Hello Again,

As I was searching for the answer of how to overcome burnout, I learned a few interesting facts. I recall a huge “A-ha” moment.

A Shift in Perspective

When I thought of burnout, I equated it to overworking.  I thought of the long hours.  I reflected on the physical, mental and emotional demands of work and life.  Little did I know, burnout can be a result of a variety of factors - not only overworking.

External Factors: The Silent Culprits

Burnout isn't only a result of relentless work hours. External factors, including your environment and interactions, play a significant role. Signs that one’s external environment might be contributing to burnout include:

• Unhealthy Relationships: Toxic relationships at work or in personal life. Consistent negative feedback without the positive to balance it. 

• Poor Work Environment: A workplace lacking structure, support or communication.

• Lack of Recognition: Feeling undervalued or unappreciated in your professional and personal life.

• High Demands: Feeling constant pressure for more output. More physically, intellectually, emotionally. 

• Lack of Collaboration: Feeling like everyone is out for themself.  Lack of a cohesive plan or mission.  Lack of teamwork.  Lack of effective leadership. 

• Lack of Resources: Not having the right tools to get the job done. 

Internal Factors: What we may not be aware of

Internal factors are equally crucial in understanding burnout and how it can develop. These can include:

• Unmet Needs: Feeling unsupported or unheard. Experiencing a lack of trust or psycological safety to express ideas or thoughts. Experiencing am lack of opportunity to learn or grow. Experiencing a lack of stability or comfort. A lack of autonomy, novelty or variety, as well as a lack of a sense of purpose.

• Poor Boundaries: Difficulty in saying no, leading to overwhelm.

• Limiting Beliefs: Negative thought patterns that keep us stuck. These limiting beliefs can be about oneself or the world around them.  They can hinder both personal and professional growth.

My Personal Awakening - It Wasn't only the Hours

For me, the realization came when I took an honest look at my own burnout journey. Yes, the long hours and demanding work were contributors, but they weren't the only players. The emotions of exhaustion, irritability, and the nagging feeling in my gut that something was off were telling me more. They had some buddies - chronic worry, pessimism, and the pressure that I felt in all areas of my life.  I didn’t know what I wanted or what I needed. This was because I had not stopped moving or “doing” long enough to ask myself those questions.  This was having an impact on those around me and on my own wellbeing.

Tools for Transformation: Auditing the factors

Recognizing that burnout extends beyond overworking was a step in the right direction. My journey led me to understand that addressing the root cause is crucial. To create lasting change I had to understand the root cause. What were the multiple factors that contributed to my burnout? Understanding them was the key to getting past surface-level solutions so that I could experience sustainable change. This is the foundation of the coaching programs that I offer.

A Call to Action - Perform your own audit

Did any of this resonate with you? If you're feeling the weight of burnout, it's vital to understand that it might not be only about the hours you put in.  For now, take some time to reflect on the external and internal factors that I mentioned.  What factors are affecting you? Post them in the comments. In future posts, I'll share more insights and information about the multiple factors that contribute to burnout. I'll also share what I did to address them. 

Remember, you're not on this journey alone.

Here's to breaking the silence and suffering around burnout. Here's to recognizing the signs, discovering the way out of the chaos and into a life that’s designed by you.

Cheering you on to healing and self-discovery,

Holly ◡̈