Checking in - how are you doing? Are you feeling burned out? Burnout has been the focus for many of my clients in the last few weeks so, I decided to write about this topic. As trained burnout specialist as well as having my own experiences with burnout I can offer support and tools to mitigate burnout.
Many folks took time off during a winter break and had hoped they cured their burnout only to find themselves right back in the grind of work and life. In this overwhelming time of chaos and change many of us have been feeling stress. All while we work with the pressure to succeed and reach our goals. All of the stress, work, and pressure adds to our overwhelm and can lead to burnout.
Ambition and perseverance drive us toward our goals, and can be a terrific motivator. However, if not managed properly, they can also lead to burnout when we go too far.
Understanding the fine line between persistence and overexertion is crucial for long-term success and well-being and not becoming burned out.
Understanding Burnout
Burnout is a state of chronic physical and/or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It often results from excessive work, lack of rest, and emotional strain.
Common symptoms & signs of burnout:
- Fatigue
- Cynicism
- Decreased motivation
- Decreased productivity
- Irritability
- Sense of detachment
- Apathy
- Sleep issues
- Using more substances - caffeine included
- Not finding value in our work
- Inability to focus
- Frequent headaches or other physical issues
Be mindful if you start experiencing these signs of burnout. When left unchecked, burnout can lead to more serious health issues, including anxiety and depression.
One of the biggest misconceptions about burnout is that it only happens to those who dislike their work. In reality, passionate and hardworking individuals are often the most susceptible. When driven individuals push themselves too hard without adequate breaks, they may eventually reach a breaking point. Sometimes we get to burnout and don’t even realize what happened because we love our work.
The Role of Perseverance
Perseverance is essential for achieving goals. It helps us push through difficulties, overcome obstacles, and maintain motivation. However, perseverance and determination at the cost of our health and well-being leads to burnout and isn’t healthy for us. True perseverance is not about relentless effort and pushing through it without rest, but rather about sustained and balanced progress. Think of it as a marathon not a sprint.
It is important to recognize when persistence turns into self-destruction. Ignoring signs of burnout in the name of perseverance can lead to long-term consequences that may hinder success rather than facilitate it. The consequences can be health issues, panic attacks, work performance issues and more.
Mitigate Burnout = Finding Balance
We can find balance between perseverance and determination while taking good care of ourselves. To achieve our goals while maintaining health and happiness, it is essential to strike a balance between perseverance and self-care.
Here are some key mitigation strategies:
If burnout has already set in, it is crucial to take intentional steps toward recovery. I encourage you to do what you need to do to recover. Work with a professional - coach or therapist.
Things to consider: What do you want? What’s most important right now? Do you need to take more time off?, Do you want to reevaluate priorities and commitments? Please know that that burnout is not a sign of weakness but a signal that change is needed and what you’ve been doing isn’t sustainable.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. When we mindfully and intentionally pace ourselves we are more likely to reach our destination in a healthy and sustainable manner. By balancing perseverance with self-care, we can avoid burnout and continue striving toward our goals with renewed energy and passion.
Here’s to running your life marathon intentionally and mindfully while taking great care of YOU.
If you or someone you know would like support in getting out of burnout, career development, professional development, or have been knocked down by life reach out and contact me. I provide a safe, non-judgmental place for clients to live boldly and succeed.
I have space for one client in March & a waitlist. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Marvelous March Client Wins: “I’ve worked out 5 days this week and my stress is lower.”, “I have new awareness about burnout and some tools to support me now. Thank you.”, “Wow, my two weeks off and trip was so rejuvenating, I’m more motivated at work now.” Follow me on social media for insightful questions, tips, and motivational quotes.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Mindfully persevering while taking good care of me to reach goals.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
Many folks took time off during a winter break and had hoped they cured their burnout only to find themselves right back in the grind of work and life. In this overwhelming time of chaos and change many of us have been feeling stress. All while we work with the pressure to succeed and reach our goals. All of the stress, work, and pressure adds to our overwhelm and can lead to burnout.
Ambition and perseverance drive us toward our goals, and can be a terrific motivator. However, if not managed properly, they can also lead to burnout when we go too far.
Understanding the fine line between persistence and overexertion is crucial for long-term success and well-being and not becoming burned out.
Understanding Burnout
Burnout is a state of chronic physical and/or emotional exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It often results from excessive work, lack of rest, and emotional strain.
Common symptoms & signs of burnout:
- Fatigue
- Cynicism
- Decreased motivation
- Decreased productivity
- Irritability
- Sense of detachment
- Apathy
- Sleep issues
- Using more substances - caffeine included
- Not finding value in our work
- Inability to focus
- Frequent headaches or other physical issues
Be mindful if you start experiencing these signs of burnout. When left unchecked, burnout can lead to more serious health issues, including anxiety and depression.
One of the biggest misconceptions about burnout is that it only happens to those who dislike their work. In reality, passionate and hardworking individuals are often the most susceptible. When driven individuals push themselves too hard without adequate breaks, they may eventually reach a breaking point. Sometimes we get to burnout and don’t even realize what happened because we love our work.
The Role of Perseverance
Perseverance is essential for achieving goals. It helps us push through difficulties, overcome obstacles, and maintain motivation. However, perseverance and determination at the cost of our health and well-being leads to burnout and isn’t healthy for us. True perseverance is not about relentless effort and pushing through it without rest, but rather about sustained and balanced progress. Think of it as a marathon not a sprint.
It is important to recognize when persistence turns into self-destruction. Ignoring signs of burnout in the name of perseverance can lead to long-term consequences that may hinder success rather than facilitate it. The consequences can be health issues, panic attacks, work performance issues and more.
Mitigate Burnout = Finding Balance
We can find balance between perseverance and determination while taking good care of ourselves. To achieve our goals while maintaining health and happiness, it is essential to strike a balance between perseverance and self-care.
Here are some key mitigation strategies:
- Prioritize Rest & Relaxation: Schedule your rest and relaxation. Remember to take regular breaks, get quality sleep, and have downtime. These are necessary for productivity, health, wellbeing, and creativity. Click the link to learn more.
- Manage and Communicate Expectations: Many clients are overwhelmed with fuzzy or unknown expectations and goals. Determine what the expectations are, document them. Then you can manage if these are reasonable and realistic to meet.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break large goals into manageable steps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. SMART goals can support your goals. Click the link to learn more.
- Contemplate Options: Consider what options do you have with what’s causing burnout. Can you have some tasks or projects delegated, can you postpone things, can you get help to complete tasks?, or Have a problem solving conversation with your boss.
- Listen to Your Body and Mind: Recognizing early signs of burnout allows for timely intervention. Check in with yourself? How am I feeling? What am I feeling?
- Maintain a Support System: Friends, family, mentors, and a coach can provide encouragement and perspective. Cultivate your network and support system.
- Engage in Activities Outside Work: Hobbies, exercise, and social activities help recharge the mind, body and soul. They are a key to balance.
- Practice Mindfulness: Techniques such as meditation, journaling, and deep breathing can help mitigate stress. Take a short 1-5 minute mindfulness moment. Take a mindfulness walk. Click the link to learn more.
- Stress Management : Find time for daily movement to manage stress. Get your body moving, take a walk, do some yoga, find a physical activity to help relieve your stress.
- Acknowledge & Celebrate Wins: I write about this often. Acknowledging our wins, ToDones and what have we accomplished promotes motivation and resilience. Take time to celebrate as well.
If burnout has already set in, it is crucial to take intentional steps toward recovery. I encourage you to do what you need to do to recover. Work with a professional - coach or therapist.
Things to consider: What do you want? What’s most important right now? Do you need to take more time off?, Do you want to reevaluate priorities and commitments? Please know that that burnout is not a sign of weakness but a signal that change is needed and what you’ve been doing isn’t sustainable.
Success is a marathon, not a sprint. When we mindfully and intentionally pace ourselves we are more likely to reach our destination in a healthy and sustainable manner. By balancing perseverance with self-care, we can avoid burnout and continue striving toward our goals with renewed energy and passion.
Here’s to running your life marathon intentionally and mindfully while taking great care of YOU.
If you or someone you know would like support in getting out of burnout, career development, professional development, or have been knocked down by life reach out and contact me. I provide a safe, non-judgmental place for clients to live boldly and succeed.
I have space for one client in March & a waitlist. Let’s have a conversation to see how I can be of support.
Marvelous March Client Wins: “I’ve worked out 5 days this week and my stress is lower.”, “I have new awareness about burnout and some tools to support me now. Thank you.”, “Wow, my two weeks off and trip was so rejuvenating, I’m more motivated at work now.” Follow me on social media for insightful questions, tips, and motivational quotes.
Peace, and blessings,
Teresa – Mindfully persevering while taking good care of me to reach goals.
Teresa Q. Bitner, M.Ed., PMP, PCC - Resiliency, Change and Loss Coach
Partnering with those who have been knocked down by life and want to build resiliency and move forward and live a bold life.
[email protected]
www.boldfulfilledlifecoach.com
Author of:
· Soul Love: How A Dog Taught Me to Breathe Again
· The First Days: Coping with Life after Loss (updated 2nd edition)
· Explorations into the Being and Doing of Coaching: A collection of voices, insights, and wisdom from Austin area coaches
· My Journey as a Widow: A Widow’s First Journal
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