Avoid Burning Out By Finding the Right Balance

By: Devin Schubert - Founder of Legendary Leadership Today

Introduction:

It's no secret that being a leader can be stressful. You're constantly juggling different balls, trying to keep everyone happy, and making sure that your team is successful. But what happens when you start to feel overwhelmed? When the stress of being a leader starts to take its toll? That's when you need to find the right balance, get some help, take a break, so you don't end up burning out. Here are some tips on how to avoid burning out as a leader.

By finding the right balance, you'll be able to stay healthy, happy, and most importantly, effective as a leader. So don't wait until it's too late - start implementing these tips today! 👊

1. Define what "burnout" means to you

To me, burnout is an awakening to the truth that we can't constantly be giving our all in every area of life. Burnout is when you have reached a point where no amount of effort, energy, or enthusiasm can help you continue any longer. It's like coming to an abrupt stop on a winding road; you've exhausted all of your resources and feel like there's nothing more you can do. It's an invitation to take a step back and better align our values with the way we are living our life. It can be a scary moment, but it can also become a great opportunity for reflection and exploration that ultimately leads us down a path of more intentional living. I think it can truly become a catalyzing moment for personal growth and development if we learn how to adjust accordingly.

2. Identify the warning signs that you're heading towards burnout territory

Burnout can happen to anyone, but it's important to take steps proactively to avoid getting overwhelmed. Paying attention to the warning signs and taking them seriously is essential in maintaining a healthy mindset. Signs of burnout may include feeling constantly exhausted, a lack of motivation and joy, difficulty concentrating on tasks and generally feeling overwhelmed. It's essential to recognize these signs as soon as possible, as overwhelm can quickly manifest in physical and mental illnesses if not addressed right away. Taking mindful action toward understanding and addressing your feelings can make all the difference in avoiding burnout territory!

3. Find out what work-life balance looks like for you specifically

Finding a work-life balance that is right for you takes dedication, hard work, and most importantly, self-reflection. While our society encourages us to constantly be productive, there needs to be an emphasis placed on the importance of taking time to nurture ourselves. Whether it means spending more time with your family or friends, reading a book, engaging in time with God, or simply taking a break from the hustle and bustle — carving out some alone-time can do wonders for your emotional health. What matters most is that you take the time to really understand what gives you joy and brings meaning into your life so that you can create a daily routine that incorporates both work and play as integral components of your overall wellbeing.

4. Create a plan to achieve and maintain that balance

Striving for balance is a challenging pursuit and achieving it can feel like an ongoing process. We can create a plan to bring that harmony into our lives by deliberately setting boundaries between work and rest, leading to greater efficiency, patience, and joy. Setting time with God, whether to pray or simply reflect in His presence, is also essential for keeping spiritual discipline alongside physical boundaries. As we find strength in our boundaries and close relationship with God, we will discover the greatest balance of all: The peace that comes from abiding faithfully in Him.

5. Implement your plan, and be flexible as needed

God has a plan for each of us and sometimes it's hard to take that first step and put our plan into motion. But God works in mysterious ways, and His plans can lead us to an authentic life of happiness, joy, and fulfillment. Taking that step towards action is faith in God at its most powerful. Be flexible as you go, because God might work in unexpected ways to bring your dreams and goals to fruition. With faith, the courage to step out and the flexibility to let God guide your journey, you can do anything!

6. Check in with yourself regularly to make sure you're still on track

God has given all of us the ability to shape our lives into something we are truly proud of. Part of that process involves taking the time to check in with yourself and hold yourself accountable. It can be helpful to imagine you have an internal coach guiding you as often as possible. Checking in regularly helps to ensure that your practice and focus remain aligned with your goals and values, bringing you closer to achieving your life's meaningful work. It's an empowering reminder that God has equipped each of us with what we need to move forward: our strength, integrity, and determination.

The end result is up to you

We all have a breaking point. A moment when we just can't do it anymore, and feel like we are coming unraveled at the seems. If you're finding yourself feeling this way more frequently or with more intensity than usual, it might be time to take a step back and look at your current situation. Could you be heading towards burnout?

There are warning signs that can help you identify if this is the case, as well as steps you can take to get your life back into balance. The most important thing is to remember that what works for someone else might not work for you - so figure out what makes YOU tick and design a plan accordingly. Once you've got everything in place, don't forget to check in with yourself from time to time to make sure you're still on track.

And finally, if you need some help putting together a plan or just want an outside perspective, reach out by clicking HERE! I'd love to chat with you about how my team and I could support you in living out your God-given purpose without burning out in the process.