Life is Short, Do What You Love and Outsource the Rest
The holiday season is upon us, and the time has come to celebrate the end of a productive year and reflect on our aspirations for the year that is yet to come. For many, this is the ideal time to identify what worked and what didn't. The need to make these changes could be attributed to the additional time one has at their disposal, time spent with family, or an epiphany from binge-watching reruns of It’s a Wonderful Life. Whatever the reason may be, now may be the perfect time to take a moment, step back from the demands of Q4, and ask yourself if you are truly satisfied at this stage in your professional life.
Let’s not sugarcoat the facts—2022 has proven to be a difficult year for many small to mid-sized businesses. Inflation, increased competition, economic uncertainty, and shrinking markets have all contributed to an overall sense of unease across the globe. All things considered; these factors may result in identifying the need to make intentional revisions to ensure some level of improvement as we begin the new year.
Reflect on These Questions Going Into 2023
We’ve compiled a list of possible questions business leaders can ask when attempting to initiate a professional reflection:
Do you feel passionate about your business/position? Does it still get you out of bed in the morning? If you don’t, what is in your control that you can adjust to reignite that passion?
What are your favorite parts about your business/position? Are there aspects that no longer bring you joy? Another way to think about this question is, what gave you energy?
What are the least favorite parts about your business/position? Are there aspects that drained you that you can either let go of or outsource?
What are your goals going into 2023? Do you want to grow your business, achieve more work-life balance, or even scale back? There’s no right answer—just remember to be honest with yourself.
If your dream career has become something you have come to dread, ask yourself if this change is due to shifting priorities, or increased pressure and responsibilities. For those who are currently unhappy in their professional lives, do not be so quick to throw in the towel and hunt for new opportunities.
You may not have lost the passion for your business entirely. Rather, that passion may be buried under the weight of time-consuming tasks that are outside of your field of expertise. Ask yourself if divesting yourself from certain tasks and responsibilities would help bring back the sense of passion that drove you to your career in the first place and help you focus on where you truly excel. Remember, shouldering these duties yourself does not have to be a permanent arrangement.
Consider Burnout
Small to mid-sized business owners often must adopt these responsibilities to keep their organization afloat, either while expanding or downsizing. The many needs of your business can distract you from what brings you joy and purpose in your professional life, resulting in burnout and exhaustion. In addition to negatively impacting productivity and service quality, burnout can also contribute to feelings of overall career dissatisfaction in individuals.
According to a recent study conducted by Capital One of small business owners in the US, nearly half of all surveyed expressed feeling symptoms of burnout and exhaustion in 2022. With increased responsibilities, concerns about inflation and the global supply chain, and a lack of in-house subsidized mental health resources, these numbers should not come as much of a shock.
We can all identify the causes and consequences of burnout, but where can we find the right solutions?
Plan for a Stronger Work-Life Balance
Experts in the matter agree that corporations who invest in mental wellness programs and promote work/life balance resources for employees are overall more productive and experience less turnover. Even when things seem hectic, small to mid-sized business owners may want to remember that taking time away from work to rest, recharge, and reprioritize can lead to higher performance and a healthier work culture.
Setting aside the direct benefits that a stronger work-life balance can have on your business, spending more time with your loved ones, with your hobbies, and outside away from work serves as an important reminder that life is precious and that none of us should be completely consumed by our professional responsibilities. If you feel as though you are sacrificing too much of your time to your work and that you are neglecting the many things that give your life meaning, now may be the time to invest in a helping hand.
Explore Fractional Services
From business services such as development, finance, customer support, and IT, most small to mid-sized businesses across the US regularly invest in fractional services and outsourced professionals. Fractional experts and outsourced professionals not only help business owners save time and money, but also relieve some of the many pressures that come with leading and managing an organization. All while gaining access to new resources, tools, and development strategies from experts who will empower your business for years to come.
If you are curious to learn more about how Sebastian Lane Consulting’s fractional sales management services can help better leverage your sales process in the new year, please get in touch and schedule a free consultation with us today.
To learn more about our outsourced sales management and business growth strategy services, call Sebastian Lane Consulting at 443-534-6783 or email us at jesse@sebastianlaneconsulting.com to schedule your free consultation.