Burnout? B.Y.E. Reassess These 4 Things to Bring the Joy Back to Biz
Link and resources mentioned:
- Our beef with boundaries: https://player.captivate.fm/episode/4376edf4-a304-4b5d-a1ac-f9f36af55f54/
When most people think of Marie Kondo, they picture neatly folded clothes, tidy drawers, and someone whispering thank you to a sweater before donating it. But what if that same philosophy could completely transform your business?
That’s exactly what we’ve discovered. As entrepreneurs, we’re often told to do more, offer more, and be everywhere all at once. But that kind of growth—if left unchecked—can quickly turn into chaos, burnout, and a business that feels more draining than joyful.
Inspired by The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, we’ve been rethinking how to run a business that feels lighter, more aligned, and yes—more joyful. And here’s the thing: the same way you’d declutter a closet, you can declutter your business.
Here’s how.
Step 1: Only Keep the Offers That Spark Joy (and Results)
Most entrepreneurs start with one offer and before long, they’re juggling five. Or seven. Or more. It’s easy to fall into the trap of adding “just one more” service every time a client asks for something new. But every new offer comes with new workflows, marketing strategies, and delivery challenges.
We’ve been there. And what we’ve found is that trimming your offer suite down to a few core, high-impact offers doesn’t limit you, it frees you.
When you stop offering things out of obligation or scarcity, you create space for clarity. For depth. For mastery. And ironically, that’s when your business starts to grow in a way that feels good.
So ask yourself: which offers light you up? Which ones feel aligned with where you want to go? If an offer no longer serves you (or your ideal client), it might be time to thank it and let it go.
Step 2: Set Boundaries That Protect Your Energy
Boundaries aren’t just about saying no—they’re about saying yes to the right things.
As service providers, it’s tempting to bend over backward for every client request, every last-minute ask, or every DMs-at-midnight situation. But when we constantly override our own needs to meet everyone else’s, we end up resenting the business we’ve built.
Setting boundaries doesn’t mean being rigid or cold. It means designing a business that respects your time, your energy, and your humanity.
For us, that’s looked like defining response times, tightening our client onboarding, and letting go of any guilt about not being “always on.” Your energy is your most important asset. Protecting it isn’t selfish—it’s smart.
Step 3: Simplify Your Content Strategy (You Don’t Have to Be Everywhere)
Let’s talk content. The pressure to be everywhere—Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, LinkedIn, Pinterest—is real. But here’s the truth: spreading yourself thin across every platform doesn’t guarantee success. It often just guarantees exhaustion.
We’ve simplified our content by focusing on the platforms that actually connect with our audience and generate results. That means fewer posts with more purpose. Less busywork, more impact.
Ask yourself: where are your clients really spending time? What kind of content actually moves the needle? Let the rest go. You don’t need to be everywhere—you just need to be intentional.
Step 4: Focus on Metrics That Matter
Vanity metrics—likes, follows, views—are easy to chase. But real growth comes from tracking what actually matters: conversions, engagement, client retention, and how you feel in your business.
We’ve stopped obsessing over performance on every single post and started asking: did this piece of content drive conversations? Did it help someone feel seen? Did it lead to a sale or build trust?
Marie Kondo taught us that joy is a valid metric. That you don’t have to keep something just because you once invested in it. That letting go isn’t loss—it’s clarity. And we believe the same applies to your business.
If something feels heavy, cluttered, or disconnected, it’s okay to release it. It’s okay to pivot. It’s okay to want a business that doesn’t run you into the ground. In fact, that might just be the smartest, most sustainable move you can make.
So here’s your permission slip to tidy up. To realign. To build something you actually enjoy showing up for. Because joy isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s a growth strategy.
