Reader Question: “I am so burnt out! I feel like all I do is work. Something’s got to change, but I don’t know how. Any tips?”
Read Time: 3 minutes
If you are currently in the season of life and in a state of burnout, please know you are not alone.
In a recent Deloitte survey of over 1000 people, 77% of people said they had experienced burnout in their current position.
Burnout is often seen as an unavoidable nonissue that we are just expected to carry with us through life. The debt paid for choosing entrepreneurship.
But that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Burnout can affect both your mental and physical health.
According to the Mayo Clinic, it is “a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.”
That sounds pretty freaking significant to me! But how do you get out of it, or even better, avoid it altogether? That’s where our Weekly High Five comes in:
5 TIPS TO (AVOID OR) BUST OUT OF BURNOUT
Weekly High Five
1
Your Ideal Day
Close your eyes. Breathe slowly, and imagine your perfect work day. Make a mental note of the pace, your environment, the amount you work, and the amount of rest.
2
Commit To Progress
Now, commit to progress. Turning this dream into reality is not going to be an overnight accomplishment. You will have to make daily choices that get you one step closer and then build on those choices daily to prioritize your goal.
3
Focused Work
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: “only work when you can work focused!” Anything else is just productivity without purpose. It’s a waste of time. Your time and your energy are far too precious to be squandered.
4
Rediscover Joy
What do you do just because you love it? Do you even have hobbies? If you don’t, you should! Experiment with your interests and find ones that bring you joy. I prioritize three types of days in my life: a day for me (hobbies), a day with the people I love, and a day for rest.
5
Rest
Rest doesn’t always mean an afternoon catnap or a solid 8 hours – although I am a full supporter of both! Sometimes rest is just 5 minutes of peace and quiet. Other times it may be reading or watching your favorite show. Research shows that taking breaks during your workday can increase both the quantity and quality of your work. (Wendsche et al., 2016).
The most important thing to remember here is: you are a human, not a machine. Just because you are awake does not mean you have to be moving forward. Being ambitious and protecting your energy are not mutually exclusive.
So today, I challenge you to commit to protecting your energy, valuing your time, and prioritizing joy. Of course, this is easier said than done, but it can be done: one small step at a time.
And if you are in the thick of it, my friend, and need someone to listen, I am here. So don’t hesitate to send me an email at hello@shawneeroseconsulting.com because I am here to support you. I’ve been there. You are not alone.
