Let's start by defining burnout. According to Merriam-Webster burnout is, "Exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration."
Some common causes of stress and frustration can be a result of lack of social support, work-life imbalance, negative workplace culture, lack of resources or the ability to manage them, and little or no delegation.
Here are 5 simple (not easy) tips for you to overcome and prevent burnout:
Implement one daily action and make it a habit. For example, if you are experiencing burnout and feel like working out daily would help, start by working out for 30 minutes per day. This is done most effectively when you replace an unproductive daily activity.
Improve your emotional intelligence. People high in EI are very good at recognizing their feelings and using them in a productive way. The ability to effectively regulate and manage emotions is a key skill that people with high EI demonstrate. These are the people you see as resilient. People who are more temperamental in an unproductive way could use development in this area. Unlike IQ, EI (or EQ) can be developed and improved.
Understand and reframe your own limiting beliefs. Leaders who struggle to delegate sometimes believe that other people will not get the work done as well as they can on their own. Reframing the belief or lack of trust can be as simple as an "if-then" statement. For example, "If I train our team properly then, they will deliver the results I expect."
Engage in conversations you enjoy daily. This can be with a supportive friend, colleague, or family member. The point is to get out of the grind for a moment and have intentional social interaction with someone you enjoy. It will take some time out of your day, but the momentum from your lifted mood will outweigh the time commitment.
Do a deep dive into how you are spending your time. Many times, leaders who are experiencing burnout are spending too much time on activity rather than action. It is important to focus on 1-3 goals at a time and be comfortable saying, "No" to the things that will not move these goals forward. When you can, "Plan your work and work your plan." -Napoleon Hill
2020 has been a frustrating and stressful year for most people which means more people are experiencing high levels of burnout. Change is difficult, but every small action will improve your ability to stay cool. We got this!
Take this 2-minute quiz to learn about your own burnout risk!