Burnout is a symptom that something needs to change.
Do any of these scenarios sound familiar: you count down to Friday only to find yourself lying awake in bed on Sunday night dreading Monday morning; you sit in front of a computer feeling like there’s never enough time in the day to get all the work done; you come home from a busy day and snap at a family member for no reason; there never seems to be enough sleep or rest – you are always tired.
These scenarios may be easily dismissed, it’s just life, right? No! These are indicators of oncoming burnout. An issue that has become pervasive, especially in cultures where work is valued over life, and success is often defined by the hours you put in to the grind. However, this is a serious issue to address, for ourselves and others.
This week on Learning to Lead the live discussions, we talked about burnout, how you can spot the symptoms, how to address it when it happens, and what to do to avoid it. The discussion was packed with great takeaways, here are a few (bigger takeaway list this week for a big topic!):
Indicators of Burnout:
Exhaustion – always feeling tired no matter how much you sleep
Emotions – easily get angry or feel like you are on the verge of tears
Boredom – no matter the task or project, you feel bored and unmotivated
Pessimism – a continuous negative mindset and reactions
Insomnia – it becomes hard to sleep or sleep soundly
Physical Sickness – unexplained headaches, nausea, muscle pain
Alleviating & Avoiding Burnout
Get clear on what you really value – when you get too far away from what you really care about burnout becomes a bigger risk
Ask for help - tap into a community for support or your personal board of directors
Movement – physical movement or exercise can be powerful, try yoga, going for walks, or dancing
Meditation – slow down and give yourself time to get present even if it’s just for a few minutes at a time
Practice Gratitude – start writing 3 things you are grateful for at the start or end of your day
Set strong boundaries – make time to disconnect from work, set break times on your calendar, learn what to say no to
Take Breaks – a rest days are proven to make you perform better, in all areas of your life
Have fun! Make time to do something that brings you joy
Supporting your team through burnout
Define Success - set clear goals for your team, and show them you trust them
Model good behavior – your actions reinforce healthy boundaries for your team; is what you do matching what you say?
Reward what you want to reinforce – be careful not to reward unhealthy behavior that can result in burnout within your team
Coach your team collectively even when only one team member may be showing signs of burnout; the reinforcements can be beneficial in alleviating and avoiding burnout as well as teaching your team to support each other
Make time for fun and team building – don’t forget the human element of work and make time to connect with your team beyond the tasks and projects
Remember, you have more control over your life than you might think. If something isn’t working, you have the ability to change it!
Quote of the Week
Carpe Diem! - Sieze the Day!
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Resources
Blue Zones by Dan Buettner - 9 Lessons for Living Longer From the People Who've Lived the Longes
Understanding Job Burnout - an excerpt from a presentation by Dr. Christina Maslach, Professor of Psychology (Emerita) and a researcher at the University of California (Berkeley,)
Dying for a Paycheck by Jeffrey Pfeffer - How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance―and What We Can Do About It
Personal Board of Directors - how to cultivate a trusted circle
Personal Mission Statement - discover the power of creating your own personal missions statement
Listen to the Full Replay
Events
Ted Women Conference December 2021 - a conference about the power of women and girls to be creators and change-makers. The program of speakers, workshops, events — and daring discussions — has sparked some of TED's most iconic moments yet.
DO Lectures Wales July 2022 - a few days that could change your life - "You shouldn't come to the DO Lectures if you aren't willing to say goodbye to the old you." Mills.
Networking
Are you hiring? Send your job to be included in this newsletter and connect with leaders in our network
Are you looking for a new job or opportunity? Keep an eye on the network section of this newsletter going forward.
Next time on Learning to Lead: Team Building - finding what works for you!
Join us LIVE in the official Learning to Lead Clubhouse Saturday October 23, 2021 from 9:30-10:30 am PT.
Is there a topic you’d like us to cover? Do you have any questions for the Learning to Lead team? Comment or DM me.