Startup entrepreneurs get to live independently, set their own hours, and work to achieve their own goals. But that freedom also comes with an overwhelming amount of responsibility. Experiencing burnout as an entrepreneur has become relatively common, and if you’re not careful, it could affect the way you do business — and how you live your life.

What are the biggest signs of burnout to notice? And how can you manage your burnout symptoms before it’s too late?

The Importance of Being Proactive

First, we need to recognize the importance of being proactive. Too often, entrepreneurs blow off warning signs of burnout and continue pushing through with even longer hours and more hard work. They believe that taking time off or taking breaks would simply make matters worse, causing work to pile up unnecessarily.

But realistically, proactive management strategies are neither expensive nor intensive, but they can keep you from experiencing the worst effects of burnout, especially in the long run. Attending online therapy sessions, reducing your hours, and delegating more tasks could be all that’s needed to take you from the precipice of burnout to a much healthier, more sustainable place.

We’ll explore these and other proactive burnout management strategies for entrepreneurs later in this article.

Early Signs of Burnout

Stress is a part of almost every job, but there’s a point where that stress begins to take over your life. If you notice any of the following signs, you can consider yourself in the early phases of burnout:

Demotivation to Work

There are always some days when you don’t feel like working. But if you consistently find yourself demotivated, it’s a sign that something’s wrong. This is especially true as an entrepreneur, since you built this business yourself and are truly passionate about the project. If you wake up each day dreading the trip to the office, it’s time to take action.

Irritability

How do you act around other people? And how do your feelings manifest as actions? All of us feel annoyed or irritated periodically throughout any given day, but when you vent...