If you're a coach who's immersed in building or running a 6 figure successful business, then you know burnout. The work you do is rewarding, but hello: the burnout is real if you're not careful.
Burnout for coaches looks like:
- Exhaustion - feeling mentally and physically sluggish
- Negativity towards your work and increasing cynicism
- Lack of productivity and feeling ineffective at best.
- Reduced creative impulses
- Detachment or lack of care about much
- Low motivation or feeling helpless and like a victim
- Poor sleep and eating habits
- Impatience, frustration and irritation
- Physical issues like headaches, stomach issues and anxiety
The accumulation of these is what leads to burnout for coaches, but you don't ever have to GET to this point. You can avoid this entirely by being intentional about your business, your energy and your path forward.
My favorite tool to avoid burnout when you're running a 6 figure business? Human Design.
If you don't know your human design type click here to run your chart for free.
Human Design is an astrological system that reveals your genetic makeup and optimal way of operating. As entrepreneurs and coaches, this can be crucial to running a business that is not only profitable, but one that does NOT burn us out.
There are five main energy types in Human Design: Manifestors, Generators, Manifesting Generators, Projectors, and Reflectors. By living in alignment with your energy type, you can build a sustainable business that doesn't demand 24/7 hustle.
Dare I say that if you align your design type to your marketing.. that marketing might actually be FUN?? It's true.
Here's how each type can avoid 6-figure business burnout:
Manifestors
You are the born leaders of society who are here to initiate and act quickly. You're the trailblazers and designed to light the fire. If you're a Manifestor, you love to do what makes you happy, and do not like being told what to do.
Did you just nod your head and groan "Yep. that's me."????? I know you did.
Because society is so pressure heavy, Manifestors can often do things because you "should", and this requires you to suppress the natural urges you have to follow your passions. In business, Manifestors are especially prone to overwork syndrome because your energy isn't always consistent. You have lots of things you want to do, but the energy and fire aren't always there - and that's totally normal.
As a Manifestor you can avoid burnout by pacing yourself, taking adequate alone time to recharge, and trusting your gut instincts. It means being brave enough to say "no" to things that aren't aligned.
As a Manifestor, you are gifted with enough energy to do whatever you want, but that does NOT mean you're designed to be working all day every day. There is beauty in rest for you, as when you rest, you recharge. REPEAT AFTER ME: Resting is productive.
Resting is where you let things settle so that you can receive the next impulse to follow a passion, urge or something that grabs you.
If you don't rest, you won't hear these urges as often.
Generators
As the powerhouse workers of Human Design, if you're a Generator, you thrive with consistent routines and steady momentum. However, running on empty will drain your precious energy over time.
You must be vigilant about following set schedules and not over-exerting yourself. You have boatloads of energy, but make sure to take regular breaks between deep work sessions. Eat meals at consistent times to keep your energy stable. Don't skip sleep or pull all-nighters which can throw off your rhythms.
As a being whose Sacral is running the show, it's imperative for you to listen to your inner authority before saying yes to new projects. Don't agree to anything that you don't truly resonate with. Anything that doesn't feel like a hell yes in your gut is a NO.
Stick to a reliable routine that honors your natural ebbs and flows. Don't let others dictate your schedule - run your day based on what works best for you.
By adopting sustainable work habits, as a Generator, you can avoid burnout. As with all types, it's so important for you to make sure you add rest into your routine. Your goal is to aim for consistency over time rather than pushing to exhaustion. The Generator's endurance comes from pacing yourself appropriately over the long haul and when partnered with ample downtime to recharge, Generators can sustain truly incredible output and productivity.
REPEAT AFTER ME: It's ok to rest.
Manifesting Generators
Manifesting Generators, friends - you have boundless energy when engaged in work that you find meaningful and you are energetically designed to be the multitaskers of society.
However, without adequate downtime to recharge, you're on the fast track to burning out. It is critical for you to be especially vigilant about taking breaks to relax, detach, and renew your spirit.
Don't constantly say "yes" to every project without discernment. Make sure to schedule rest periods into your calendar, otherwise your vigor for business can turn into exhaustion. Maintain self-care rituals that ground you and remember that time off is essential. Manifesting Generators who take downtime seriously can sustain their momentum and avoid burnout over the long-term.
Like Generators, it's important for you to break free of the pressure the world puts on you to be always doing and going. It is when you relax that you recharge your energy so that you're able to recognize that next step that lights you up on a sacral level.
REPEAT AFTER ME: I don't need to always be doing something.
Projectors
As visionary guides, Projectors are ninjas at seeing potential in others and mobilizing people into the next level. However, Projectors, you get bogged down easily when you try to act like a Generator.
If you're a Projector, you must avoid overwork by learning to delegate tasks and limit time spent on execution. Focus on the big picture vision and strategy rather than micromanaging operations. Your role is not doing but guiding the doing.
Make sure to conserve energy for the projects that truly inspire you. It's okay to say no to requests that don't fully resonate. And just to be clear: a maybe is a no. Not every opportunity is worth pursuing, so don't be afraid to be selective. Protect your time and avoid distractions, and use your Authority to decide whether an opportunity is worth pursuing.
Projectors work best in short bursts of intense focus followed by recharging. Your energy is inconsistent at best, which means that you're designed to be extremely efficient. You can finish in 1 hour what takes a Generator 4. But this means that you tire quickly, so make sure to schedule open periods where you can reflect and reset. Don't spread yourself thin on too many projects at once. Stay aligned with meaningful endeavors that ignite your passion.
By carefully managing their energy and following the strategy of waiting for the invitation, you Projectors can sustain your success and productivity without burnout. Make sure to focus on opportunities that light you up rather than deplete you. As always, it is important to delegate busywork to others and maintain space to guide strategy.
REPEAT AFTER ME: I'm here to guide, not DO.
Reflectors
As wise innovators, Reflectors need ample down time to process information before deciding on action. If you're a Reflector then you know that rushing into things and acting like a Generator will quickly deplete your energy.
Reflectors must resist pressure to constantly be "on" and productive. Make sure to schedule open space into each day for pondering and contemplating before moving forward. If you're presented with a new opportunity or idea, give yourself time to process. Some Reflectors need 1 or 2 lunar cycles to make aligned decisions, and this is correct for you. Take time to let concepts crystallize.
As a Reflector, you will thrive if you create space for yourself to tune out external noise and opinions to hear your inner truth. One of the hardest lessons for Reflectors is to go at your own unhurried pace rather than letting others dictate your speed. When you follow your own inner cycles, you will learn when you naturally have mental clarity vs when you need recharging.
By honoring your need for lengthy inward reflection, as a Reflector you can avoid burnout. Remember: don't force yourself to always be active. Let your ideas mature before acting and trust in your own timeline, and make decisions at the right moment rather than based on arbitrary external deadlines.
REPEAT AFTER ME: It's ok for me to take time.
It's an intentional choice to infuse your Human Design into your business and marketing strategy, and it's not one that a lot of entrepreneurs are making - which is why burnout is at an all time high.
Every energy type is designed to move through the world differently, and when you can learn to embrace YOURS, business, marketing, and even social media begin to feel more aligned.
Questions? Drop them below.
xoxo,
Jessica
