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One of my favorite things to do as a business coach is help people diagnose the root cause of their overwhelm.

It makes me feel like Meredith on Grey’s Anatomy solving some complex medical riddle. 

There are a dozen causes that contribute to Chronic Business Fatigue Syndrome (fingers crossed I win my Harper Avery Award for finding the cure!), but most entrepreneurs share one glaring commonality… 

They are working too hard to please their clients. 

As service providers, we’re conditioned to believe we’re supposed to morph ourselves into healing machines for our clients… with no regard for what we want or need.

Do any of these examples hit home for you? 

💻  You’re writing website copy you think your clients want to read… even though it doesn’t feel exciting to write.

😨  You’re continuing to work with difficult clients… because you’re afraid of what will happen if you refer them out.

💳  You’re creating services based on what you think your clients will pay for… even though the thought of providing that service fills you with dread.

📅  You’re working hours that are convenient for your clients… despite the fact that those hours are exhausting and conflict with your lifestyle.

The belief that we’re supposed to put our clients first is killing us!

Your business is for YOU.

Yes, you get to serve people who need support, which is great! The world is absolutely a better place because of the work you’re doing.

But your business isn’t for the world. It’s for you! For your life, your family, your future.

Give yourself permission to build a business that serves you first. 

If the changes you make don’t work for your clients, that’s okay! It doesn’t mean you’re a bad/mean/selfish/irresponsible provider, it means that client wasn’t an ideal fit for you. 

Learning to put yourself first in your business is the best way to prevent burnout. 

Here’s an exercise you can try this week… 

Keep a notepad next to your computer. Each time you feel fatigued, overwhelmed, frustrated, or resentful, write down exactly what you’re doing.

Oh, and if you notice you’re procrastinating on something, write that down too. 

At the end of the week, take a close look at your list and ask yourself what you can change to eliminate any (or all!) of those feelings. 

Remember, as a business owner, you have full control over your circumstances and can build a business that works for you. 

Don’t panic if you feel stuck. If making these changes were easy, we’d all have done it already! 

Feeling stuck is a sign you’d benefit from a compassionate dose of business coaching. You can schedule a session with me right here.