Keep your business from going supernova, Strategies to prevent burnout.

Have you ever wondered why some business owners are filled with drive, enthusiasm and energy, and brim over with vitality. While others often appear like they need a two hour nap and a drink in that order. There are reasons for these things. The reasons are seated in balance, play, purposefulness, and self-care.

Imagine this you have just completed an 80 hour work week, you have been living on adrenaline and coffee yet the culmination of the project, concept or product of which you are birthing is about to be delivered, you can almost taste it, except for the horrendous taste in your mouth from lack of sleep and sustenance.

Take a time out. Think a moment. When was the last time you watched a movie, play or street musician? Have you read a good book lately, stared at the ceiling or minfully twiddled your thumbs? Have you recently spent time with a friend or collegue and not discussed business? What was the last healthy delicious food you ate? If you can affirmitively answer any of these things you are on the right track, but a few pleasures in your personal life does not make for a balanced life.

Do you play at work? Is your work environment pleasant, or are you currently operating out of a walk in closet. Are you a sole proprieter and discovered recently that you talk to yourself? I am not suggesting you do an office makeover, perhaps what you need is to draw on the wall with crayons, buy some wind up toys and get some action figures at a yard sale. Playing becomes a catharsis for strong creative ideas, and it just plain feels good.

What have you eliminated from your life since you started your business. Make a list, perhaps you gave up a few things in need of resurrection. If you find yourself saying things like,"I dont have time to; exercise, prepare healthy food, watch a game show." Perhaps their is no time like the present. Make time for what you love and loving your work will follow.

Strategies exist: in your personal life barter your skills or product for what you need. Get your hair done. Find a personal chef. Take a yoga, kick boxing or rollerblading class. Start a games group. Play with a kid or a pet. If you don't have one adopt one, foster one or be a big brother, sister or favorite aunt or uncle. Hang out with older folks, you will find a wealth of fun and laughter in people who have really lived a life.

In your work schedule time outs to play, be mindful or mindless. Have healthy pot-lucks, if your a solo proprieter host healthy pot-lucks and networking sessions. Take walks during breaks, and take those breaks.

Be authentic, practice and live your own business ethics. While writing this article I flooded my bathroom, my dog sat on my laptop and my sons cat went into heat. Now I can laugh, cry, stress, meditate play or leave for my next appointment, you decide.

If we ignore those things that make us human to begin with, then we have totally missed the train and the station has been burned to the ground. Find the next station, put on your engineer cap, wave the white flag and surrender back into your life. Your business and your life will never be the same again, and that may be a good thing.