Beware Burnout, the Stealth Attacker

Burnout!

You are in danger of burnout. 

We all are. If you find yourself taking on too many responsibilities, filling up your schedule without consistent periods of R&R, working extra hours, or working from home - you have set the stage for burnout.

Will you suffer from burnout? I don’t know, but I do know that the slope is slippery and deceptive. You don’t know you’re headed towards burnout . . . until you’re burned out.

4 years ago I was . . .

• Burned out on my career

• Depressed about my future

• Unsure how I could start a new career

I didn’t have all the answers, but I knew I wanted to be my own boss. I was starting from scratch.

After that experience I promised I would do everything possible to make sure people understood the dangers of burnout and how easily it could slip into their lives.

The Phases of Burnout

Burnout is total physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion experiences from the result of chronic prolonged stress.

Burnout happens in phases - the honeymoon phase, onset of stress, chronic stress, burnout, and habitual burnout. 

Each phase is a warning, including the honeymoon phase. As each phase becomes “normal,” you advance to the next stage.

Let’s follow two people - an employee and an entrepreneur/solopreneur - to see how the cycle of burnout may play out. Take an earnest look at how you might be in a burnout cycle.

The Honeymoon Phase

This is the best part. You’ve started something new and you feel exhilarated! How does the honeymoon phase of burnout differ from the normal excitement of starting a new job or new business?

The honeymoon phase is where you have the propensity to overdo it. Whatever you're working on, whatever product you're producing, you go above and beyond. 

Red Flags: Taking on too many responsibilities, making yourself overly available, and not setting clear boundaries.

Opportunities for Correction: Recognize your inclination to continually push yourself to excel. Slow your pace and remind yourself that you don't have to do everything at once. This may look like mastering one thing at a time. In the case of running a one person business, it may look like keeping all operations at bare essentials and intentionally building skills in 1-2 areas at a time.

Onset of Stress

Onset of stress is the phase you start experiencing the mental stress of doing too much too fast. The stress comes in spurts and you explain it away as “normal.”

Red Flags: You are working extra hours without extra pay or expecting yourself to accomplish far more than is logical. As the stress continues you start to lose focus and you begin neglecting self-care (e.g., exercising, eating healthy foods).Your productivity and quality of work suffer. 

Opportunities for Correction: Recognize the areas that are increasing your stress and mindfully back off. Don't volunteer to take on additional work or projects. Only work during work hours. If you need better systems to manage your time efficiently, put them in place. Business owners need to have a schedule (especially those who work from home).

Chronic Stress

The stress you thought would relent becomes ever present, and you have trouble shaking it.

Red Flags: You find yourself becoming negative and cynical about the work you used to enjoy. You resent all the expectations and start missing deadlines.

Opportunities for Correction: This is the last chance to reign in behaviors only you can control. At this point, it's imperative that you right the proverbial cart, because you are fast tracking toward burnout.

Burnout

Burnout occurs when the chronic stress has grown to an insurmountable level. 

Red Flags: You are withdrawn and no longer find joy in participating in activities you once engaged in regularly. You are cynical, withdrawn, neglect self-care (e.g., overeat or don’t eat, may not take showers), Physical health problems become evident (e.g., heart palpitations, blood pressure issues, headaches). Mental health worsens (e.g., severe depression, anxiety). Possible drug or alcohol abuse.

Opportunities for Correction: The severity of burnout you experience at this stage may require help from a mental health professional. It is imperative that you detach from work and set boundaries. Connect with family and friends, even if you don’t have to desire to do so.

Habitual Burnout

Habitual burnout is dangerous. It is prolonged burnout that lasts months or years.

Red Flags: You are unable to cope with anything - work, home - it no longer matters. Life is one big blob of hopelessness. Physical and mental health deteriorate even further. Severe depression creeps in. You feel apathetic, as though nothing matters. Increased risk of drug or alcohol abuse.

Opportunities for Correction: The severity of burnout you experience at this stage will likely require help from a mental health professional.

What Happened in My Situation?

My “break” came when I left my job to become a caregiver. It wasn’t something that could be planned, and I was trading one set of stresses for another. Regardless, it was a break from a bad pattern. I had to focus on someone else’s emergency, which redirected my energy and attention.

What would I have done if that emergency hadn’t altered my course? I can only tell you where I left off. I was working with a therapist, and her recommendation was that I tender my resignation immediately. I told her that wasn’t possible. 

Do you know my reasoning? I couldn’t leave the people who depended on me. I would be giving up my career. I would be giving up my livelihood. However, I knew that I needed a break. 

I told my therapist I would leave at the end of the school year. But would I have? 

I don’t know. That part of the story didn’t play out.

Next week we will explore how you figure out what you want to do . . . when you don’t know what you want to do.

Do You Need Help Tapping Into Your Potential?

Are you struggling to meet your goals and wish you had support? Have you ever considered working with a coach? You may not know what a coach does.

One-on-One Coaching:

• You and I develop an individualized plan targeting your specific goals

• You receive individualized support from me

• Answers to your specific questions

• Guidance on your specific issues and blocks

• Accessibility to me outside coaching sessions for added support (individual texts and emails to check in)

• Your plan leads to learning how your personal growth is in your control

Are you ready to take action but are at a loss on what step to take next? 

I can teach you how to get started and accelerate your growth by using repeatable methods. Need the tools? I’ve got them. The goal is always to make you independent. I should be working myself out of a job. Once you take off, you may want to have a session from time to time, especially if you are scaling your goals. A good coach teaches you how to stand on your own two feet. Contact me today. Are you ready to CONNECT?