Are you working in a job or role that has you exhausted? Are the demands so great that even Houdini couldn’t accomplish your to-do list or return all the emails? I’m not talking about just being tired because you haven’t slept through the night in the last two months. I’m talking about the kind of overwhelm that causes you to become easily distracted and frustrated beyond what is normal. Is there so little work-life balance that you feel like you’re on a see-saw? Are you wondering, is this sustainable? If you aren’t near burnout, you just feel trapped…as if there’s a yearning for more; more meaningful work, more pay, more learning and leading than you believe you currently have the bandwidth for. If that’s you, read on.
Avoiding burnout in your personal or professional life is attainable, and yet, catching yourself heading in the downward spiral before you get there is better. Issues like addressing overlooked sources of pain and leaning into your authenticity and power to have a meaningful conversation with someone you trust is essential. The entrepreneurship explosion that we have been seeing for years is now presenting challenges like never before…lack of access to funding, dealing with diversity-inclusion issues, mental health on the rise, talent acquisition, employee retention and even getting actual employees to show up and be dependable. The struggle is more than real for any business owner or CEO.
The Covid-19 pandemic put burnout and mental health in the spotlight for employers and employees alike, and experts say the issues also are taking a toll on small-business owners.
A survey of 500 small-business owners by Morning Consult on behalf of Walmart Business found 70% of business owners experience feelings of burnout at least once a month, while 27% experience it at least once a week.
If you, your employees or someone close to you is experiencing these signs, reach out. Make the time to have a candid discussion over coffee or wine. It’s amazing what just a small gesture can do for someone. According to the Cleveland Medical Center, here are some additional signs you may be on the verge of burnout:
- Fatigue that goes beyond just not wanting to get out of bed
- Apathy – no longer enjoying or appreciating what you once did
- Tension headaches
- Unstable sleep patterns
- Unhealthy diet Impatient and short with co-workers or family
- Unable to focus or finding yourself drifting
- Lack of motivation and excitement about job roles
- Inability to believe your future will be bright
So what causes this and how do we crawl out of the hole?
1. Overlooked sources of pain
Unclear boundaries that lack self respect allow others to lean into your helpfulness which usually begins on a positive note, but after time, becomes resentful. Nobody likes the feeling of being taken advantage of. This is just one example. Physically, our bodies tell us when something isn’t right and due to deadlines or goals, we suppress it as if it isn’t important enough to take the time to address it medically. This is a case where honoring your own health should come before serving others. You aren’t going to be able to help your team at all if you end up in the hospital.
2. Work Overload
Cynicism on the job and overtime hours that add up to overwhelm should be addressed before they become the norm. Ask yourself what you’re willing to compromise and what is an absolute. What are you absolutely not willing to sacrifice for success? Everything has a price tag. Know your worth.
3. Lack of Appreciation and Reward
We know that 2 slices of praise should always accompany the piece of criticism. But if you’re on the wrong part of that sandwich, it’s tough to chew. Oftentimes those that are the most motivated are also going to be the ones jumping ship when the bonus doesn’t come through or there isn’t the right appreciation for recognizing overachievement. Appreciation comes in many forms. Do you know what kind of expectations your employees desire? Are you providing meaningful engagement?
4. Compromised Values
Most people at one time or another have done something they’ve resented. Mistakes and failures are simply stepping stones…but I’m not talking about just that; the learning lessons of life. I’m referring to the pattern of compromising your values and not liking who you see in the mirror. This leads to detrimental self talk and terribly unhealthy thoughts. Take some time to reflect on what tempts you to make the compromise. Is there a pattern you can adjust?
5. Lack of Community Support
Loneliness is one of the major contributors to burnout and certainly exhaustion. Do you have trustworthy relationships? Are your conversations mostly on the surface level or are you willing to be vulnerable? That could mean going to a networking event alone. Go to the movie theater alone. Get a massage. It could also mean answering a co-worker or boss authentically and diplomatically. It could mean forgiving someone…including yourself! Getting involved in non profit work, joining a church group or bible study hangout are all positive ways to engage in community support. It could also be as simple as taking a loaf of bread or card to a neighbor and introducing yourself.
6. Perceived Lack of Control
For those autonomous driven leaders, this is a big one. There is such a calm and peace when we release the need to control everything. The first step in doing so is to realize, you can’t…and why would you really want all that responsibility anyway? However, if you perceive yourself to have lost control at work or home, you are more likely to be closer to burnout.
So where do you go from here? Understanding that the path you’re on may not be heading where you want it to, can be frustrating. It doesn’t have to be. Leaning into your calling when you’re stuck in a job that you’re exhausted with requires a shift; and it can be a really small shift to yield a big reward. Go on…reach out and find someone or something to collaborate with because YOU DESERVE IT.
If YOU would like some personal leadership and development support to uncover the overlooked areas and get you on a pathway of meaningful relief, PLEASE CONTACT US. Regaining a sense of self respect and worth is of high importance! Utilizing the Harrison Assessments will help save you time and money by providing the analytical data to hire, manage and retain the needed talent based on traits, and then allow for training and developing skills. What we see is during the surge of growth, most companies are just trying to get people in jobs instead of focusing more on the “right people in the right roles”. It begs another conversation about eligibility over suitability, but that’s for another blog post.
