Coworking spaces and entrepreneurship are both on the rise in Charlotte. You probably already know that coworking saves you money, is a perfect fit for small businesses, and has a variety of membership options to fit your needs. On top of all those great benefits, shared office spaces might be the solution to one of the most common problems in entrepreneurship: burnout.
If social media was any indication, January was approximately 80 days long. February might be a short month, but its still the height of winter. Cold, gray days leave everyone feeling down, but for entrepreneurs, who hunker down and put their nose to the grindstone without a summer sun to distract them, the long winter can also go hand in hand with the dreaded B-word.
Burnout is, according to Merriam Webster, “exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration”.
For entrepreneurs, burnout can feel like running on empty, losing enthusiasm for your work, or constantly feeling anxious or overwhelmed. It’s become a buzzword in recent years, as our culture fixates on productivity, glamorizes stress, and encourages everyone to have a side hustle. But an “I’ll sleep when I’m dead” mentality is also intrinsic to many entrepreneurs and small business owners.
If you’re passionate about something, giving it your all isn’t a bad thing; but you can achieve your professional goals without sacrificing your health, sanity, and that very passion.
Coworking spaces attract many entrepreneurs, small business owners, and independent professionals, some of the very people most prone to burnout. Shared office spaces are built to support and grow the passion of our members. In some ways, too, they can provide resources and an environment to prevent burnout. Below are some warning signs of burnout for entrepreneurs, and how working in a shared office space can help stop it in its tracks!
No Work/Life Balance
Entrepreneurs can be laser-focused on achieving their dreams. This is a fantastic way to be in the growth stage of your career. It can also have its downfalls: being in “work mode” from the second you wake up until the second you (reluctantly) get to bed isn’t healthy, sustainable, or enjoyable. One word: boundaries. Joining a coworking space, as opposed to working from home, is a good way to give your work/life balance some structure. Make it a personal rule not to check your email until you get to your shared office, and when you leave work, leave work.
Feelings of Isolation
Starting a business is challenging mentally, physically, and emotionally. It’s a blessing to be the boss, but it’s also a burden. Having all the responsibility on your shoulders can be lonely. The great thing about coworking spaces is that you are surrounded by others in the same boat. Empathy, given and received, is a huge boost when you’re feeling alone in your career. Having someone to say “I know what you’re going through” and guide you through it can keep the responsibility and isolation from sliding into the burnout zone.
You’ve Lost Enthusiasm for Work
In the words of this Entrepreneur.com article,
“If you’ve worked too hard for too little reward, or if your early expectations haven’t been met, it’s easy to feel like hope is lost or that your business is objectively less capable of future success. Don’t let this bring you down; take a step back and do some honest, objective evaluation. Get a third-party perspective so you aren’t corrupted by your own biases.”
It’s hard not to get detached and pessimistic when things don’t go according to your timeline (which they never seem to do). The entrepreneurial success graph, after all, is less like a hill and more like a hockey stick. When you feel you’ve been treading water or slogging along to no avail, there will be someone in your coworking space to remind you why you’re doing this. When you’re surrounded by passionate people, it’s contagious.
Don’t let burnout win. Trust your gut and believe that you started this entrepreneurial journey for a reason. We’d love to support you here at The Launch Factory. Schedule a tour or give us a call to check out our tight-knit community of small business owners and independent professionals in Charlotte!
