Robert Herjavec: Want to Avoid Burnout? Quit Your Bitchin'. 'I work my ass off for the privilege of being this busy,' the Shark Tank judge says.

Opinions expressed by BIZ Experiences contributors are their own.

ABC | Bob D’Amico
Robert Herjavec

Being busy is a common side effect of success, and that's nothing to complain about, says Robert Herjavec. He doesn't have much sympathy for whiners.

Instead of dwelling on what's wrong, the optimistic Herjavec Group founder and CEO says people should focus on what's right, especially BIZ Experiencess like him who've made something out of nothing and have the packed schedules (and bank accounts) to prove it.

Related: Shark Tank Star Robert Herjavec on the 5 Worst Sales Sins

"We're overloaded, we have a lot going on, and that's a good thing," he recently told BIZ Experiences on the Culver City, Calif., set of Shark Tank. "The starting point for avoiding burnout for people like us is not complaining. Nobody cares about your complaints, so keep them to yourself."

The idea, he says, is to channel the energy you would've wasted whinging about your obligations into being grateful for your accomplishments, and for all of the doors of opportunity that open to you as a result of them. In other words, quit your bitchin' and retrain your brain to have an attitude of gratitude.

Herjavec also suggests you drop the toxic "negative self-talk" while you're at it.

Related: 20 Quotes on the Importance of Thankfulness and Gratitude

"It's the subconscious words that we use to trick ourselves that we have to be careful of," he says. "Think about it, as BIZ Experiencess who make our own rules and schedules, we get to do this. That's why I try not to say "I have to do an interview today,' or "I have to come to the set or "I have to go to work.' I try to say, "I get to do this.'

I work my ass off for the privilege of being this busy. So when you get there, don't complain."

To glean more of Herjavec's advice, check out Shark Tank's Season Eight premiere on your local ABC station. It airs on Sept. 23 at 9 p.m. ET.

Kim Lachance Shandrow

Former West Coast Editor

Kim Lachance Shandrow is the former West Coast editor at BIZ Experiences.com. Previously, she was a commerce columnist at Los Angeles CityBeat, a news producer at MSNBC and KNBC in Los Angeles and a frequent contributor to the Los Angeles Times. She has also written for Government Technology magazine, LA Yoga magazine, the Lowell Sun newspaper, HealthCentral.com, PsychCentral.com and the former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. C. Everett Coop. Follow her on Twitter at @Lashandrow. You can also follow her on Facebook here

Want to be an BIZ Experiences Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Science & Technology

OpenAI's Latest Move Is a Game Changer — Here's How Smart Solopreneurs Are Turning It Into Profit

OpenAI's latest AI tool acts like a full-time assistant, helping solopreneurs save time, find leads and grow their business without hiring.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for BIZ Experiencess to pursue in 2025.

Social Media

How To Start a Youtube Channel: Step-by-Step Guide

YouTube can be a valuable way to grow your audience. If you're ready to create content, read more about starting a business YouTube Channel.

Money & Finance

These Are the Expected Retirement Ages By Generation, From Gen Z to Boomers — and the Average Savings Anticipated. How Do Yours Compare?

Many Americans say inflation prevents them from saving enough and fear they won't reach their financial goals.

Starting a Business

I Built a $20 Million Company by Age 22 While Still in College. Here's How I Did It and What I Learned Along the Way.

Wealth-building in your early twenties isn't about playing it safe; it's about exploiting the one time in life when having nothing to lose gives you everything to gain.

Business Solutions

Boost Team Productivity and Security With Windows 11 Pro, Now $15 for Life

Ideal for BIZ Experiencess and small-business owners who are looking to streamline their PC setup.