10 signs you’re on the brink of burnout
And how to spot it before you become another statistic
Foundhers, we need to talk about burnout.
Whether you’re running your own business, leading a team or aiming high in your current role, burnout is a phenomenon that too many of us dance around in our daily lives.
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Its hallmarks? Exhaustion, cynicism and a lack of efficiency.
Sound familiar? While some people think of burnout as a badge of honour, a marker of how hard they’ve worked, in reality, it’s a serious syndrome that can affect your mental and physical health.
It’s also increasingly common. According to Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends 2019 report, “Seventy-eight per cent of founders of start-ups report burnout. That percentage increases as the business ages, with businesses from two to 10 experiencing the highest burnout at 86 per cent.”
At foundher, we see the warning signs of burnout – and its consequences – a lot. That’s why we’re passionate about shifting the conversation from what to do, to who to be. Because when you learn to live and work sustainably, you can perform at a high level without running on empty.
Problem is, when you’re in the thick of it, it can be hard to see burnout building. So, how can you work out if your system needs an upgrade? Here are 10 signs that you’re currently running a way of being that’s on track to crash and burn.
#1 You feel like you’re treading water
Hands up if you feel like you’re constantly working and always on-the-go, but not getting anywhere near the results you need or want?
#2 You’re too busy to exercise
You have some helpful habits in your back pocket, such as exercise or meditation, but as soon as you get ‘too busy’ you stop doing the things that really help.
#3 You’re always on call
You’ve upgraded your systems and grown your team and now the demand on you and your time has ballooned. The result? You’ve lost time to reflect and focus on the big picture.
#4 You’re not doing your best work
Do you have days, even weeks, where you feel extremely stressed and anxious, like you’re going a million miles an hour to get through your to-dos, but the output still isn’t your best? Instead, it always feels like ‘just enough’, and you know you can do better.
#5 You’re worried you’ll never be enough
You used to have big goals and dreams but now you’re starting to secretly worry that the real impact you want to make won’t ever come to fruition.
#6 You take breaks, but they never help
Do you plan mini-breaks or getaways, but no longer feel energised by them? Rather, you’re so rushed to get things done before you down tools that you collapse by the time it comes to switch off.
#7 You’ve lost direction
You’re in the weeds and you can’t seem to get out long enough to focus on your actual job – setting the direction for your business and team.
#8 You’re glued to your phone
From calls to emails to social media, your phone is starting to feel like another limb. You feel anxious without it, and you suspect your creativity is stagnating in response.
#9 Your growth has flatlined
You worry how you will ever grow your business or progress in your career because you have zero spare time and feel (secretly) burnt out.
#10 You dread the future
Just quietly – you don’t even want to say this one out loud – you’re worried that you can’t keep up this pace for another 20 years, and you dread how much worse things are going to get.
So, what now?
It’s a confronting list, we know. But the upside is, if you can relate, it’s a clear sign that your current operating mode is unsustainable – and you can do something about that.
When was the last time you upgraded how you plan your days and weeks, how you think about decisions and how you navigate finding certainty so you can move forward?
It’s not easy to do alone – but foundher can help. To get started, read more about the seven habits that underpin a sustainable pace, and what it means to shift from ‘doing’ to ‘being’. And, if you’re ready to find your own sustainable pace, make sure you sign up to our community masterclass about productivity on 9th April, 2021.
It’s time to say goodbye to the burnout loop for good.