APPROACHING BURNOUT: FIND YOUR FUEL STATIONS

By JJ Digeronimo

Practice the power of no and prioritize yourself.

Many professionals continually push through demanding deadlines, peer challenges, and a declining workforce, not realizing that they may be well into their reserve fuel as they work to keep everything moving forward. Take a minute to read what I’ve learned about avoiding burnout so you can supplement your schedule with some fueling activities or even shift your focus before you run out of energy or impact your health.

Common feelings that can lead to burnout:

You have anxiety about the next day
You are overwhelmed by your to-do list
You dread meetings or going into the office
You are more tired and even sick more often
You decline or reschedule things you enjoy

Ask yourself:

Do you say yes when you should say no?
Are you expected to hold things together while looking for more help?
Do you find you are working more than usual?

These actions and expectations are exhausting and unrealistic. Many of us work with the mindset that if we get these tasks done now, we could protect our evenings or weekends from disruptions, but that’s not necessarily the case.

With long hours and many moments of rushing to get on to the next thing or cross one more thing off the list, we may find ourselves missing the moments to fill our tank.

What have you stopped doing that you enjoy to get more done at work or home?

Making Time for Your Fuel Stations

I did not realize that my choices to do so much for so many when I should have been carving out time for myself would eventually become one of my life lessons related to my health. I coined it: visiting your fuel stations. These are things you do to create positive, purposeful, and elevated energy for yourself that help you sidestep anxiety or even burnout.

Yes, it often requires you to carve some time out for yourself each week. This may seem difficult based on all you have going on but let me assure you that it is necessary. I talk with too many professionals that have run themselves into the ground by saying yes to so much and no to themselves. Many of these people, including me, have struggled with depression, unhealthy habits, and even sickness.

Declining things that fill you up or nurture your well-being is necessary. It might not seem like now is the right time, but it is never too soon and often too late.

A few easy ways to do this:

Unplug—Take time away from technology
Delegate—Reassign some of your tasks, big or small, to others
Make time to relax—Designate time for meditation, reading a book, or taking a walk

Only You Can Carve Out the Time

Prioritizing your energy level is essential, as it starts from within. With this, it might be challenging at times to find or make the time to support your desires but knowing your fuel stations is critical to aligning with energy that empowers you.

It can be tricky to make the time, so finding purpose for what you select and then peace within yourself to make and keep this time is essential.

Practice ‘The Power of No’ to help you find or make the time for the activities that fuel the right energy. The acts of creating the space and time to visit your fuel stations or share your gifts can often act as catalysts for your future shifts and alignment.

You are too valuable to let career burnout stop you from your ultimate success. So, act this week in prioritizing yourself and your fuel stations.