As professionals or business owners, you know the pressure to succeed can be relentless. But when stress adds up, and the requirements of your job start to sap your energy, that can cause burnout, a condition in which you are physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted. It’s easy to feel like you’re in a cycle you can’t get out of, and you’re doing everything you can to work through and nothing seems to work.
Burnout doesn’t always come with a bang. Most times, it’s a silent creepy sensation. Maybe you’re feeling disconnected from your passion, or you lack the energy you once had, or just don’t enjoy what you do anymore.
If you recognise these signs, it’s important to take a step back, because burnout isn’t that thing that magically goes away.
How To Heal and Prevent Burnout
Recognise the Signs Early: Burnout often starts small, tiredness that doesn’t go away, irritability or a loss of motivation. Start paying attention to what starts to feel wrong, and don’t ignore early warning signs.
Set Boundaries: As executives we can feel compelled to say ‘yes’ to everything. But over committing ourselves is a fast track to burnout. Learn to say ‘no’ without guilt and prioritise what really aligns with your goals.
Delegate and Ask for Help: You don’t have to bear everything on your shoulders. Whether it’s hiring a virtual assistant, delegating tasks, or leaning on your team, spreading the load can give you the breathing room you need.
Revisit Your Purpose: When burnout sets in, it’s easy to lose sight of your purpose for starting your journey in the first place. Take a while to reflect on your original vision and reconnect with your passion. This can give you a new lease on your energy and motivation.
Take Breaks and Rest: We’re all guilty of setting ourselves too hard. Taking a few short breaks during the day and scheduling out time off can do wonders for your energy levels. Don’t feel guilt about needing rest, it’s important to sustaining success.
Mindset Shift: The way we perceive stress can be a big part of how it impacts us. Try changing the frame of challenges as an opportunity for growth. When your mind works for you, and not against you, everything changes. RTT makes that change possible.
Mindfulness and Meditation: Practicing mindfulness exercises or meditation in your daily routine can help you to ground yourself and find balance. It doesn’t take much time to center yourself and reset your mind: a few minutes each day.
Look for Support: Whether it’s talking to a mentor, a coach, or a therapist, seeking support can bring a sense of clarity and a fresh perspective. You don’t have to go through this alone sometimes, just having someone to talk to can lighten the load.
The Road to Recovery
Burnout is not a badge of honour. It’s a call to attend to your well-being. By acknowledging this, setting boundaries, and getting support, you can heal and live in balance and joy. Both in your personal and professional life.
Remember, it’s not about you doing everything yourself. It’s about managing your energy and nurturing yourself so that you can keep going and doing so in a way that really fulfills you.
If you’re feeling burnt out, consider the opportunity to take care of yourself. You have the power to take back control and it begins with taking that first step to relief.
With love, Geraldine
