Help us build World-Class Leader I’m on a mission to impact 1,000 leaders with the World-Class Leader Newsletter.

There’s at least one leader in your circle that can benefit from getting this weekly newsletter and leveling up their leadership.

If there’s a leader on your team that would benefit from learning about keeping burnout at bay, please invite them to be a part of this community and share this with them.

July 11th, 2023

READ TIME: 3 minutes & 45 seconds

I went five years at one point without taking a real break from work.

Like many others, I had this notion in my head that the harder I worked, the more effective I would be as a leader.

It wasn’t until I hit a breaking point where I realized this ideology couldn’t be further from the truth.

I was exhausted and I actually didn’t realize how exhausted I was until I took a week off from work. When I returned to the office, others noticed how refreshed and more upbeat I was after my vacation.

My story isn’t unique.

A recent Zippia poll discovered that a staggering 89% of workers have experienced burnout in the last year.

I’m not an expert in the burnout department but I could take a guess that this is likely because of 2 things.

1. More people are working from home which means they are taking their work with them everywhere they go and are struggling to disconnect.

2. For people in office, we’re back to pre-covid hustle and bustle and we haven’t implemented proper measures for self-care.

Why aren’t more people talking about this? In the age of productivity and information overload on how to work better, why aren’t we taking rest just as seriously?

What I’ve learned is that no leader can sustainably motivate and encourage if they are mentally and emotionally drained.

Saving yourself from burnout is not an afterthought, it’s a forethought.

Setting aside time for you will not only benefit you, but ultimately benefit your whole team and organization.

But rather than spending time talking about how to reactively recover from burnout, let’s talk about creating a lifestyle that proactively keeps burnout at bay.

Debunking Burnout

This is what you’ll hear from a lot of people that unfortunately down play the effects of burnout.

In western society, rest generally isn’t celebrated.

You don’t receive rewards at work for being the most well-rested or taking the most vacation time.

While there can be a lot of discouragement around taking rest and time to yourself, you shouldn’t let it discourage you.

We can get so used to adopting a fast paced lifestyle that when we’re in the middle of burnout we don’t even recognize that it’s happening to us and we just accept it because it’s our normal.

If you’re going to take control of anything in your life, you have to be able to recognize it’s presence.

Here’s some common burnout misconceptions and the truth to go with them:

#1
Misconception: Burnout is simply feeling tired or stressed.

Reality: Burnout is more than just ordinary fatigue or stress. It is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that results from prolonged work-related stress.

#2
Misconception: Burnout is solely an individuals problem.

Reality: While burnout affects individuals, it is not solely their responsibility. Organizational factors such as excessive workload, lack of support, and poor work-life balance contribute significantly to burnout.

#3
Misconception: Only high-achievers experience burnout.

Reality: Burnout can affect anyone, regardless of their level of achievement or ambition. It can impact individuals in various professions and industries.

#4
Misconception: Taking breaks or vacations will solve burnout.

Reality: While breaks and vacations are essential for self-care, they are not a cure-all for burnout. Burnout is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive approach involving stress management, setting boundaries, and addressing underlying organizational factors.

#5
Misconception: Burnout is a temporary condition that will resolve on its own.

Reality: Burnout is not something that typically resolves on its own. Ignoring the signs and symptoms of burnout can lead to severe consequences for individuals and organizations. It is crucial to take proactive steps to prevent and manage burnout effectively.

My Self-Care Formula

“Just relax.”

Easier said than done right?

Over the years I’ve realized that my approach to self-care doesn’t just affect me it also affects my team, my organization and ultimately my bottom line too.

Anything that has the ability to have power over me or my team has to be managed.

So I worked on it. It was uncomfortable. I didn’t know what to do at times. I thought it didn’t matter.

But I kept working at it and in the process I set an example of what rest really looks like for the people around me.

When my team saw that I valued rest and relaxation, they felt safety to do the same for themselves.

This tweet couldn’t have hit closer to home:

Here’s my flow model that I implemented:

1. Relaxation = self-care
   
   Action steps: Set aside at least 30 minutes each day for relaxation activities, such as practicing deep breathing exercises, meditating, or engaging in a hobby you enjoy.
   

2. Self-care = increased mental health
   
   Action steps: Establish a consistent sleep schedule and aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night to support mental well-being.
   

3. Increased mental health + self-care = Increased physical health
   
   Action steps: Incorporate regular physical exercise into your routine, such as going for a walk or jog, attending fitness classes, or engaging in a sport you enjoy, for at least 30 minutes a day.
   

4. Better health + better work/life balance = increased happiness
   
   Action steps: Set clear boundaries between work and personal life by establishing designated work hours and sticking to them, and avoid bringing work-related tasks into personal time.
   

5. Happiness = increased mindfulness
   
   Action steps: Practice daily mindfulness exercises, such as meditation, deep breathing, or journaling, to cultivate a sense of happiness and present-moment awareness.
   

6. Increased mindfulness = better management practices
   
   Action steps: Develop a habit of active listening and being fully present in conversations and meetings to improve your management skills and build stronger relationships with colleagues.
   

7. Better management practices = higher engagement
   
   Action steps: Provide regular feedback and recognition to your team members, fostering a supportive and engaging work environment.
   

8. Higher engagement = better company culture
   
   Action steps: Foster a culture of open communication and collaboration by encouraging team members to share ideas, opinions, and concerns freely.
   

9. Better company culture = Higher employee retention
   
   Action steps: Implement employee development programs, such as training opportunities or mentorship programs, to invest in the growth and job satisfaction of your employees.
   

10. Higher employee retention = increased organizational performance
    
    Action steps: Conduct regular employee satisfaction surveys and use the feedback to identify areas for improvement and implement strategies to enhance overall organizational performance.

While the benefits of relaxation will begin with the self, the after-effects of a leader with a full cup begin to fill into the cups of the organization.

Hope this helps!

Go Deeper on This Topic

📰 Startling metrics about workplace burnout.

📚 Amber Pierce’s, “Burnout Recovery: 15 techniques to overcome chronic stress, regain control, restore your energy and your focus.

📲 Eso’s Viral Tweet about rest that you need to read.

I hope this helps you or a leader in your circle.

Until next time,

Pierre Inspires

WAYS I CAN HELP YOU WHEN YOU’RE READY

If you didn’t hear, my book “21 Ways to Effective Leadership” is now available for order! I know this book will help many of you on your leadership journey.

So many people have taken the opportunity to grab this book and take the step into WORLD-CLASS leadership. It’s your turn! ORDER HERE

👉 Follow me on Twitter for daily leadership advice & personal development.

👉 Let’s be friends on social — Check out my links!

👉 Got a question? Send me an email, ask me anything!

I hope this helps you or a leader in your circle.

Until next time, PierreInspires

P.S. If you have any questions, thoughts, or additional stories to share, please don't hesitate to reach out. Let's support and learn from each other as we strive to become the best leaders we can be.