You’ve got a to-do list longer than your arm. You’re skipping meals, juggling deadlines, and still lying awake at night thinking about what didn’t get done. If that sounds familiar, it’s time to stop and reassess.
An unsustainable workload doesn’t just impact your productivity - it chips away at your health, your business, and your life. So how do you know when your capacity has been maxed out?
Signs Your Workload Isn’t Working for You
1. You’re Always Exhausted
You wake up tired. You go to bed tired. And everything in between feels like a slog. If there’s never any energy left in the tank, something’s got to give.
2. You’ve Lost Your Spark
The stuff that used to excite you now feels like another box to tick. You’re not lazy - you’re overloaded. And that’s a fast track to burnout.
3. Decisions Feel Impossible
Big or small, you’re struggling to make choices. That mental fog isn’t indecision, it’s a sign your brain is in survival mode.
4. Focus? What Focus?
You’re staring at your screen, jumping between tabs, forgetting what you were doing. When your brain can’t keep up, it’s because you’re asking it to do too much.
5. Stress Is Your New Normal
A little stress is part of the job. But when it feels constant - like your shoulders haven’t relaxed in weeks - it’s time to check in with yourself.
6. Your Life Outside Work? What Life?
You’re skipping social plans, missing workouts, saying “maybe next week” to everything that used to bring you joy. That’s not sustainable, and it’s not success.
7. You Can’t Sleep
You’re waking up at 2am thinking about invoices. Or lying in bed mentally rewriting tomorrow’s client email. Poor sleep is a sign your nervous system is stuck in overdrive.
8. Your Body Is Sending Signals
Headaches. Muscle tension. Tummy issues. These aren’t random—they’re your body’s way of telling you it’s under pressure.
So, What Can You Do About It?
Delegate the Right Tasks
Stop doing everything. Let someone else take care of the repetitive, time-draining admin. A virtual assistant can take entire categories of work off your plate - from inbox wrangling to calendar management.
Take Micro Breaks
Step away from the laptop. Even a five-minute reset can bring your nervous system back down and help you refocus.
Break Things Into Smaller Wins
Set realistic, achievable goals. And celebrate progress, even if it’s just clearing your inbox or finishing a draft.
Prioritise Your Health Like It’s a Client
Fuel your body. Move it. Let it rest. Because you can’t run a successful business if you’re running on empty.
Overwhelm Isn’t a Badge of Honour
If your workload is hurting your health, relationships, or mindset, it’s time to rethink the way you’re working.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Let’s chat about how a VA could help lift the weight. Book a discovery call today and find out what it feels like to finally get some breathing room.
