🧠the burnout fix: know your season
So here’s a question: Do you know what season your business is in right now?
I don’t mean the time of year—I’m talking about the stage your business is actually in. You’d be surprised how many people grind day after day without a clue if they’re in growth mode, maintenance mode, or need-to-simplify mode. They’re busy for sure, but half the time they’re just spinning their wheels. Knowing your season can be the difference between making moves that grow your business or moves that just drain your time and energy.
Let’s dive in and break this down so you’re not just “busy”—you’re making real progress.
Step 1: Recognize the Season
When we talk about seasons in business, we’re really talking about stages of focus. Here are the big ones:
Growth Mode: This is the time to expand, bring in new clients, scale up, and hire. In growth season, you’re pushing hard, taking risks, and putting in work to level up.
Stability Mode: You’ve grown, but now you need to stabilize. This season is all about making sure your systems and processes are solid. You’re working on improving quality, tightening your team, and maybe cleaning up any messes from fast growth.
Simplify Mode: Sometimes, business gets too bloated. Maybe you’ve added too many products or services, or maybe you’ve just got too much going on. This is the season to trim back, find the essentials, and refocus on what truly matters.
Knowing where you are isn’t just about keeping your business afloat—it’s about aligning your energy and time with what’s actually needed. When you try to operate in one season but act like you’re in another, that’s where burnout and frustration set in.
Step 2: Plan According to the Season
Alright, now that you know what season you’re in, it’s time to put together a plan that actually works for you, not against you. Here’s how to approach each season so you’re not wasting time on the wrong things.
If You’re in Growth Mode:
Focus on Revenue-Generating Activities: Make calls, get those client meetings, and launch marketing campaigns. This is where you need to be pushing hard.
Build the Team: Growth often means more work, and that means needing more hands on deck. Start adding to your team or find people to outsource to.
Say Yes More Often: Growth mode is the time to try new things. Take calculated risks to see what brings in the best results.
If You’re in Stability Mode:
Tighten Systems: Growth usually brings chaos, so this season is all about creating reliable systems and processes. Automate where you can, delegate, and build routines that keep things moving smoothly.
Check Your Metrics: Make sure you’re tracking what’s working and what isn’t. Stability mode is about improving efficiency and quality—not just doing more of everything.
Strengthen the Team: Now’s the time to make sure your team is functioning like a well-oiled machine. Give feedback, hold training sessions, and make sure everyone knows their role.
If You’re in Simplify Mode:
Cut the Fluff: Start looking for things that are taking up time without giving back value. Maybe it’s a product line, a service, or even an outdated process.
Refocus on Core Goals: Go back to basics. What are the key drivers of your business? Focus on those, and cut the rest.
Streamline the Team: If you’re doing too much or if your team is spread too thin, it might be time to reorganize. Everyone should be aligned with the current focus of the business.
Step 3: Get Clear and Act
Once you’ve identified your season and planned for it, it’s time to move forward. And here’s where clarity really kicks in. There’s a saying that goes, “Clarity equals power.” Knowing your season means you know exactly where to direct your energy, and that’s powerful. You stop feeling like you’re “not doing enough” and start seeing the results of being laser-focused on what matters most.
The problem is, most business owners are jumping between seasons without even realizing it. One day, they’re trying to grow, the next day they’re trying to cut back. It’s confusing for you and your team. So commit to acting based on the season you’re in and stick to it.
Final Thoughts
Look, every season in business is valuable. Growth, stability, and simplification are all essential at different times. Trying to force yourself into the wrong season isn’t just exhausting—it’s counterproductive. The key is knowing where you are and moving forward with purpose. When you do that, the results will speak for themselves.
So take a step back, figure out your season, and start making moves that actually make sense for where you’re at. That’s how you make every day count in business.
Remember: Clarity gives you the power to act with intention. That’s how you grow with purpose, not just hustle.
Now, go crush it.