How to Avoid End-of-Year Burnout Without Dropping the Ball

By James Fleming, Founder & MD, The Power Within Training

 

It’s mid-November. Your inbox is a war zone. Your phone hasn’t stopped buzzing since 6am. Another client wants a pre-Christmas meeting. Someone’s asking if the office Secret Santa has a spending limit. Meanwhile, you’re still trying to close sales, wrap up projects, and get 2026 planning done, all while pretending you’re full of festive cheer.

Sound familiar? You’re not alone.
Every business owner and leader I know hits this point; the year-end squeeze. And if you’re anything like me, you’re probably telling yourself: “Just push through. I’ll rest in January.”

Here’s the truth: that thinking is exactly why so many leaders limp into Christmas exhausted, resentful and unable to switch off. I know, because I’ve been there. I still work long hours, often six days a week with my wife and business partner, Enas. But over the years I’ve learned a better way to finish the year strong, without burning myself out completely.

Here’s what’s helping me (and what I teach the leaders we work with at The Power Within Training).

 

Stop Running on Adrenaline

The end of the year has a weird energy. Suddenly every deadline is “urgent”. Clients want everything wrapped before the holidays. Your team are mentally half in 2026. And your brain is a mix of “let’s smash it” and “I’m done”.

When we run on adrenaline, we make short-term decisions and long-term mistakes. Slow down enough to ask:

• What actually has to be finished this year?
• What can wait until January without the world ending?
• Where am I spending energy on low-value work just because it’s loud?

This pause alone can save you from the January burnout hangover.

 

Stop Treating Overwork Like a Badge of Honour

I’ve been guilty of this. Long hours can feel noble, especially if you’ve built your business from nothing like I have. But burning out doesn’t make you a hero. It just makes you tired, distracted, and less effective. Your team see it. Your family feel it. Clients notice it too.

I still put the hours in (running a fast-growing business demands it), but I now protect my energy like a business asset:

• Blocking out time to think (yes, in the diary).
• Saying no to meetings that add nothing.
• Making exercise non-negotiable (for me it’s the gym at lunchtime; keeps me sane!).

Ditch the “Everything Must Be Done Before Christmas” Myth

Somewhere along the line, business started acting like the world ends on 24 December. It doesn’t. January is still there.

Leaders burn out because they try to cram two months’ worth of strategy, sales and admin into one. Ask yourself: Does this really need done now, or am I just feeding the chaos? Your future self will thank you for spacing the load.

 

Use Motivational Intelligence to Reframe Stress

Our whole business is built around Motivational Intelligence (MQ), the science of how people respond to setbacks, pressure and change.

High-MQ leaders don’t just grind through; they pause, reframe and adapt. They ask:

“What’s the highest-value thing I can do right now?” instead of “How do I just get through this list?”

If your mindset is “just survive December”, you’ll limp into the new year exhausted. If your mindset is “how do I finish strong and start 2026 clear?”, you’ll make smarter choices.

 

Look After the People Looking After Your Business

Here’s the thing about leadership: your team are watching you. If you’re running on fumes, they think that’s the standard.

Give them clarity; what matters most in these final weeks?

Encourage breaks and time off, you’ll need them fresh in January.

Model calm where you can. You don’t have to fake perfection, but show it’s possible to work hard without losing your mind.

 

Talk About the Pressure

One of the hardest things to admit as a leader is that sometimes it’s lonely. I’ve worked all over the world, long stints in oil & gas away from my family, and I know what it feels like when the pressure piles up. Even now, running a company with 13 staff and knowing people’s wages depend on us, it can feel heavy.

Leaders, especially men, are awful at asking for help. But you don’t have to do it alone. Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or someone outside the business, having a sounding board keeps you sane and stops burnout in its tracks.

It’s one of the reasons we offer 1:1 business coaching and leadership development programmes. Yes, they’re designed to grow your business, but many clients tell us the mindset support is what’s kept them from hitting a wall.

 

Don’t Forget Why You’re Doing This

When you’re buried in year-end chaos, it’s easy to forget why you started. For me, it was about creating a life where I could work with purpose, provide for my family, and help other leaders do the same. Losing sight of that is when burnout hits hardest.

Take a step back and reconnect with the bigger picture. It’s not just about finishing the year, it’s about building something that lasts.

 

I won’t pretend I’ve got it all figured out; I still work long hours, and I still get caught up in the year-end rush. But I’ve learned to do it smarter, not harder. And that’s what I want for you too.

If you’re feeling the squeeze right now, know this: you’re not alone, and you don’t have to white-knuckle your way through. A better mindset, better clarity, and better leadership tools can change everything.

If you want to finish this year strong and start 2026 with focus and energy, get in touch with us. Our leadership development and business growth programmes are designed for people exactly like you; ambitious, hardworking, but ready to lead smarter and avoid burnout.

 

James Fleming
The Power Within Training
The Motivational Intelligence Company
james@tpwtd.com