do, how can an entrepreneur ever relax?

According to a survey conducted by American Express, 40 percent of the
smallest business owners—those with less than $200,000 in annual revenues—
plan no vacation time whatsoever in any given year. And even those who do
schedule a break never really get away. One of every three link vacation time to
a business trip and half will check in with the office at least once a day, if not
several times.  

According to the AmEx survey, these are the vacation-blocking concerns cited
most often by business owners:

• There is no other competent person to leave in charge and others will make the
wrong decisions.
• An important client or customer will not receive appropriate service.
• The business will miss a new opportunity.
• An operational breakdown will occur without anyone to solve the problem.

Despite these concerns, you can schedule a refreshing getaway with some
careful advance planning. For example, draw up a list of worst-case scenarios
and brief those in charge on the possibilities and chief concerns of each
customer.

Tell key clients or customers in advance of any extended time away you are
planning. Introduce your stand-ins and express your confidence in their ability to
handle any issues that may arise. If you never delegate important tasks to others
at your business, you can’t expect them to fill your shoes when you take time off.
To create a saner schedule for yourself, and achieve a comfort level that good
things will happen when you’re not there, learning to delegate responsibilities is
vital.

For more small business management ideas, contact SCORE "Counselors to
America's Small Business." SCORE is a nonprofit organization of more than
10,500 volunteer business counselors who provide free, confidential business
counseling and training workshops to small business owners. Go to www.
scoredm.org on the web or call (515) 284-4760 between the hours of 10:00 A.M.
and 3:00 P.M. Monday through Friday.