Supporting Your Team Without Burning Yourself Out

Let's talk about something that's probably keeping some of you up at night: what happens when your company hits a rough patch?

I get it. When things get tough, there's this overwhelming urge to roll up your sleeves, work longer hours, and basically throw yourself on the sword to help save the day. Your loyalty kicks in, and suddenly you're the first one in and the last one out, saying yes to everything that comes across your desk.

But here's the thing—and I say this with love—your heroic efforts could actually backfire if you're not careful. Burnout is real, and it doesn't discriminate. It'll take down the most dedicated, hardworking professional just as quickly as anyone else.

So how do you stay loyal to your team without sacrificing yourself in the process? Let me share some strategies that have worked for me and the bookkeepers I work with.

Get Crystal Clear Before You Say Yes

When someone approaches you with a new project or responsibility during challenging times, resist the urge to immediately say, "Sure, I'll handle it!" I know you want to help. I know you want to be seen as a team player. But pause for a moment.

Before you commit to anything new, you need specifics. And I mean real specifics, not vague hand-waving about "just helping out."

Ask these questions:

• What's the actual objective here?

• How will we measure success?

• What exactly will be required of me?

• Realistically, how many hours will this take per week?

• What's the timeline?

  
  

Once you have clear answers to these questions, then you can make an informed decision about whether this is something you can genuinely take on without compromising your well-being or your core responsibilities.

This isn't about being difficult. It's about being realistic. You can't pour from an empty cup, and you can't help your company if you're running on fumes.

Learn the Art of the Gracious "No"

Here's where things get tricky. Sometimes, even after getting all the details, you realize that taking on this new role or project would mean your primary responsibilities would suffer. And that's when you need to say no.

I know, I know. Saying no when your company is struggling feels almost impossible. But stick with me here.

The key is to frame your "no" in terms of what's best for everyone—not just you. Focus on the bigger picture and the strategic impact.

For example, you might say: "I really appreciate you thinking of me for this marketing initiative. However, if I devote time to marketing at this juncture, it will take away from my ability to focus on revenue generation, which is critical to all of us right now. I want to make sure I'm having the biggest possible impact where it matters most."

See what happened there? You acknowledged the request, explained your reasoning in business terms, and positioned your decision as being in the company's best interest. That's not selfish—that's strategic.

Protect Your Time Like It's Your Most Valuable Asset (Because It Is)

When your company is in crisis mode, there's this tendency for everything to feel urgent. Every meeting becomes "critical." Every request becomes "just this once." And before you know it, your calendar looks like a game of Tetris gone wrong.

You need to find small but meaningful ways to protect your time, and then—this is crucial—communicate those boundaries clearly.

Here's what this looks like in practice:

• Block time on your calendar for focused work. Treat these blocks like actual meetings. Because they are—meetings with yourself to get your most important work done.

• Be selective about which meetings you attend. Ask yourself: Is my presence truly necessary? Will I add value, or am I just a warm body in the room? If it's the latter, politely decline or ask for meeting notes instead.

• Proactively share your schedule. Don't wait for people to get frustrated when you're not available. Let your team know when you're in deep work mode, when you're available for quick questions, and when you're completely offline.

I'll be honest with you: limiting your availability when your company is struggling can feel uncomfortable. You might worry about appearing uncommitted or unsupportive. That's why communication is absolutely key.

Try something like: "I'm blocking 9-11 AM each day for focused work on our Q4 projections. I'll be offline during that time, but I'm available for urgent matters after 11 and happy to schedule time to discuss anything that comes up."

You're not disappearing. You're being intentional about how you spend your time so you can deliver your best work.

Remember: You're Playing the Long Game

Here's something I want you to really hear: burning yourself out doesn't help anyone.

Not your company. Not your team. And certainly not you.

If you push yourself to the point of exhaustion, you'll eventually hit a wall. And when that happens, you won't be able to help your company navigate through the tough times—because you'll be too busy trying to put yourself back together.

Being loyal to your team doesn't mean sacrificing your health, your relationships, or your sanity. It means showing up as your best self, setting realistic boundaries, and being strategic about where you invest your energy.

Your company needs you to be sustainable, not superhuman.

You've Got This

Tough times at work are stressful, no question about it. But you can be both loyal to your team and kind to yourself. It's not an either-or situation.

Get clear on expectations before you commit. Say no when necessary, and frame it strategically. Protect your time and communicate your boundaries.

And most importantly, remember that taking care of yourself isn't selfish—it's smart business.

You're in this for the long haul. Make sure you have the energy to see it through.

Stay strong, stay balanced, and as always, be kind to yourself.

Until next time,