Beat Burnout

Over this last very challenging year, many people have felt burned out — exhausted, irritable, discouraged, and overwhelmed. Let’s focus on how to Beat Burnout, to reignite your flame and shine brightly once again.

Inspirational Thoughts

“If you feel ‘burnout’ setting in, if you feel demoralized and exhausted, it is best, for the sake of everyone, to withdraw and restore yourself.” ~ Dalai Lama

“I have come to believe that caring for myself is not self-indulgent. Caring for myself is an act of survival.” ~ Audre Lorde

Beat Burnout: Find Energy, Hope, and Joy

If the realities of societal upheaval and pandemic life have you feeling burned out, you’re not alone. From quarantines to job loss, social isolation to fear of illness, “pandemic fatigue” is real, and it’s happening to most of us.

If you’re feeling burned out, the good news is it’s not a terminal condition. It may not be a quick or easy fix and it might require significant lifestyle changes, but you can take steps to improve your situation.

As the timeline to return to normal continues to expand, it is more critical than ever to beat burnout, and live a life of energy, hope, and joy.

Identify Causes

The first step is to recognize the signs of burnout, then figure out what’s causing it. Sit down and make a list of all the things making you feel stressed, frustrated, helpless, or hopeless. It’s important to do so because to effectively treat the problem, you first need to identify the cause.

Isolation or too much time with the people in your bubble may be your key stressors. For others, pressures with caregiving, hassles with remote schooling, grieving the loss of a loved one, or working from home without adequate infrastructure may be the final straws. Pinpoint your exact stressors to help you tackle them head on.

Identify Solutions

Having identified your triggers, write down at least one way to tackle each stressor and a means to implement it. Here’s what my clients are doing to beat burnout:

• Carve out a corner for a home office by a sunny window to brighten your
  disposition
• Take daily walks
• Ask for help and delegate to lighten your load
• Take regular lunch or stretch breaks
• Meditate
• Reach out in support to someone else in need

Whatever your “it” is, commit to making a change and start now.

Practice Self Care

These days, it’s challenging to try and beat burnout with a vacation getaway or a relaxing day at home alone. But there are still ways to recharge and recuperate. Start with the basics: Make eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep nonnegotiable priorities.

Sometimes self-care means saying “No.” Setting limits or boundaries in work and life help create balance. Know when you’ve taken on too much and ask for help to handle it. Instead of gritting your teeth and worrying about
disappointing others, make a choice to put your own mental and physical well-being first.

Remember: You are empowered and in charge of your own life. Make choices that align with your purpose, values, and vision to beat burnout and live your best life.

Tips to Beat Burnout

•    Get outside. Nature is the best medicine when it comes to beating burnout. Fresh air, sunshine, and exercise have the power to heal your soul and renew your spirit. Just a few minutes outside each day (although the more, the better) can clear your mind and put a little pep in your step.

•   Hire a coach. It might sound like a sales tactic, but a coach can help identify signs of burnout and help you create a plan to address it. The coaching process of setting clear goals, taking small steps forward, and noting progress can make you feel more in control of your life and reduce burnout.

•   Learn to say “No.” Sometimes there’s just too much on your plate. Before taking on another commitment, first determine if you have the time, energy, and capacity, and consider what value you get in return. Use your time in a way that aligns with your purpose and furthers your vision and dreams.

•   Disconnect to reconnect. In this 24/7 connected world, electronic devices can consume lots of your time and energy. Set aside time each week where you (and your family) turn off or put down your phones, tablets, and
computers (and maybe even turn off the TV). Pause and enjoy the quiet space to just be.

•   Pursue your passion. Burnout can cause you to lose sight of the things you’re passionate about. To confront burnout and rekindle your passion, make a list of the things that bring you joy. Make time for these activities each week.

•   Surround yourself with good people. Loving, supportive friends and family are an ideal line of defense against stress and burnout. Practice self care by weeding out toxic relationships and surrounding yourself with those who bring joy, positivity, and light to your life.

As your coach I am dedicated to helping you beat burnout and “reignite your flame” in your personal and your professional life. Through my Leap Forward Coaching method I offer you a proven process and life-changing experience to cultivate a healthy and joyful life.