Let’s be real:

Running a business is exhausting.

And when you’re running on fumes, selling can feel like the escape hatch.

But here’s the trap:

Burnout feels like readiness.

It’s not.

Burnout = Emotion. Readiness = Transferability.

A lot of owners think:

• “I’m tired. I want out. That means I’m ready to sell.”

But buyers don’t care if you’re tired.

They care if your business can thrive without you.

That’s where most sellers get burned.

They list their business too soon — before it’s actually ready — and get hit with lowball offers, tough terms, or no sale at all.

The Risk of Selling from Emotion

If you try to exit just because you’re exhausted:

• You rush the process
• You settle for less-than-ideal buyers
• You overlook key prep work
• You regret the deal later

Burnout clouds your judgment. It makes short-term relief feel more important than long-term value.

And that can cost you big.

The Burnout vs. Readiness Litmus Test

Ask yourself:

• Is the business running without me in the weeds daily?
• Are my financials clean and ready for buyer scrutiny?
• Do I have systems, team, and leadership in place?
• Would this still be a great business to buy if I didn’t own it?

If you said “no” or “not yet” to most of those…

You’re not ready to sell — you’re just tired.

A Quick Win You Can Do Today

Open a doc and title it:

“My Exit Prep Plan”

Then write two lists:

1. What’s draining me right now (so you can offload or delegate)
2. What needs to be true for this business to sell for top dollar

This gives you a roadmap — and some relief.

Want a step-by-step guide to exit prep (without burnout)?

Download the Free Exit Toolkit to see where your business stands — and what to fix next.