Surprising Business Owner Burnout Insights from Burnout Quiz

Burnout is becoming an increasingly pressing issue for business owners, and my recent burnout quiz has uncovered some alarming insights. While there is still a stigma around burnout, I believe it’s important to call it what it is, face it head-on, and protect the entrepreneurial spirit.

This article delves into the results of that quiz and offers actionable advice for preventing burnout among business owners. Whether you’re already feeling the weight of burnout or want to avoid it, understanding these insights is crucial for your well-being and the success of your business.

Now, let’s take a closer look at what the data has revealed from the quiz results.

Over the past two months, I’ve collected data from a burnout quiz on my website, and the results are concerning. Business owners, take note: these insights could be the wake-up call you need to start making changes. If stress feels overwhelming or unmanageable, please consider taking the burnout quiz now so that you can control your timeline for action.

Because when physical burnout happens, you’re no longer on your timeline – your on burnout’s timeline.

One of the most striking outcomes is that NONE of the 15 business owners who participated rated their stress as manageable. This is a red flag that stress levels are universally high, which is a precursor to burnout.

Eighty percent of the business owners indicated that they are on the verge of burnout.

80%!

This means that their stress levels are spiraling out of control, making immediate intervention critical. If you feel like you’re in that category, tap into your support group as soon as possible. Also, take some self-care actions for five minutes a day. Do box-breathing at a stop light, take a quick walk around your block, or text something funny with friends. It doesn’t take a lot of time to start focusing on your own well-being again.

20% of the respondents are already experiencing full-blown burnout. This is more than just a statistic; it’s a cry for help from those who need immediate support to recover from the severe effects of burnout. If you’re on this level, it’s time to say no to new and start pausing work initiatives. I cover this extensively in Chapter four of my book, Burned, but I’m happy to give you the brief version in a strategy session and help you identify those things, too.

I talk about this often at speaking engagements, but I’ve made it my mission to protect the entrepreneurial spirit. Burnout is a killer of that spirit.

Without the entrepreneurial spirit, we don’t have local business owners. We don’t have our favorite local restaurants and establishments without local business owners. We don’t have a local CPA firm or insurance agency that sponsors the local softball or soccer teams for kids. Without our local entrepreneurs, we don’t have vibrant, thriving, and diverse communities, and we don’t have thriving local economies.

The bottom line is that we don’t have communities without local entrepreneurs. No one wants that. We must raise awareness of the havoc that burnout can wreak on local small business owners.

Quality time with loved ones is one of the most important elements of protecting yourself from burnout. It’s essential for maintaining mental health, yet only 58 percent of participants manage to sometimes achieve this. If you factor in those who rarely spend quality time with family and friends, a staggering 73 percent are missing out on this crucial support system.

When someone asks me for the one thing that prevents burnout for business owners, it’s having a support group of other business owners who can be there through the tough times. It’s essential to have both business owners and non-business owners in your support network, but what’s more important is actually spending time with them.

Even a text message or trading voice memos can help. When was the last time you reached out to your support network to talk about YOUR stress?

Another critical finding is that 39 percent of respondents frequently miss aspects of their past selves, with some even feeling this way constantly. This dissatisfaction with the present and longing for the way things used to be can be a significant contributor to burnout.

We all evolve and change, and I firmly believe in being thankful for what we have. But if you find yourself really missing the past, identify what it is that you miss, and figure out if there’s a way to get it in your life today.

Indifference at work is a dangerous sign of burnout, and 50% of respondents reported feeling this way at least sometimes, frequently, or always. This indifference could lead to a downward spiral if not addressed promptly.

When you’re feeling indifferent at work, who do you turn to?

Finally, 73 percent of respondents indicated that they could rarely or never take two weeks off from work on short notice, even for emergencies.

This lack of flexibility is a major indicator of environments that are ripe for burnout.

The data from the quiz is a clear indication that business owners need better stress management strategies. We’ve got to be able to talk about and take ownership over our stress. Here are some essential steps to help you avoid burnout and maintain your well-being.

It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of running a business, but making time for friends and family is non-negotiable. These relationships are your lifeline and provide emotional support that can help buffer against the stresses of business life.

What aspects of your life or personality do you miss? Reconnecting with these elements can bring a sense of fulfillment that helps combat burnout. Whether it’s a hobby you’ve neglected or a personality trait you’ve suppressed, bringing these back into your life can make a significant difference.

Indifference at work should never be ignored for business owners. It’s often a sign that something needs to change, whether it’s your workload, work environment, or the nature of your tasks. Addressing this indifference early can prevent it from escalating into full-blown burnout.

Your business should not depend entirely on your constant presence. Building systems that allow you to step away when needed, whether through better delegation, automation, or restructuring, is crucial for preventing burnout.

The results summarized in this video were based on data through August 2024. I plan to update this once a quarter as more people take the burnout quiz.