How to Outsmart Burnout with Small but Mighty Habits
I often talk about micro-habits. Those small daily tasks that, once applied consistently, elevate our personal leadership in a more modernized, functional way than older methods.
On the flip side, we may have micro-annoyances. Those daily tasks that, over time, can lead to burnout.
Think of a task you let out a sigh for, before even starting.
Some micro-annoyances are hidden. We know it’s better to do, yet we avoid it so much that it flies under the radar of our to-do list for important projects.
Consider inbox management and project planning.
When we don’t look forward to, or don’t know how to manage our inbox, it becomes an energy drain – a micro-annoyance – taking a toll on our mental energy reserves.
And proper planning? Well, I’m sure many of us wish we had mentors who explained that the prep is half the work. Idea collection and proper systems allow smooth sailing through the rest of a project – small or big, it doesn’t matter.
Aggressive inbox-checking and rushing to start projects keep us busy; but this type of busyness often feels like running a marathon in place – lots of motion, but no progress.
We want to be productive.
Productive means your energy creates real outcomes. It’s the difference between managing chaos and building something meaningful.
Convert Micro-Annoyances into Mini-systems
You’ve probably been hearing more about how small habits in our personal lives can make a big difference.
Here’s the demystified version of how it works:
When we change or improve our habits, our productivity reflects it and rewards us. We gain a mental boost and, with some momentum, the cycle builds. We've raised our baseline in how we manage our energy.
Instead of micro-annoyances, we can work to build mini-systems which keep us energized rather than drain us. And the benefits of managing our energy ripples out throughout the day.
For example, we can create a system for managing our inbox to help us avoid the burnout from the mayhem of an overfull, under-organized inbox.
Have you ever checked your email first thing in the morning, felt a pang of overwhelm, and closed the app like it was a bad ex? Been there, done that, buddy.
Once I adopted a mini-system for my inbox and included boundaries around when I do it, I felt the change. My energy was no longer affected, and inbox management was no longer an ordeal to fight against.
In fact, I now had much more ease and could think more clearly about other areas in my business. My brain thanks me every day. Bad time management begone!
This habit became a system that favoured greater productivity in the long-term. I now have a new baseline, and it’s one essential part of my foundational system for my business.
Now, instead of begrudgingly taking action, I benefit from a small task to not only stay balanced and energized for my day, but to guarantee business success.
The Not-So-Great Alternative
In our daily lives, when we don’t improve on our energy management, we either plateau or we slump. This also happens when we conduct tasks based on the blueprint of others.
Busyness without progress saps momentum, discourages us, and overtime, we simply get fed up with doing tasks that clash with our unique personality.
As a solo business owner, the burnout is more real, more internalized. It feels like a personal disappointment and even failure if we don’t achieve the results we expected, meet our goals at specific times, or make the connections we long to make.
Energy-based task management isn’t a myth, it’s a must-have to stay focused and moving forward. I know now that setbacks will always arise, and that makes it even more crucial to have a system I feel confident about.
Many business owners are more driven by passion than by status. We rely on our drive to keep us going, but overlook the drain from micro-annoyances.
What happens when your passion isn’t panning out financially after a long time, despite busyness? Burnout.
The solution?
Create a customized system for mini-systems (inbox, planning, brain-dump, strategizing) so they run on autopilot instead of taxing your mental bandwidth.
Just as small habits can build energy, small tasks can quietly drain it if unmanaged.
Here’s how to manage a few of them.
Practical Strategies: Inbox Boundaries, Mental Load Reduction, Sustainable Planning
Solo business owners have a lot of small tasks in common: inbox management, idea curation, strategy implementation, and developing relationships with clients and the community.
I understand why these are often a hassle, inasmuch as they’re critical to business success. And I’ve been there in my own way or another.
Thankfully, I’ve honed in on an advantage: I learned to lean into my natural tendencies for self-organization.
And when I started my own business – after working in leadership and giving presentations for years – I realized that being "naturally organized" isn't just a personality trait, it's an energy-saving strategy.
1️⃣ No More Inbox Rodeo
My main advice is to stop treating your inbox like a slot machine.
Set specific times to check it. Create templates for responses you send repeatedly.
Some tasks, like email filing and deleting, can be swiftly handled, but take some getting used to. Once you stay on top of it, though, you’ll get rid of a large chunk of the stress and mental clutter caused by it.
Bear in mind that most times, it’s not the size of the task – after all, there are many ways an inbox management session can go – it’s more about the repetition of productive habits that keep you from being worn down or backlogged.
When you set, apply, and maintain inbox boundaries and systems, your mind will be blown.
If you want to hammer down and act to manage your inbox and tame the madness, join my 3-Day Ripple Reset.
2️⃣ Lay The Groundwork before Starting a Project
A storm is coming, but it’s the one we want. It’s the good kind of storm. I’m talking about a brainstorm sesh.
Projects can be intimidating to start. But when I get everything out of my head with a proper brain dump, then build plans that work with my actual energy patterns, it makes a huge difference in the follow-through of my projects.
Adopt this mindset: Whatever you’ve been taught about project management is highly malleable. It’s your business, your energy, and your blueprint.
Don’t give into the “this is how it’s always been done” voices, or to the perfectionism mindset. Learn how to adapt and to align with your uniquely chosen business values so you’re not overwhelmed.
When I make decisions backed by proper planning and a personalized system, I avoid the fallout of decision fatigue, enhance my confidence, and even if something goes left, there’s no burnout because of how I manage my mini-systems.
Such sustainable planning is key for managing our energy and real growth, my friend.
3️⃣ Reset Your Systems to Reclaim Your Energy
Scattered Systems Drain Mental Energy
Your brain isn't meant to be your filing cabinet AND your strategic planner – when systems are scattered, there's no energy left for the thinking that actually moves things forward.
You simply can't think strategically when your brain is busy managing operational chaos. Meanwhile, clear systems create space for the work that actually matters.
It’s why I focus so heavily on helping solo business owners create and organize systems that immediately reduce their stress levels and boost their energy.
Remember, burnout isn't always about working too much. Sometimes it's about our brain working too hard to manage basic business operations.
When you're constantly searching for emails, remembering tasks, or re-deciding the same things, you're burning mental energy that should go toward growing your business.
Join the 3-Day Ripple Reset and Learn to Manage Your Energy
I’m about to host a 3-Day Ripple Reset to snag those poor email habits and replace them with an email management system that works. Your inbox isn’t your to-do list.
Too often, our day is overrun by checking, responding to, looking for, and sending emails. Now, it’s time to take back control.
We’ll also clarify our priorities with a special technique of brain dumping to help us see what we really want to focus on. And, of course, we’ll then be able to take focused action towards our goals.
With a new mindset, momentum that lasts, and relief from healthy, balanced, and productive habits, you will be better able to lock in and achieve those business goals.
Join the 3-Day Ripple Reset, running from
Sept 17-19 from 11 am - 12 pm EST.
It’s a FREE Online event, so don’t miss out + bonuses for those who show up live.
Here’s what Previous Ripple Reset attendees have said:
