What are the best ways for small business owners to handle stress and avoid burnout with their demanding work schedules?

Small business owners can take practical steps to manage stress and avoid burnout. One of the most important things you can do is establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. This helps create a healthier balance and ensures you're not always "on the clock." Another key strategy is to delegate tasks - handing off responsibilities when possible allows you to focus on what truly matters. Building healthy routines is equally essential. Regular exercise, mindfulness activities like meditation, and short breaks throughout the day can do wonders for your mental clarity. Carving out time for hobbies or spending quality moments with family and friends can also boost your energy and morale. By making self-care a priority and managing your time wisely, you can stay productive while safeguarding both your mental and physical health.

What are some practical ways for small business owners to delegate tasks and use technology to lighten their workload?

Small business owners can lighten their workload by delegating tasks wisely and making the most of technology tools. Start by pinpointing tasks that are repetitive or take up too much time - these are often perfect for handing off to team members or outsourcing. Using tools like project management software or automation platforms can make it easier to assign tasks, monitor progress, and keep communication clear. If you're unsure what to delegate, try the Eisenhower Matrix. This technique organizes tasks based on their urgency and importance, helping you focus on what truly needs your attention. High-priority tasks stay on your plate, while less critical ones can be delegated or automated. By blending thoughtful delegation with the right tech, you can free up time, lower stress, and keep your business running smoothly.

How do the size and type of a small business affect how many hours an owner works each week?

The size and nature of a small business heavily influence how many hours an owner puts in each week. Take solo business owners, for instance - those managing everything on their own or running smaller operations often clock over 50 hours a week. Why? Because they’re juggling multiple roles without much outside help. On the other hand, owners of larger small businesses, with more staff or resources, can delegate tasks, which often lightens their workload. The industry also plays a big part. High-demand fields like food service or retail usually require a more hands-on approach, keeping owners busy for longer hours. In contrast, industries such as consulting or online services might allow for greater flexibility. In short, running a smaller or solo business often means longer workweeks compared to having a bigger team or well-established systems to share the load.

How Many Hours Do Small Business Owners Really Work a Week?

Small business owners often work far beyond the standard 40-hour week. Research shows:

33% work over 50 hours weekly, and 39% exceed 60 hours.
70% work on weekends, and many check in during vacations.
Administrative tasks alone consume 36% of their workweek.
Solo entrepreneurs often spend 68.1% of their time on daily operations.

While the ideal workweek for most owners is 41.7 hours, the reality is much higher due to demands like industry-specific tasks, limited staff, and constant management. Delegation and technology can help reduce workloads, but burnout remains a challenge for many. Balancing work and personal life is key to long-term success.

How to Plan Your Perfect Week as a Small Business Owner

Average Hours Worked by Small Business Owners

When it comes to small business owners, the workweek often stretches well beyond the typical 40-hour standard.

Weekly Work Hours: The Numbers

Data paints a clear picture: many small business owners put in more hours than the average full-time employee in the U.S., who works around 42.45 hours per week ^[6]. Surveys highlight this trend, with one reporting that business owners work nearly twice as much as regular employees ^[1], while another pegs their average at 45.5 hours weekly ^[8].

The numbers below offer a glimpse into how small business owners' workweeks are distributed:

Weekly Hours	Percentage of Small Business Owners
30-39 hours	5%
40-49 hours	33%
50-59 hours	30%
60+ hours	19%

Interestingly, only 33% of small business owners fall within the traditional 40-49 hour range ^[2]. A significant 58% clock at least 50 hours per week ^[7], and 19% report working over 60 hours, according to Gallup ^[1]. These figures underscore the intense commitment required to run a small business.

How Industry and Business Size Affect Hours

The type of business and its size play a big role in shaping how much time owners spend working. Service-based businesses often demand more hands-on involvement, while retail businesses can experience fluctuations tied to seasonal trends.

Administrative tasks alone consume about 36% of an average entrepreneur's workweek ^[8], though this can vary depending on the industry. Solo entrepreneurs, in particular, bear the brunt of the workload, juggling everything from daily operations to long-term planning. On average, they spend 68.1% of their time working "in" their business - handling immediate tasks - and just 31.9% working "on" their business, focusing on growth and strategy ^[3].

Even with delegation, owners still dedicate significant time to management, strategy, and development. Newer businesses tend to demand even more of their owners' time, while more established businesses with efficient systems may allow for a slight reduction in hours. However, the reality is that most small business owners rarely settle into a standard 40-hour workweek. The constant need to adapt to market demands and seize growth opportunities keeps their schedules packed, making it a challenge to balance professional and personal priorities.

What Affects How Much Business Owners Work

Several factors play a role in shaping how many hours small business owners dedicate to their work. These include the specific demands of the industry, the size of the business and its staffing situation, as well as the use of technology and delegation. Together, these elements influence both the intensity and distribution of a business owner's workload.

Industry Requirements and Demands

The type of business you operate has a major impact on your weekly schedule. For instance, retail owners often need to align their hours with extended store operations, while restaurant owners may work split shifts to cover busy meal times. Seasonal businesses face additional fluctuations - landscaping company owners often work long hours during peak seasons, while tax preparers experience a surge in workload from January to April, followed by a quieter summer.

Business Size and Staff Impact

Beyond industry-specific demands, the size and staffing of a business also dictate daily responsibilities. Solo entrepreneurs, for example, bear the brunt of every task, from customer service to marketing and bookkeeping. Even when staff is hired, delegation can be a challenge. A study found that 70% of UK business owners prefer to handle all tasks themselves, citing reasons such as feeling they can do it better (30%), a lack of skilled employees (20%), urgency (20%), and personal satisfaction (19%)^[1]. Limited cash flow often compounds the problem, preventing owners from hiring additional help. This can lead to a cycle of overwork, which not only stifles business growth but also strains company culture, reduces productivity, and increases employee turnover rates^[9].

Technology and Task Delegation Effects

Technology and delegation are game-changers for reducing workloads. Business owners who excel at delegation see an average revenue growth of 143%, compared to 80% for those who don’t^[8]. Additionally, 85% of these owners report higher profits, versus 74% of their peers^[8].

One of the biggest time drains for business owners is email management, which can consume up to 28% of the workweek^[10]. Tools like Slack can boost team productivity by 49%^[5], while automation can handle repetitive tasks such as data entry, scheduling, invoicing, and email marketing. This allows owners to focus on activities that directly contribute to business growth.

Barnaby Lashbrooke, a serial entrepreneur and CEO of Time etc, highlights the importance of prioritizing high-value tasks:

If you're running a business, never be under the illusion that you're better off doing administrative work yourself. Your time is among the most valuable in the business, so you need to be focused on tasks that directly contribute growth, and little else. Downtime is best treated as sacred, and used to focus on health, wellbeing, and relationships, or you're dicing with burnout. ^[8]

Tasks that are commonly delegated include email management, bookkeeping, bill payments, content creation, social media posting, design work, calendar management, and data entry^[10]. By offloading these responsibilities, business owners can dedicate their energy to strategic initiatives that drive growth.

Work-Life Balance and Owner Health

Running a small business isn’t just about managing operations - it often comes with a steep personal cost. Even with tools and delegation to lighten the load, many business owners find it hard to draw a clear line between work and personal life. This constant overlap can take a serious toll on both physical and mental well-being.

Stress and Burnout Rates

Owning a small business can be incredibly taxing on personal health. Studies show that stress levels among small business owners are consistently higher than anticipated ^[1]. And this isn’t the kind of stress that comes and goes - it’s chronic, often leading to physical and emotional challenges that can hinder performance.

Some of the most common signs of stress include impatience (21%), insomnia (19%), forgetfulness (13%), mood swings (8%), restlessness (7%), boredom (5%), and temper outbursts (4%). These symptoms aren’t just inconvenient - they’re red flags for burnout. And burnout doesn’t just affect the individual; it can also cloud judgment and hurt business outcomes.

The struggle to disconnect is another clear indicator of stress. For example, only 57% of small business owners take vacations, and among those who do, 67% still check in with work at least once a day ^[1]. This inability to fully step away prevents the kind of recovery that’s essential for long-term health and productivity. Chronic stress like this highlights how far reality often is from the ideal work-life balance.

Preferred vs. Actual Work Hours

The disconnect between how much small business owners want to work and how much they actually work is significant. A staggering 79% of owners feel they’re putting in too many hours ^[4]. On top of that, 97% admit to working on weekends, with 40% saying they do so "always" or "often" ^[4]. This constant grind erodes the natural rhythm between work and downtime.

While many owners understand the value of balance - 51% say it’s essential to their success ^[1] - the demands of running a business often make it hard to achieve. Long hours don’t just wear on personal health; they can also strain relationships with family and friends, creating a ripple effect on overall well-being.

How to Manage Your Workload Better

Feeling overwhelmed by work? With the right mix of delegation, smart tech, and clear boundaries, you can turn an unmanageable workload into something far more manageable. Let’s dive into how.

Delegating Tasks to Others

Delegation is a game-changer for reducing your workload, but letting go can be tough. Many business owners hesitate, fearing a loss of control. However, sharing responsibilities not only lightens your load but also empowers your team and lets you focus on bigger goals.

Delegating is when you reassign work to other team members because it's more relevant to their workstreams and priorities. - Julia Martins ^[11]

Start by identifying repetitive tasks and assigning them to team members whose strengths align with those duties. For example, routine admin work, customer service responses, and standard procedures are all great starting points. Begin with simpler tasks to build trust and confidence for both you and your team.

Matching tasks to your team’s strengths is key. When people work on what they’re good at - and are given room to grow - they’re more engaged and satisfied. Be clear when handing off tasks: explain the context, set realistic deadlines, and define what success looks like. This clarity minimizes confusion and reduces the need for constant follow-ups.

Check in occasionally, but don’t hover. Focus on the results, not the process. A great example of this approach is Operation Verve, which acted as a Virtual Chief Operations Officer for various teams in 2024. Their method helped boost productivity and independence, freeing business owners to focus on growth instead of getting stuck in day-to-day operations.

Once you’ve mastered delegation, technology can take your efficiency to the next level.

Using Technology to Save Time

Technology can be a lifesaver, especially for automating repetitive tasks. Did you know the average entrepreneur spends up to 16 hours a week on mundane processes? Imagine reclaiming that time for strategic work ^[12].

For instance, AI chatbots can handle customer inquiries, FAQs, and even appointment scheduling. On the financial side, tools like AI-powered accounting software can automatically categorize expenses, reconcile accounts, and generate reports. A recent study showed that Intuit Assist Beta users who used AI-generated invoice reminders got paid five days faster compared to those using standard reminders ^[13].

The numbers speak volumes: 70% of small businesses believe AI levels the playing field with larger competitors, over 60% say it saves time, and 45% report better forecasting accuracy ^[13]. These tools aren’t just convenient - they’re transformative.

Setting Work Limits and Focusing on Priorities

Delegation and tech can only do so much if you don’t set boundaries. Without limits, work will creep into every corner of your life, leading to stress and burnout.

Start by defining your work hours. Use calendar alerts to signal when you’re off the clock, and communicate these boundaries to everyone - colleagues, clients, even family. If possible, create a dedicated workspace to reinforce the divide between work and personal life.

Stop work at your predetermined designated time; don't work overtime if you're not mandated to do so. Consider making a strict rule to not take work calls or read emails on the weekends. - Alan Deibel, licensed clinical professional counselor at Grow Therapy ^[14]

Focus on what truly matters by prioritizing high-impact tasks. Categorize work by urgency and importance, tackling the most critical items first. Break large projects into smaller steps to keep your momentum going. And don’t be afraid to say no to commitments that don’t align with your goals or cut into personal time. This could mean skipping unnecessary meetings or delegating tasks that others can handle.

Make downtime non-negotiable. Block off time for hobbies, family, and relaxation - just as you would for a business meeting. Research shows that businesses prioritizing work-life balance see an 85% boost in productivity and a 50% reduction in healthcare costs ^[15]. When leaders set healthy boundaries, it fosters a positive culture that benefits everyone.

Self-care isn’t optional. Regular exercise, good sleep, and mental health practices are essential for staying sharp and creative.

It's important to protect your time, space and sanity, and the only way to realistically do this is to set boundaries for yourself. - Alan Deibel, licensed clinical professional counselor at Grow Therapy ^[14]

Improving workload management doesn’t happen overnight. Start small - delegate one task, try a new tech tool, or set stricter work hours. These small, consistent changes will add up, transforming not just your business but your overall well-being.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance Between Work Hours and Success

Running a small business is often more complex than it appears. While many entrepreneurs put in long hours, success doesn’t have to mean working late into the night every day.

The real challenge lies in how time is divided among different business activities. Many owners spend the bulk of their time on daily operations, leaving little for strategic planning. This imbalance is compounded by the fact that 40% of business owners don’t have an effective annual operating plan, creating a cycle where they end up working harder instead of smarter ^[3].

Interestingly, while the average entrepreneur hopes to work around 41.7 hours a week, they often find themselves exceeding that number significantly ^[3].

Whether your personal vision of success includes increased profits, a wider sphere of influence, or simply more time with family and friends, better time management will help you reach your goals. - David Scarola ^[3]

This highlights an important takeaway: success isn’t about how many hours you work, but how intentionally you use those hours. Balancing intense work with intentional rest is essential for long-term success.

When approached thoughtfully, effective time management can improve both business outcomes and personal well-being. In fact, 73% of business owners say they enjoy more flexibility compared to working for someone else ^[2]. The strategies we’ve explored - like strategic planning, delegating tasks, using technology, and setting boundaries - are the tools to make this balance a reality.

Owning a business requires tenacity, commitment and resilience but it can open portals for entrepreneurs to create a life that aligns with their values. Financial stability, fulfillment and work-life balance can especially become more tangible realities for people who own their own business. - Elizabeth Ayoola, personal finance expert at NerdWallet ^[16]FAQs