The Curtain Falls: My Journey From Burnout to Balance
From Burnout to Balance
Running a performing arts school franchise was a dream come true for me. As an ex-performer, it wasn't just a business; it was a huge part of my identity. I poured my heart and soul into it, getting so much fulfillment and creative satisfaction from organising events and creating incredible performance opportunities for my students. I genuinely loved my team and the wonderful kids and their families, and that made it incredibly hard to switch off.
The passion was a double-edged sword. The nature of the business meant that my weekends were totally dedicated to work. My partner, who worked a traditional 9-to-5, and I found ourselves spending very little quality time together. Add to that the intense periods of work surrounding shows and events, my social life dwindled to almost nothing. Despite enjoying the success of the business and feeling proud of what I had achieved, I had a constant, nagging worry in the back of my mind, always trying to anticipate what might go wrong or just knowing the long list of jobs that had to be done. I would constantly live in the future “life will be quieter once this show is out of the way”… etc… etc… but that quiet never came.
It wasn't until COVID-19 hit and lockdown forced the world to pause that the harsh reality set in. Suddenly, the relentless pace stopped, and I was confronted with just how utterly burnt out I was. The exhaustion was physical and emotional; I realised the toll the past 3 years had taken on my mind, body and spirit. It was a wake-up call I desperately needed.
Learning to Spot the Red Flags (in Hindsight)
Looking back, the signs were all there, waving frantically. I was always tired, even after a full night's sleep. My passion for the day-to-day grind was fading, replaced by a constant feeling of being overwhelmed and my focus felt like it was constantly in a fog.
These are the same red flags I now encourage other female business owners to watch out for:
Chronic exhaustion: Beyond just being tired, it's a persistent, deep fatigue.
Loss of passion or motivation: The spark for your business dims.
Irritability and a short temper: Small frustrations become big blow-ups.
Difficulty concentrating or "brain fog": Your mind just feels cluttered.
Neglecting self-care: Your own well-being takes a back seat.
How a Coach Helped Me Rewrite My Story
Once the dust of lockdown settled, I knew I couldn't go back to the way things were. That's when I started working with my own coach, and it was transformative. She helped me process what had happened and, crucially, understand how to build a business that worked for me, not the other way around.
Working with a coach can be an absolute game-changer for any business owner teetering on the edge of burnout, or even just looking for sustainable growth. They help you:
Spot those early triggers: Understanding your personal signs of burnout.
Create boundaries that stick: Learning to say "no" and protect your time.
Strategise for sustainable growth: Developing systems that support you, not drain you.
Reignite your passion: Reconnecting with why you started your business.
Prioritise YOU: Because a healthy business needs a healthy leader.
My New Chapter: Work on My Terms
Since then, my approach to work has completely changed. My partner and family are now my absolute priority, and I refuse to judge my personal worth by how busy or "successful" I appear to be. Work now operates on my terms, with clear boundaries and a focus on impact over endless hours.
To all the incredible female business owners out there: please, pay attention to the whispers before they become shouts. Your well-being is your greatest asset. Let's build businesses that thrive, powered by our energy and passion, not at the expense of our health and happiness.
Honouring Your Artistic Soul in Business
My work with business owners goes beyond just strategy; it's about helping you embrace your whole self and live a rich, well-rounded life that celebrates all aspects of your journey.
That picture is one of my professional headshots from over 20 years ago, when I was first starting out as an actor and performer. In some ways, it feels like yesterday, in others it seems a lifetime away.
As an ex-performer myself, and having run my own successful franchise of performing arts schools, I understand deeply the unique challenges facing artists and creatives who transition into the business world. My journey has given me first-hand experience of the passion and dedication that creative individuals pour into their ventures. I've witnessed how this deep connection can sometimes lead to a blurring of lines between work and personal life. When your business is an extension of your artistic soul, surrendering control and delegating tasks can feel daunting. It can be difficult to trust others to execute your vision with the same level of care and precision.
The transition from performer to business owner can feel like a complete identity shift. The work I have been doing recently with ex-performer clients has included questions like:
How do I keep creativity alive in my daily work?
Who am I now that I'm no longer performing?
How can I honour my past self while building a new future?
Where does artistic fulfillment fit into my business life?
The years of training and dedication become an integral part of who you are, and it's vital to acknowledge and integrate that identity, rather than tucking it away.
The Benefits of Working with a Business Coach
Working with a business coach can provide invaluable support as you navigate these challenges. A coach can help you:
Develop strategies for time management and work-life balance: Creating clear boundaries can help you protect your personal time and prevent burnout.
Identify and overcome limiting beliefs: Sometimes, our own beliefs about control and perfectionism can hold us back. A coach can help you challenge these beliefs and develop a more empowering mindset.
Build a strong team and delegate effectively: Learning to trust and empower others is crucial for sustainable growth. A coach can provide guidance on how to build a team you can rely on.
Maintain your creative spark: A coach can help you find ways to integrate your artistic passions into your business, ensuring that your work remains fulfilling.
Gain clarity and focus: A coach can help you define your vision, set clear goals, and develop a roadmap for achieving them.
My work with business owners goes beyond just strategy; it's about helping you embrace your whole self and live a rich, well-rounded life that celebrates all aspects of your journey.
If this resonates with you, I'd love to hear your story.
Are you stopping your business from growing?
Is getting stuck in the weeds holding up your business growth?
🌿 When you are growing and scaling a business, it’s easy to get stuck in the weeds… 🍃 🌿
This has come up with a couple of clients this week, so thought I would share my thoughts on this and some of Brene Brown's wisdom too.
The time comes when in order to progress you are going to have to delegate tasks and release control of some aspects of your business.
I know from experience that delegating tasks can feel like a leap of faith - especially if YOU built this thing from nothing and are understandably emotionally attached to it. Doing those “weedy” jobs can often be what is holding us back from the next level of success. But being in the weeds can often feel safe, cosy and familiar; even if you don’t actually like those jobs.
🥇 This is where the gold is! 🥇
Releasing these tasks and delegating them to others is going to free you up to do the more important and strategic work. It will feel uncomfortable at first, but that is how you know it’s the right thing.
💪 Personal growth for you and actual growth for your business. 📈
When thinking about and implementing delegation, step back and take a wider view. What knowledge do you need to share in order for this to be successful?
To assist clients with this thinking, I often share Brené Brown's insightful "5 C's" framework – Colour, Context, Connective Tissue, Cost, and Consequence – I find it offers a powerful lens through which small business owners can approach delegation with greater clarity and confidence.
🎨 Colour: Clear specifics of the task and desired outcome.
❓ Context: Why the task matters within the bigger business picture.
⛓️ Connective Tissue: Necessary relationships and communication for success.
💷 Cost: Resources and potential trade-offs involved in delegation.
🔨 Consequence: Potential positive and negative impacts of the task.
This framework can assist you to release control and step into the next phase of growth in your business.
Remember… (as Brene says) CLEAR IS KIND. Giving your team clarity and sharing this level of detail with your team is going to ensure everyone has what they need in order to operate in this new way.
How do you feel about releasing control? How easy do you find it to delegate? Is your getting stuck in the weeds preventing the business from growing? Let me know or pop me a message.
Two Years On… Lessons Learnt Since Selling My Franchise Business
It all begins with an idea.
(and how I now apply those to continuing to build my coaching business)
The Immediate Aftermath: The Importance of an Enforced Break
Deciding to take a mandatory two-month break from all work was crucial for my sanity and recovery!
This enforced rest helped combat self-criticism about "laziness" and reduced decision fatigue.
It provided invaluable space for restoration, reflection, and genuine relaxation.
Shifting Perspectives: Unlearning Habits / Reduced Anxiety
Sixteen years in a franchise creates deeply ingrained habits, processes, and mindsets.
Untangling from these required conscious effort and time, like "rewiring" my brain. Coming to terms with the fact I wasn’t feeling a constant, nagging worry was harder than you’d think!
The absence of the constant dread I had become accustomed to was a significant relief.
The specific pressures and anxieties from that time were lifted, fostering calm and control which enabled me to research and embrace new approaches and possibilities.
Well-being and Burnout: Prioritising Self-Care
I know first-hand that the intensity of long-term business ownership can lead to burnout with lasting effects.
I now have a heightened awareness of early warning signs and know how important it is to prioritise my well-being.
This experience fosters deeper empathy for my current coaching clients who are facing similar challenges and enables me to provide them with a toolbox of sustainable practices.
Transferable Skills: Leveraging Past Experiences
The hard-learnt lessons from running that business are now directly applicable to my coaching business.
But I also understand the pressures, triumphs, and resilience required in business; which allows for deeper client connection and experience-based guidance.
Renewed Priorities: Rebalancing Life
The constant demands of my old business often relegated important things like family, friends, and leisure time.
I am now able to consciously carve out time for loved ones and fun and leisure is now a priority. A balanced, fulfilled life is my focus.
Rebuilding Connection: Addressing the Loss of Team Collaboration
I genuinely (still!) miss the collaboration and the team I built within the franchise business.
I now know the importance of being proactive in my efforts to recreate this through networking, masterminds, and community building within the coaching profession.
These things also enable and enhance my learning and continued professional development, which is essential in order for me to be the best possible coach I can be for my clients.
All these things reinforce the importance of connection and shared experiences. Being self-employed can be lonely!
Personal Growth: Investing in Self-Development
The sale of the business was undoubtedley a catalyst for significant personal growth.
By investing in coaching & training, reading and committing to a meditation practice my personal development has been transformative and is an ongoing process.
All this learning enables me to serve the clients in my coaching practice in a powerful way.
Redefining Worth: Beyond Productivity
A crucial (and hard!) lesson learned is to not equate my personal worth with productivity. This is an ongoing battle I fight with myself - but I know when I practice self-compassion I actually achieve more and my self worth deepens.
My previous relentless need to always be "doing" has been replaced by an appreciation for rest, reflection, meditation and presence.
Managing Expectations: Understanding the Long Game
Remembering the peaks and troughs of running my old business can provide me with perspective now - especially when things feel difficult.
I am able to remind myself that growth isn't always linear. This can then serve to foster patience and resilience in navigating the inevitable ups and downs of self employment.
A New Chapter: Continuous Growth and Future Potential
Selling the franchise was a significant closing of one chapter and the opening of a fulfilling new one.
The lessons learned over the past two years are invaluable, shaping both my coaching business and the approach to life.
These lessons also enable me to support my clients with empathy, lived experience and compassion for their journeys.
For me, it's a journey of continuous growth, focusing on balance and loads of excitement for the future!