What’s causing burnout, and how we can turn things around
Had a great conversation with Scott Mader from Inspired Stewardship. You can learn more about him here https://inspiredstewardship.com/.
Here’s the break down:
Understanding Burnout:
- What Burnout Looks Like:
- Stealthy Stress: You start feeling irritable, anxious, and your sleep’s all messed up. These are your early warning signs.
- Emotional Erosion: You’re dreading work, feeling cynical, and your motivation is tanking. That’s when burnout is really setting in.
- Performance Paralysis: You’re exhausted, both mentally and physically, and it’s hitting your productivity hard.
- Current Trends:
- Social Isolation: The pandemic threw a wrench into things, making stress and burnout even worse.
- Lack of White Space: Always being plugged in means less downtime and more stress. We need to change that.
- Physical Inactivity: Sedentary lifestyles are piling on the stress. Get moving to help manage it.
Faith and Personal Growth:
- Success Traps:
- People Pleasing, Perfectionism, and Overextending: These behaviors are driven by fear and societal pressure, and they lead straight to burnout.
- Faith’s Role: Faith can ground you, reminding you of your worth and helping you focus on what really matters, not just external validation.
- Authenticity:
- Importance: Living in line with your true values and beliefs helps cut down on the inner turmoil and exhaustion.
- Implementation: Start by figuring out what truly matters to you, and adjust your actions to match those values.
Practical Steps to Prevent and Recover from Burnout:
- Step into Authenticity:
- Identify Values: Get clear on what really matters to you, and make sure your life reflects those priorities.
- Reduce Dissonance: Stop living according to other people’s expectations if they don’t align with your values.
- Self-Care and Sustainable Change:
- Beyond Short-Term Fixes: Sure, vacations and breaks are great, but the key to long-term prevention is staying true to your personal values.
- Energy Management: Use tools like color-coding your calendar to spot and manage energy-draining activities.
- Peace Method:
- Pursue Your Yes: Be crystal clear about what really matters to you and focus on that.
- Energize Your Being: Take care of your basic health needs—eat well, sleep well, and stay active.
Challenges in Embracing Authenticity:
- Cultural and Societal Pressures: Societal norms and pressures often drown out your personal values and self-discovery.
- Self-Discovery Process: Figuring out your true values and interests can be tough, especially if you’ve been out of touch with them for a while.
