Today’s world is so fast-paced that, for many people, it’s getting exhausting. There are many factors contributing to this exhaustion, but balancing a side-hustle (or three) with a full-time job is a common culprit. We’re all trying to make as much money as we can to survive in this challenging economy. The rise of remote work, virtual and serviced office solutions, and drag-and-drop website builders has opened up a wealth of opportunities to do just that. But what if your money-making endeavors are setting you up for burnout?

What Is Burnout? 

Burnout is categorized as a state of complete exhaustion – emotional, physical and mental. It can happen to anyone, but entrepreneurs and those with multiple jobs or side hustles are particularly at risk. 

How do you know if you’re heading for burnout? Here are the key symptoms to watch out for: 

• Persistent tiredness or exhaustion
• A lack of enthusiasm towards your work
• A lack of ability to do your job
• Feeling alienated from your friends or colleagues
• Diminishing work performance 

These symptoms can look different in everybody and may creep up slowly over time. 

Prevention Is Infinitely Easier Than Attempting A Cure

Burnout is more than just exhaustion. It can make it so that you are totally unable to do any work at all. It can lead to the onset of all kinds of chronic physical and mental challenges that may last from a few weeks, to many years. 

Prevention is always the best approach when it comes to this nebulous condition. 

How To Avoid Burning Out With A Full-Time Job And A Side-Hustle

Here’s how to stay energized and balanced as you boost your bank balance: 

Set Clear Boundaries: Ensure both your main job and your side hustle are done during clearly scheduled times. Be open with your main employer and side hustle clients, and stick to these defined times yourself. 

Stay Connected: Being surrounded by supportive friends, family, colleagues, and peers ensures you’re not alone on this challenging journey. Lean on people when you need to, but be prepared to offer the same support in return. 

Put Your Health First: Never skimp on the basics of health, including sunshine, fresh air, exercise, good food, and abundant sleep. When stressed and pressed for time, we’re all prone to neglecting our diet by eating too little or choosing unhealthy foods. However, this will play havoc with your energy levels over time. Meanwhile, without adequate breaks and plentiful sleep, you will find your productivity drops, and your physical and mental health will take a knock too. 

Set Realistic Goals: Realistic goals set the groundwork for regular hits of energizing achievement. Give yourself small rewards when you hit each goal, and you’ll maintain motivation and energy during even the most challenging times. 

Delegate And Outsource: Are you taking on too much? Although balancing a full-time job and side hustle is achievable, you may be doing more than you should be. Perhaps you can delegate more roles in your full-time job. Maybe you can outsource some tasks to a freelancer, making your side hustle a little more hands-off. There are infinite ways to boost your efficiency and take the pressure off. So if you’re feeling stressed, sit down with a friend or mentor and brainstorm a way to give yourself more room to breathe. 

Being aware of how you feel and how your schedule looks is a great start to avoiding burnout. Make adjustments as you go, and always put your health first. Treat yourself like someone who deserves to be nurtured and loved. After all, that’s exactly what you are. 

Guest writer.