What to do if you're tired of running your own business

By YEC

Every business owner has had moments when they've been fed up with their business, fed up with customer complaints, technical issues, and a variety of other problems. So instead of erupting in anger, what's a better way to deal with frustration and feelings of overwhelm? In this article, YEC members share tips and tactics to help them cope.

What’s an entrepreneur to do when they’re completely exhausted from running their own business?

1. Listen to yourself

Remember your entrepreneurial dreams: freedom, flexibility, building your own empire. Now you're drowning in emails and pressured by your “boss” (you). The business you were once passionate about feels like a gilded cage. Countless entrepreneurs have found themselves in this situation. Here's how to get out of it: Listen to yourself. The call is yours. Could a break rejuvenate you? Consider delegating or automating. But if your business no longer ignites your passion, don't be afraid to consider exiting. Your business exists to serve you, not the other way around. Take control, reinvigorate, and rediscover your passion or move on to something new. —Joe Beccalori, Interact Marketing

2. Consider the underlying reasons

An important step to take when you're completely fed up with running your own business is to consider the root causes of your dissatisfaction. Reflect and ask yourself if your dissatisfaction is due to your day-to-day operations, the overall direction of your business, or personal factors. This introspection can help you identify potential solutions or changes that can improve the situation. Additionally, seeking feedback from employees, customers, and trusted advisors can provide valuable insights and perspectives that you might not realize on your own. Addressing the root causes of your dissatisfaction can help you make more informed decisions about the future of your business. —Josh Kohlbach, Wholesale Suite

3. Let your team take control

Are you constantly pinning your team down, detailing every detail, and neglecting tasks that only you can handle? Stop it. I used to hold myself accountable for tasks that my team had already mastered. Not only did it slow my team down, it also caused me to fall behind on important projects, like forming key partnerships. It left me burned out and exhausted. Delegating responsibility to my team created room for both me and my team to thrive. It allowed me to bring back the joy of running a business, the greatest joy of which is time. —Givona Sandiford, Melospeech Inc.

4. Reassess your priorities

When you feel like things aren’t going well, all your strategies have stalled, and you’re feeling exhausted, it’s time to take a step back and think. The best decision you can make in this situation is to not make a decision. It’s time to reassess your priorities. Take a break from the day-to-day decision-making and problem-solving and do something that feels like a break. Taking some time off can help you gain a new perspective and put things into perspective so you can be more focused and make important decisions. You can be more honest about the situation and determine whether the issue is workload or stress, or something bigger, like losing passion for your business. Once you identify the cause, you can make changes, whatever the issue may be, whether it’s improving processes, streamlining operations, or improving work-life balance. In summary, take a step back, evaluate, and strategize. —Blair Thomas, eMerchantBroker

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5. Rely on a mentor or peer advisory group

Seeking outside perspectives through mentorship or peer advisory groups can help you turn frustrations into actionable insights. When you're caught up in the day-to-day work of running a business, it's easy to cloud your judgment and stagnate your creativity. But connecting with a community that understands these challenges can spark new ideas, give you the support you need, and keep you accountable. Shared experiences can also help you uncover common pitfalls and innovative solutions you might not have thought of. It's a great way to remind yourself that you're not alone on your entrepreneurial journey, and it can really reignite your passion and perspective. —Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner

6. Go Away for a While

When you're completely sick of running your own business, one of the most effective ways is to take a step back and take a break. It may seem counterintuitive, but the best way to regain clarity and recharge your passion is to temporarily step away. I've felt burned out while growing my business, and I've found that stepping away, even for a short time, can be extremely helpful. Whether it's a vacation, a weekend getaway, or simply taking a few days off to focus on personal interests and self-care, this break allows you to reset mentally and emotionally. Try not to think about your business during this time. Engage in activities that bring you joy and relaxation. When you come back, you'll often find yourself equipped with a fresh perspective and renewed energy to tackle any kind of challenge. —Michelle Aran, Velvet Caviar

7. Ask for help and delegate

When you find yourself in a difficult situation and feel like you can't cope, it's time to ask for help. I read a great book by Ari Meisel. The art of doing less This is all about learning to delegate effectively, and it was a huge turning point for me. One of the best lessons Meisel preaches is to write out the major activities that you do regularly at your company, and then each year, take 70% of them completely out of your work and delegate them to the next person. If your whole team does this, everyone will learn new skills and move forward. At the bottom, using automation and AI is great for those little tasks that shouldn't be done by humans in the first place. I love this way of working. —Rachel Bader, PRESS Modern Massage

8. Reaffirm your vision

If you're feeling totally fed up with running your own business, it's important to stop and go back to your original vision. Sometimes you can get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of why you started in the first place. Reflect on which aspects of your business still excite you and which aspects drain your energy, and consider delegating or outsourcing any tasks that are particularly stressful.

I've found great value in joining a peer advisory group. Sharing my struggles and getting advice from fellow entrepreneurs has given me new perspectives and practical solutions. It's also important to take regular breaks and participate in activities that recharge you. Remember, health is essential to the success of your business. Taking care of yourself is not only good for you, it's good for your company too. —Samuel Thimothy, OneIMS – Integrated Marketing Solutions

About the Author

Young Entrepreneurs Council (YEC) is an invitation-only organization made up of the world's most successful young entrepreneurs.

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