Running a small business means wearing many hats. But being available around the clock shouldn't be one of them. You might think answering every phone call yourself shows commitment and professionalism. In reality, it could be doing more harm than good to both your productivity and your health.
Burnout is Real and It’s on the Rise
A recent study by Simply Business revealed that 56% of UK small business owners have experienced poor mental health in the past year. Long hours, financial stress and constant interruptions are all common factors.
Phone calls may seem harmless, but they're often the most persistent source of disruption. Whether it's an urgent enquiry or just another cold call, each ring pulls you away from the task at hand. And when it happens repeatedly throughout the day, it can seriously impact your focus and stress levels.
“We speak to small business owners every day who are stretched thin and struggling to keep up. Handing over their calls to Answer4u is helping save time, protect their focus, wellbeing, and ability to grow without burning out.”
Charlotte Menhennet, Operations Manager, Answer4u
Interruptions Come at a Cost
Answering the phone might only take a few minutes, but research shows it takes around 23 minutes to refocus after a disruption. Multiply that by several calls a day, and you're losing valuable time and mental energy.
When you're running a business, that lost time adds up quickly. It leaves you feeling overwhelmed, behind on meaningful work, and mentally drained.
This finding comes from a well-known study by Gloria Mark, Professor of Informatics at the University of California, which looked at how interruptions affect productivity in the workplace.
Work-Life Balance Matters
According to an American Express survey, 88% of small business leaders say work regularly interrupts their personal life. More than a quarter face this every single day.
Whether answering calls during dinner, replying to voicemails late at night, or feeling pressure to be constantly available, the line between work and home life starts to blur. Over time, this lack of balance can affect your wellbeing and your performance.
You Don't Have to Do It All
Outsourcing your calls to a professional, UK-based team means you stay connected to your customers while protecting your time and focus. You still receive every message and enquiry, but without the stress and disruption.
And because every small business is different, we offer tailored support across key sectors:
- If you're in property, our Property Answering Service helps you manage calls while you're out on viewings or managing tenants.
- Our Legal Call Answering offers a discreet and reliable front-of-house experience to legal professionals.
- In healthcare, our Medical Answering Service ensures patient calls are handled with professionalism and care.
- If you're in e-commerce or online retailer, our Customer Service Outsourcing helps you stay responsive without being constantly on-call.
Whatever your profession or business sector, we'll help you stay professional without being pulled in every direction.
Protecting Your Headspace is Good for Business
Delegating your calls isn't a luxury - it's a smart move for your business and wellbeing. It gives you space to focus, think clearly, and care for your mental health, which is essential when leading a team or building something on your own.
Even the World Health Organization recognises that excessive workloads and frequent interruptions are major contributors to stress and burnout.
It’s also more affordable than you think and is often more cost effective than hiring an in-house team.
Take a Step Towards Balance
Your business needs you at your best. Not overwhelmed, exhausted, or constantly reacting to the phone.
With our telephone answering services, you stay in control while gaining back time, clarity and peace of mind. Your callers are looked after, and you finally get a moment to breathe.
Learn more about our Telephone Answering Services and see how easy it is to get started.
