Being at the pinnacle of your dream career (sometimes fo 12-15 hours a day)… taking on even MORE responsibility… overseeing a new project that’s hit a wall…. managing the different personalities of your frazzled team… is often hard work — but it doesn’t have to completely burn you out.
So how do we know when we’re faltering under the crush of stress?… or sinking into burnout?
Stress is that feeling of being overwhelmed or overloaded (61% of people who feel stressed also feel anxious… others feel the “buzzed” energy that leaves you beyond depleted at the end of the day) — it’s that physical, mental and emotional state that when left unchecked… can contribute to chronic exhaustion… major health crashes… and burnout.
What can be confusing is that stress and burnout both:
👎 Take a toll on your physical health.
👎 Ruin your enjoyment in life.
👎 Threaten your success.
And that’s NOT for you! You DESERVE WAY BETTER!
So how do you know when you’ve sunk too far into burnout?
I get it, the difference between the two can be ever so slight. I’ve seen burnout AND extreme stress make people feel exhausted, less productive, and struggling with a dark mood.
And since burnout has become commonly associated with simply needing a healthier smoothie or a better exercise routine, I believe it’s important to get clarity.
So here’s one simple question to ask yourself:
Is your heart still in it?… even a little bit? (If you need to change your position or career, are you still open to doing that?)
Because there’s one main difference I’ve noticed between being extremely stressed and totally burnt out:
When it comes to extreme stress… you still want the success. Your heart is still in it (it may be closing a bit) — yet you still feel you want to enjoy what you’ve worked so hard for.
When it comes to burnout… you want to throw it all away. Your heart is closed — it’s tough to imagine opening up again to the life you worked so hard for.
My goal is to stop total burnout… and help you recover from the health issues often caused by unrelenting stress and extreme exhaustion.
So.. the first step you can take to better handle unrelenting stress and pressure right now… is to choose yourself.
Choosing yourself isn’t selfish — it’s a conscious approach to getting needs met.
I know you may not be used to it.
I know you have a lot of demands being made of you, but if you put yourself first…
That’s going to have an impact on your stress levels… your energy levels… your direct reports… the way you show up… with loved ones… in every other relationship you have.
Imagine the effect that’ll have on your team, clients, and colleagues as they respectfully look to you for guidance and are empowered to go that extra mile. And most of all… how much you’ll continue to stand out as an inspirational leader.
Imagine the boost on your overall happiness.
Our bodies aren’t designed to live in a constant state of extreme stress and pressure — especially when we’re already depleted.
How’s YOUR body communicating that message to YOU?
Are you concerned you’re not only extremely stressed… but headed into burnout? LET’S GET A HANDLE ON THIS.