Running a business is exciting but it’s not easy. In fact, sometimes, it can be downright exhausting.

You’re the one responsible for everything your clients, your team, your numbers, your growth. But where do you fit your own well-being into this?

If you find yourself answering emails at midnight, skipping lunch to meet deadlines, or not making time to exercise, it’s usually a sign that something needs to change.

As accountants, we know how easy it is to focus on financial health and forget about personal well-being. But here’s the reality:  When a business owner burns out, the whole business can feel the impact, as well as your family and friends.  

Prioritising your well-being isn’t just a luxury; it’s a smart and productive business strategy.

Why Your Wellbeing Matters to Your Business

Think of yourself as the foundation of your business ‘house’. If you crack under pressure, everything built on top becomes unstable. When you’re well-rested, clear-headed, and balanced, you make better decisions, solve problems faster, and lead with confidence.

Here’s what happens when business owners neglect their well-being:

• Decision fatigue: Constant stress leads to poor decision-making, which can cost time, money, and missed opportunities. When your brain is overloaded, even the simplest decisions can be exhausting, leading to procrastination or rushed choices that can lead to delays or costly mistakes for your business.
• Burnout: Running on empty impacts productivity, motivation, and creativity – the very things that keep a business growing. Exhaustion can affect your productivity and the tasks you used to enjoy can start feeling like a burden. This can make you resent the business you once loved, pushing you towards frustration and disengagement.
• Strained relationships: When you’re constantly stressed, it’s easy to become irritable or distracted, which can affect your relationship with clients, team members and even loved ones. Emotional exhaustion makes it harder to communicate effectively, leading to misunderstandings and unnecessary conflicts.
• Health risks: Chronic stress contributes to physical issues like high blood pressure, poor sleep, and anxiety. Ignoring these warning signs doesn’t just affect your work – it can lead to long-term health complications that take you away from your business when you can least afford it.

You wouldn’t let your business fall into chaos, so why let your well-being do the same?

Practical Ways to Prioritise Your Wellbeing

So how do you balance running a business with looking after yourself?

It starts with small, deliberate choices. Here are five key areas to focus on:

1. Set Clear Boundaries (and Stick to Them)

If you’re always available, your business will take all your time. Without clear boundaries, work can take over every part of your life. You need to ensure that you have time to recharge, prevent yourself from burnout and boost long-term productivity.

• Define working hours: Whether you work 9-5 or 6-2, set hours and respect them. Communicate these hours to your clients, team and even yourself. Setting boundaries is not just about respecting your time-it is about respecting yourself. Avoid checking emails and responding to messages outside of your set hours unless it is truly urgent or business-critical.
• Create a business-free zone: Choose a specific space or time in your diary where work is strictly off-limits. Maybe it’s your bedroom, a family dinner time, or even your morning coffee ritual.  This will allow you to fully switch off and recharge.
• Learn to say no: You don’t have to take every client, every call, or every request. Prioritise what truly matters. Prioritise tasks and clients that align with your goals and values. It’s okay to decline requests that do not serve your business or wellbeing your time is a limited resource, and arguably the most precious you have, so use it wisely.

2. Delegate Like a Pro

Trying to do everything yourself? That’s a fast track to burnout. Many business owners fall into the trap of thinking they must handle every detail themselves, believing that no one else will do it as well. The reality is this can lead to exhaustion, missed opportunities, and slower business growth.

Focus on the bigger picture – Business strategies, client relationships and innovation – rather than getting bogged down in daily admin.

• Outsource where possible:  Certain tasks, like bookkeeping, payroll and everything around your business finances can be outsourced to specialists who can handle these more efficiently and accurately. For example, an experienced accounting firm ensures your finances stay in order while freeing you up to focus on your core business. Outsourcing isn’t a cost- it is an investment in efficiency.
• Empower your team: If you have employees, trust them to do their jobs without micromanaging. Give them clear responsibilities and the autonomy to make decisions within their roles. The more ownership they have, the more engaged and productive they’ll be. Start small, delegate low-risk tasks and gradually increase responsibility as confidence grows. A well-trained, empowered team not only lightens your load but also helps your business thrive.
• Automate tasks: Repetitive tasks drain your time and energy. Use technology to handle repetitive processes and build systems to give your brain a rest. Accounting software will sync bank transactions electronically, and enable automatic invoicing, and the scheduling of payments. Use project management tools to streamline workflows, task management, and communication. Automation is about working smarter, not harder. RedBrick has experience in transforming your business finance processes digitally using various software platforms. Check out our Services here.

3. Schedule “CEO Time”

The best business decisions happen when you step back, reflect, and think. Schedule dedicated regular “CEO time”. It allows you to focus on the bigger picture, make informed decisions and ensure both your personal and professional well-being stay on track.

Here’s how to make the most of it:

• Review finances – both looking backwards and forwards: Know your numbers, inside out. Know where you have come from, and where you are going to. Financial health is the backbone of your business, and regularly checking your profitability and cash flow is crucial. So is checking if you are overspending, and thinking about whether automation or outsourcing could save you time or money?
• Plan ahead: Instead of reacting to crises, proactively shape your business strategy ahead of time. Set your business goals at regular intervals, identify potential risks and streamline operations. Taking time to plan can help you reduce stress, improve efficiency and help you stay ahead of challenges instead of fixing them last minute. It also helps to identify macro trends, and the macro direction of travel, and then attempt to ‘future-proof’ your business.
• Check in on your well-being: Are you getting enough rest, exercise, and downtime? Lack of sleep can affect your decision-making, creativity and problem-solving skills. Small changes like a daily walk, regular bedtime, or healthier meals can make a big difference.

4. Take Care of Your Body and Mind

You are your business’s most valuable asset. Treat yourself like one. Taking care of your body and mind isn’t just about staying healthy, it’s about giving yourself the energy, focus, and resilience to lead effectively.

• Prioritise sleep:  Sleep is often the first thing business owners sacrifice when deadlines loom or stress rises. However, the lack of sleep dramatically impacts your cognitive functions, decision-making, and overall productivity.
• Move daily: Physical activity does more than just keep you fit it enhances mental clarity and energy levels. Even a 15-minute walk, yoga or a short workout can boost clarity and energy. Exercise stimulates endorphins and it can help clear your mind when you feel overwhelmed. It can also double up as precious “CEO Time” mentioned above.
• Eat well: Nutrition fuels brain power.  A poor diet, filled with sugar, caffeine, and processed foods, can leave you feeling sluggish, irritable, and distracted. On the other hand, a balanced diet with whole foods, fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats, fuels your mind and body, helping you stay sharp and focused.
• Take real breaks: A 5-minute scroll through emails or the team chat is not a break. You’re still engaging with work, which doesn’t give your mind a chance to reset. True breaks require a complete mental switch-off. Step away completely. Taking care of your body and mind isn’t a luxury, it’s an investment in your long-term success.

5. Build a Strong Support Network

Running a business can feel lonely, but it doesn’t have to be. Building a strong support network is an essential component of your success and well-being. Surrounding yourself with the right people helps you stay grounded, reduces stress, and gives you the guidance needed to make smart decisions. It’s not just about advice, it’s about having people who can lift you up when you need it most.

• Connect with other business owners: Networking with fellow entrepreneurs allows you to share common challenges and successes. You get to exchange ideas, and experiences, and support one another. It’s also reassuring to know you’re not alone in the ups and downs of business, and usually, someone else has been where you are right now.
• Hire the right advisors: Having the right professionals in your corner can save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. This could be an accountant (like us!), a financial advisor, a non-executive director, or a mentor – the right advisors can provide expertise but also offer peace of mind and help you think clearly. Experienced accountants are experts in their field, and can help you with everything from managing cash flow to handling compliance, ensuring you stay on track and avoid costly mistakes.
• Talk to someone: Having someone to talk to – whether it’s a friend, coach, or therapist-provides an important outlet for unloading stress and seeking advice. Regular conversations with someone you trust also act as a reminder that it’s okay to ask for help when things get tough.

The Business Case for Wellbeing

Studies show that business owners who prioritise wellbeing see significant benefits not only to their personal lives but also to their business performance.

• Make better financial decisions: When you’re well-rested, focused, and stress-free, you can think clearly and rationally. This leads to better financial decision-making. When you’re constantly overwhelmed, these crucial decisions can become clouded by stress or fatigue, often leading to costly mistakes.
• Experience higher business growth: A well-balanced business owner is more creative, innovative, and driven. When you make time for self-care and set boundaries, you can devote your energy to ideation, exploring new markets, refining your existing products/services, or building new relationships.
• Have more engaged employees: Employees are more likely to be engaged, motivated, and productive when they see their business owner leading by example. If you make your well-being a priority, it encourages a positive work culture where your team feels valued and supported, and can also prioritise their well-being.
• See increased profitability over time: Prioritising wellbeing leads to fewer sick days, better decision-making, and a more positive work environment, all of which contribute to increased profitability. When your mental and physical health are at their best, you’re more efficient, focused, and able to handle business challenges with ease.

In short: taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. It’s a business necessity.

A Better Home for Your Business and Your Wellbeing

Your business is important – it’s your livelihood, your passion, and often, the result of years of hard work. But equally important is your own well-being.

Without maintaining a healthy balance, neither you nor your business can thrive in the long run.

What is the key takeaway here? Your well-being is not separate from your business success. The healthier you are, the more robust your business will be. A healthier you means clearer thinking, more energy, and stronger leadership, all of which directly benefit your business.

And if part of your stress comes from trying to manage finances, compliance, and growth? it’s okay to seek help. 

At RedBrick,  our team can handle everything from day-to-day bookkeeping and financial compliance to strategic financial planning and advice on how to grow, giving you more time to focus on what matters most your business and your well-being.

For a better home for your business finances, email us at hello@redbrickaccounting.com or contact us here.