Burnout to Breakthrough: How to Create Calm from Chaos
NEW BOOK GIVEAWAY!!
20 copies available!!
Leave a comment on this guest post by Eileen McDargh to become eligible for one of 20 complimentary copies of her new book, Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What Matters.
(Deadline for eligibility is 8/9/2020. International winners will receive electronic versions.)
The onslaught of converging events—a pandemic, severe economic downturn, social unrest, anger, and bitter feuding in political arenas—have left us feeling unmoored from the “normal.”
Burnout has become the symptom for everyone from remote workers to healthcare professionals, from teachers to essential workers.
The good news: burnout can be overcome but it takes time, awareness, and action. Resilience is the mantra of the day, but it doesn’t come in a ready-made package. It’s a skill that must be built and cultivated.
Resilience is not about bouncing back. It’s about growing through.
Resilience starts in our heads.
Stop, look, and listen.
Denial is not a river in Egypt. Listen to your body. Self-talk that insists on constant motion, production, and performance does no one any good.
Constant exhaustion is not only dangerous but counter-productive, leading to error and rework.
Set boundaries or be de-fenceless.
The courage to say “no” or “not now” is the hallmark of good self-leadership.
Know your energy drainers and your energy maintainers.
Your spirit is like a battery. If you discharge the battery, there’s no forward momentum. What renews your energy? Exercise? Playing? Talking (not griping) to a friend? Meditation?
Routine can comfort the soul.
When the world is upside down and frightening, the creation of a routine offers a sense of stability.
Set limits between work and home. Create a routine that takes your mind off work and instead creates a space for calm.
Whether it’s an aromatherapy shower or taking the dog to the park, whether it’s gardening or ironing—the activity is calming. Yes, I know: ironing?! Both Sandra Bullock and I share this as a way of creating order in our lives.
Look for the funny.
Laughter lightens the load.
What resilience practices help you navigate burnout?
Eileen McDargh is the CEO of The Resiliency Group. She is an internationally recognized keynote speaker, master facilitator, and award-winning author with expertise in resiliency and leadership. The British research firm of Global Gurus International ranks her in the top five of the 30 Communication masters worldwide. Her articles have appeared in countless publications and two of her books have been awarded national recognition, including the Ben Franklin Gold Award. Her seventh book will be released August 4: Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What Matters. You can learn more about Eileen and her work here: http://www.eileenmcdargh.com.
This is fantastic! During the last few months I have been working on evaluating healthier rhythms. Not perfect, but progressing.
Thanks for writing. Appreciate it. Come follow me on Linked in:)
Great, timely topic, great quote, and truly great writing. Keep up with the excellent work!
Taking a Break to recharge is crucial to ensure result delivery especially now when zoom fatigue can contribute to burnout
This is so needed for so many people. Even talking to someone about being calm at times seems to create stress.
Great stuff! So many nuggets of helpful advice and tips to manage through this difficult time we’re all facing. Thank you!
I have really benefited from the Zoom yoga that I’ve been doing in the Pandemic, which has given me new ways to think about living in each moment, plus we’ve created a wonderful community. Starting to watch Parks & Recreation from the beginning has also provided additional laughter in my life.
This is such a valuable resource. I have started to become more intentional in soul care and promoting it as a necessity to persevere in these trying times.
We tend to think “just one more day and things will be better tomorrow” and yet that next day ends up being identical to the one we just had. We need to start now before the ship goes completely under the water and we cannot recover.
Really love this article. I work in healthcare and the idea of burnout is not new in that industry. The difficulty has been how to recover from it. The idea of resiliency and self-care is somewhat new. This is a great intro to the concept. Hope I win the book to learn more!!
I would love to read this book. I have definitely been feeling the burnout over the last year or so. Much chaos to navigate right now.
If you don’t get the free one, I think you’ll find the prices for paper back as well as ebook to be very reasonable. Yeah for trade paper!
Stop, Look, Listen, Evaluate. I have found myself needing to evaluate what is important and what can wait on a more frequent basis.
I’m exploring how to find a pace for work that brings hope in every encounter…growing through!
Very timely insight! Most of us are now working at home and are not use to working, eating, sleeping, relaxing, and everything else inside the same for walls! Routines (not ruts) are very helpful! Eileen McDargh provides spot on insight on these uncharted waters! Thank you!
This really resonates, it is so difficult to step back and make time for self care.
And I run almost every day- 5 miles before breakfast. My brain doesn’t work if I don’t move my body–tho 20 minutes of meditation precede lacing up the shoes.
I’m a strong advocate of running. I was at 3 days a week before pandemic, increased it now to 5 days to answer to exactly what you are speaking about.
This is a great article. It alone helps on the journey. The book would be great to read ans share.
Set limits between work and home. This has become harder with teleworking. I find myself thinking about work more while at home and not on the clock.
This book seems very timely given the tremendous amount of “uncertainty” that exists in our world today. Being able to find and live a life grounded by an inner peace will be crucial for leaders, in fact everyone, as we live our day to day lives. Howie
Just what I need! I would be honored to receive the copy and equally enthusiastic to read.
I enjoyed the article. As a school leader I have had to build before and during this pandemic to continue to grow for the betterment of teachers and students. My “ironing” is getting out and running a few miles before most other folks are awake. Running is therapeutic- clears my head,let’s me listen to my favorite bands and also helps take care of my body.
The problem with saying “no” or “not now” is that there’s usually somebody else who will say “Yes” or “Right away”, and you don’t get asked again.
training your way through, verses trying to get better – love the thoughts and path to being healthier
Thank you for sharing this today. I really needed it since losing my FT job due to Coronavirus.
Hmm … I took a test last month that showed my innate talents. It also showed that I was burnt out literally. Yup! Quit my job in May … couldn’t face another day of the hamster wheel. There was no going forward. It was fundamentally unhealthy for my mental and psychical health (they are very closely tied together). I AM BURNT OUT!
I’ve been here before. It’s tough … but I do have a path forward. This path forward, this vision of my destination of what I want to achieve I use to pull myself forward out of the the muck of burnout. Now I’m studying to become a LEED Green Associate. It may not get me a job right away but it is a stepping stone for my vision that reflects how I want to live my life on my own terms. Not on the terms of an employer who belittles you and treats you like the most unimportant part of the team … hence why I left my job recently.
The challenge to set boundaries is one that many leaders and others just can’t seem to do. It’s a powerful way to reduce burnout.
Burnout is real in the current workplace.
It was very helpful to hear the term and description of “burnout” right now. Like so many words and phrases, it can easily become cliche and therefore lose its meaning. Reflecting on this description and reality in the midst of so many changes and the contingency planning around pandemic was timely. Thanks!
This is a perfect topic not only for the strange times we are in but also for those of us that tend to over-do it. We think that by doing more with less, we are being efficient and ultimately successful. The truth is we are accomplishing one thing – burnout. After 20 years in Corrections, burnout is something all too familiar. We have to stop thinking that the only way to be successful is to continue to work harder. We need to put more focus on our mental health. Great topic today! Thanks!
The timing of this book couldn’t be better! Would love to read it. Thanks!
A really important read. With so much chaos and uncertainty we all need to turn our mind to finding tools to help navigate and come out better on the other side.
This is good! I’m dealing with burnout right now and learning how to navigate through it. I really like the thought growing through rather than just simply bouncing back.
I am 45 and have struggled most of my life with balance (Pretty sure the ADHD has a significant part in this). The past few years although I have been trying to find better balance, I still struggle with “burnout.” Sometimes it is simply from the mental exhaustion from my mind always being revved. Just this morning I was reminded that God instructed us to work six days and rest on the seventh. This is a work in progress! Would love to receive a copy of this book!
This is incredibly timely for me (as I would imagine others as well) so knowing you can get out of a burnout situation gives me much hope! Looking forward to reading this!
I need to dig deeper into Eileen thoughts here. With COVID I find myself needing to develop resilence
Dan thanks for pointing out how to bounce back from burnout. It’s essential that we are self aware of what we are feeling and thinking at any given moment. Your tips help ground one to discover the steps towards restoration, health and success.
Listening to my body led me to a cardiologist this summer. I had thought I regularly practiced the main points in this post, putting a divider between work and home, having fun with friends and my Afghan Hounds, delegating lower work functions. Yet my body spoke up through daily blood pressure monitoring prescribed by my doctor. Taking the time to *really* listen may have saved my life. This has led to a deeper understanding of perseverance and resilience. It *is* growing through to a better place. Thanks for the great post.
What a timely book and topic! There is some much more going on when people say they are burned out. Love the approach being described in the article and the new book. Hope this book helps people find some peace and calm in the world today.
This is very timely for me right now, so I am hopeful knowing that you can grow out of a burnout situation. I think the pandemic has increased the rate of speed for most people! I look forward to reading this 🙂
Great points…trying to tackle the chaos, can miss ourselves sometimes…I like the concept of chunking the work…a few hours at a time, then wal, stretch, mediate, pushups, etc. This helps you push through, as you wrote in the opening quote…I love that quote…not bouncing back yet pushing through…The keep rolling mindset…If you don’t quit, you can’t fail
Such a relevant topic in this time of chaos and uncertainty! I work in IT for a university, and March/April were excruciating! There were days I was working 15 hours. I got to the other side of it, but we are about to go through another challenge with Fall Semester starting in a couple of weeks. This book looks like it would be just the insightful, supportive information I need right about now. I love Leadership Freak and often share your wisdom with my leadership team. I would love to get a copy of this book!
These are very useful points. Thank you for those.
I think it is also very important to know what really can and can’t be done in your situation.
Don’t forget, finding another job where the situation is different is always an option.
Looks Great ! Roots Run Deep In Our Created Nature. Bound To The Journey It’s Necessary To Stay Calm And Anchored.
Thank you for the very timely reminder about self-care!
These resilience practices are solid gold and very timely during the pandemic. I have been focusing on 1% better for my spiritual, physical and emotional well being. Not a major overhaul- simply focusing on what can I do today to be 1% better than yesterday? “Resilience starts in our heads.” Thank you for providing these simple practices we can implement today.
Unmoored from the “normal.” I’ve been searching for a term to describe it. Now I have. Great article, thanks for sharing.
I guess the takeaway here is that Sandra Bullock likes to iron, so do you, and for some reason you know that she likes to iron. I promise to take a new look at ironing. My de-stresser can also repetitive but it tends to be a craft. Right now – making masks.
“Bouncing back” has often been overused to encourage growth. Resilience and the right attitude are so much more powerful tools to achieve one’s goals. It kinda removes the need to “bounce back”! Thank you for the refreshing insight!
Studying burnout and talking about it is a huge and humbling need for us all. CEO’s burnout like the best of us.
Gratitude could be another one to help build resilience?
Yes and Amen! For marriage too!
There is definitely a lot going on in the world to create the conditions for burnout. The day-to-day of what before Covid was considered “normal” was enough to set most people on that path. With everything that is happening now, uncertainty about the economy, the job market, education, the very social structure of our society, added to a lack of ownership of the situation at the highest level of government right down to the people closest to us that make the decisions that affect our daily lives, it’s easy to understand that many of us, most of us, are fully in the throws of burnout. Any resource that helps us through to the other side of all of this intact and hopefully wiser for the experience is welcome and needed. I look forward to checking this book out to find some inspiration to make that journey.
I’ve struggled during this new work from home world to understand the difference between burnout and outside stressors. How to connect with my team so I can ensure that they’re getting what they need.
I love this idea shared that resilience is growing through. My favorite motivator is words of affirmation. Glow-up! its fun for adults and youth. They get it. All we need is a few reminders to remember we are valuable. Taking care of ourselves is about self awareness. So I agree- don’t wait till you’re unhappy or stressed to realize you need some YOU time. Glow up.
After suffering three panic attack episodes since 2014, I’ve become acutely aware of the physical signs & symptoms of burnout, not only in myself but also in others. It’s an ongoing, daily process of ensuring that my team members & I don’t end up suffering another round of burnout! My team knows that, unless it’s a matter of life-and-death, everything can wait (be it for me or for them). I like working from home as it allows me to manage my own schedule.
Set limits between work and home. Create a routine that takes your mind off work and instead creates a space for calm. How come it took me so many years to recognize this one. But when I did my work and life became more efficient and better. You don’t have to do it all all the time.
Scheduling a “mindful break” during my day to ensure that I step away from the chaos and recenter back to calm.
I just wrote a blog on this same topic and look forward to reading this book. Thank you so much.
Knowing one’s self and how energy is refreshed and recharged is so essential. That allows a person to manage their own emotions and to find the will, patience, and persistence to see things through. Emotional and physical self-care lay the foundation for developing resilience.
This really resonates
Liked “Resilience starts in our heads”…so true. What I dwell on now turns into my next step reality. Allowing space and freedom for my mind to breath stimulates fresh energy to take on daily challenges.
We had our house Burn down 14 years ago so the burnout was a different kind but still many of these points are what we needed to get through. The bigger the change the longer the transition it will take, I learned to be patience with myself and the process. I want this book!!!!
i liked “Resilience is not about bouncing back. It’s about growing through.”
Very timely, thoughtful and helpful! Thank you for this “gift” today, before I start a few days vacation. There is so much talk of “resilience” but clearly we cannot ‘bounce back’ to what we had/did before since that version normalcy will never return. Instead we have to “grow through” to be able to thrive in the “next normal”…..which is still being defined. So being flexible, accepting that there are many things beyond our control, yet doing what we can to manage our circumstances (including masking up, social distancing, and voting) is all part of maintaining forward progress. Taking time for ourselves, for self-care conserves and builds strength for everything else. (And Yes, ironing is on my list since I do find it relaxing and calming….the body repeats known movements and the mind can drift peacefully).
Seems like impeccable timing!
“Denial is not a river in Egypt”. You’re right. But it is the first stage of mourning. Over the years have seen to many of my collegues spending a to long period in that stage.That is where your leadership may help. A combination of a concrete and genuine offer of help and some friendly pressure may be what’s needed to help somebody find the way uphill again.
Navigating a new position through these uncharted waters. I’m going to need this book!
Great insights. Very good article
So important, especially right now as the work / life balance lines blur with remote work being the new normal. Knowing your energizers & drainers is a must!
Setting boundaries between work and home is especially challenging in the new WFH environment. I would love to hear more about how to guide my team members in this arena. Your book sounds amazing.
This article is awesome! New normal…we can build calm for ourselves and others. Seeing this as an adventure with opportunities is helpful!
Boy, do I ever need this book right now!
I’ve found being in nature is a good reset for me!
A technique that has helped me is to pause when I see myself in the mirror. Pause, take a deep breath, and then intentionally smile as I let the breath go. It doesn’t take long, but it seems to act as a restart mechanism to rotate perspective and walk away with hope and a forward-facing outlook. In the process I’ve also started to notice the thing I had to let go in order to smile at my reflection, which gives me a clue as to what to give up or say “no” to in order to achieve a better balance.
It’s easy to get caught in a negative thought loop. The more problems we see the more we become wired to see problems. I challenge myself and others to find a positive for every negative. It’s not always easy but it’s worth it.
Thank you for the clear and simple mindful techniques I and the leaders I coach can implement immediately in their lives and organizations.
This is a fantastic post, thank you so much for sharing. Looking forward to reading this book.
Having had to change our entire business during this difficult time, I know that I am able to handle difficult situations that may come my way in the future. Taking time to focus on the present and being grateful for everyday moments; my family, my dog and having a nice dinner outside; makes life more enjoyable!
Wow, what a great topic for this time in history. As a leader, I see people struggling with mental health issues and unable to cope with present circumstances. The constant bombardment of bad news, politics, worry, pandemic issues, racial division, and uncertainty is hurting people. Resiliency and refocusing is key!
What a fantastic for this world today. This book would be helpful for me but also my team, partners, friends and children. It is so easy to slip into a dark place. We need more ideas on how to keep ourselves and others on top of their business!
Good Morning, I read a response earlier that this is perfect timing. I work for a company that is considered essential workers, however, all of our employees have a disability of some sort. From physical, emotional, mental, sight impaired or hearing impaired. It has been an extreme challenge not burning out and providing some sort of accommodation during the pandemics that is constantly changing with all the EO’s. Michigan has been one of the hardest hit. Then we throw on top of all that the economics, politics and racial protests/riots and it has been an even harder nightmare for our folks. We are persevering during this time and will continue to. Any supports or directions will be helpful. Thank you for your insight.
What a very difficult position to be in!~ Wish I had an easy answer. I don’t Here is my initial thought: Meet each employee “where they are”. In other words, check in with them. Ask if they are taking some time for themselves. Let them know they matter. Your care will be shone in your eyes and voice. It matters
It reminds me that from the ashes the Phoenix arose. Being realistic with oneself and others and self-care is crucial – it always has been – it is only now that we are being prodded to realize how much so. Realizing that we are viewing the world through a much different lens – the previous rules and reasoning doesn’t necessarily apply.
Burnout is always common in my field. Would be a good read.
This is very timely and I would love to learn more about creating more calm in my life and with those I lead. For me, I look forward to taking live yoga via zoom, to take some time for myself to refresh.
Reading “Burnout to Breakthrough: Building Resilience to Refuel, Recharge, and Reclaim What Matters” could be therapeutic in and of itself! Looking forward to a relaxing and rejuvinating read!
that is, rejuvEnating
Great tips for all given the new types of stress we are facing in these unprecedented times. I also add to find an outlet to release the stress. It could be physical (punching bag, hard run, long walk), cuddling a pet / following peoples’ pets on social media.
Resilience! So needed in our world right now, great timing. Doing our best doesn’t mean working or worrying ourselves to death!
This would be a great read for myself and to share with my staff. These last few months have changed not only how we work but why we do what we do. Appreciate the article
Most awaited topic. Looking forward to it.
We have been working from home for 5 months. I do daily touchpoints with my staff to let them know that I am thinking about them and also see what they are doing to take care of themselves while being at home because they can’t separate home from work right now and will not be for the rest of the year. We are also practicing mindfulness, 20 minutes a day.
I was encouraged reading this post. Okay, I’m going to have re-think ironing. Escaping into the Bible and fiction help restore me.
I enjoyed this post. Okay, I’m going to have to re-think ironing. For me, reading both the Bible and fiction help to restore me daily. No doubt both enable me to escape my reality.
Like SO many of us, I too have been struggling with burnout, since even before this crazy pandemic. I love the idea that being resilient equals me GROWING through the burnout vs simply “bouncing back”. How many times have we all “bounced back” after a burnout only to find ourselves right back in the same burned out space once again? This article was well said and definite food for thought and I look forward to reading the book!
Excited to learn more!
Very timely article, now more than ever, atleast in my lifetime I am personally experiencing the chaos like never before. Thank you for discussing tips and strategies to handle chaos and converting it to calm.
After being furloughed (for a month) when the shut down happened in Canada, I was quite sad and anxious. I worried that I might not be hired back or permanently laid off. I did have a leader fight for me everyday and after the month I was brought back. The joy it gave me to feel that I was important was something I didn’t sometimes see in myself.
So I made some changes to my personal well being and began exercising everyday. It has help my sleep and kept my mind clear, this has helped my overall health and given me the drive to an overall better balance.
This post was timely today and thank you so much for sharing.
“Resilience is not about bouncing back. It’s about growing through”
Great quote. Wonderful advice
Thank you
Would love the opportunity to read your book, I just took a remote seminar through my company that walked through the steps to resiliency, acceptance as the first step. Would love to see if your philosophies line up with what was taught in our recent class.
Routine can be a challenge as much as an asset. Routine to provide structure and framework is good, but too much routine can lead to burnout as well. We should discuss to changing things up for ourselves and our teams to remain fresh and drive energy in this environment.
This would be a great read! “Routine can comfort the soul” really resonates with me and sadly routine is what most of us are lacking right now.
I really like the idea of “not now” as opposed to saying no. I have had the no conversation with many colleagues over the years who simply are not in a position to say no and while I have shared ideas similar to the “not now” concept I have never found as clean a way to represent the concept of reviewing priorities – maybe it is now, but then what else is “not now”. Thanks for the post, insightful as always.
100% agree – regaining work life balance is something that is so important since working from home during this period.
Great Resource!
Oh my gosh this couldn’t have come at a better time. I always thought my resilience levels were good. This pandemic and being isolated at home (living alone) has been incredibly challenging. Now the possibility of returning to the workplace is a little scary.
I would love to read your book, what a generous gift. Thank you 🙏🏻
This post really hit home today for me! I’m the Director of HR for a public school system. We are facing a lot of chaos currently with school having to open school to in person classes during a pandemic, experiencing a teacher shortage in our secondary building, and trying to help calm the fears and anxiety of our staff, students, parents, and community has been tough. Our administrative team is going to get through this current chaos that is causing us stress and feelings of professional burnout. We used laughter today in our meeting to help bring joy and positive thoughts to our meeting. We all love our students, staff, school and community, but during these chaotic times we need to be reminded.
If there’s anything I need in my professional life, it’s the solutions in this book!
“Your spirit is like a battery. If you discharge the battery, there’s no forward momentum.” I love that! Thank you for sharing.
Setting and consistently following time limits to balance work and personal activities is essential to maintaining perspective and avoiding burnout. Thank you for the reminder.
Resilience and flexibility are the anthems for 2020. Also, I haven’t heard and employed the concept of grace so much among people leadership and coaching people through this unique year. Thanks again Dan for joining our small group virtually a few weeks ago. -Eric
Nice words to help someone like me overcome this moments… Will need the book.
A timely topic, particularly in the unknown of how long the chaos will continue. I’m looking for ways to create calm at work leading my team, and at home leading my family, and do it in a way that doesn’t completely deplete myself. I look forward to reading your book!
I hope that the book offers ideas.. often small. But then again, small can be powerful ! Ever had a mosquito in a sleeping bag 🌈
As someone who has experienced burnout and has been told I’m resilient, I would be interested in reading this book.
Very timely with working from home, even harder to step away when workload and deadlines scream at me!!
Eileen’s statement “resilience is not about bouncing back but growing through” immediately spoke to my heart when I read it. I will no longer refer to being resilient as “bouncing back” or “rebounding.” Forever growing through… Thank you for the encouragement today.
Appreciate your comments
I love this article and it is very timely…. like several other pieces you have written, Dan! I am doing my best with resilience but the current telework situation has arrows flying from all different directions. Stress is at an all time high for my team and I am doing my best to keep the calm. I lead a technology services team that is front and center with every employee and contractor. Praying for normalcy!
Thanks Lisa. Remember–just one day at a time!
We are definitely facing burnout in education. Teachers already had incredible weights, the COVID crisis risks tipping the scale further. Thank you for this post and resource.
As a former classroom educator, I so appreciate your statement. We need help on so many front–not the least of which is getting ALL children equipped with Internet Access and computers. Good many do not have that. Then, we need to learn ourselves about this world of digital learning. aNd, you might have some zoom calls with fellow teachers to talk about what others are finding helpful.
“Growing Through” will be familiar to Christians as, “We also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope, and hope does not disappoint.” There’s no Back to Bounce to.
Humor helps. Someone living with generalized anxiety told me, “Everyone’s now experiencing what we’ve been in training for all of our lives.”
Gratitude and generosity help. Some advice I’m waiting for the opportunity to put into practice is “team up with someone who doesn’t look like you and help someone who’s worse off than both of you.” That’s from Tony Evans, about race and suffering.
There are many lessons for us Americans in all of this. The tuition is pretty steep, and we’re going to be stuck with the student loans for a long time. So I hope we’re actually learning.
One is that Resiliency and Maximizing (Income, Profit, whatever) can’t coexist. Leave some slack. Save for a rainy day. “It wasn’t raining when Noah started building the boat.” Too late now, America, let’s do better next time.
I’ve faced burnout many times throughout my professional career. Recently, as a newly promoted manager, I have the honor of training coaches to help guide formerly homeless families through their transformation toward a better life. BUT-the issues are intense and old coping skills are stressful to face and correct. I really try to get my coaches to focus on their ‘centering’ time during the week to set the tone for good self-care and prevent burnout. Early morning quiet time on Mondays, followed by ‘gather my thoughts and wrap up the week’ on Fridays. Structure keeps us from feeling like we’re always putting out fires and makes our emotional and mental health a priority.
It’s ok to take a break to take care of ourselves, even in the busyness and stress of today’s world. This is such an important topic; thank you for the insight and guidance.
This is such a timely and reaffirming message. Most professionals are so used to remaining in control of what is in their circle of influence with much success. In these current times, the bar that indicates how strong we must be has not yet been set and, hence, self-leadership is key. We must listen to self even when those around us do not seem as stressed. Conversely, we mush uplift others when they seem more stressed then we. Thank you very much for these reminders.
Thanks so much. Think you are spot on. Please follow me on Linked In
Spot on, Letha
I’m going to have to purchase this book if I’m not one of the lucky 20 who receives it as a free giveaway! As a long-term staff member of a mega-church, I’ve been talking to our church leadership team about the need for the creation of a Task Force to handle the inevitable burnout of our congregants as we continue to face this “onslaught of converging events” but this post reminds me that it starts at home with me. If I’m burned-out, I will be of no use to those who depend on me/us to come alongside of them when the going gets tough! Thank you for this article and its inherent encouragement!
You are spot on. All work begins with ourselves. Perhaps you might consider bringing me “in” (virtually) to talk with staff members. Be well.
It ishard to make boundaries between work and perosnal life when working from home. A routine defintely help!
Agree- routines help to ground us and can help others who are our ouse get into a rhythm
I’ve found that being consistent with getting up early most mornings to workout and read some news and the Bible helps to replenish me, and gives my day a good foundation of energy and focus.
I’m with you. Sounds similar to my routine. Except I do NOT want to read the news.
Great message and reminder to take care of the “machine” to continue growing and moving forward.
Thanks for your comments
Great thoughts here. We talk about “what gets in the way, becomes the way” and we talk about “you will spend more energy avoiding conflict than working through it”. This takes a lot of attention and effort. Today, I recall leaders “leaning back so that others may lean in” so that the entire team and grow through difficult times. Thank you!
love that line: “Leaders leaning back so others can lead in.” Brilliant
This is a very timely topic. The long term fatigue that my team is experiencing is a daily struggle to manage. I’m constantly looking for new tools to help us through this period.
Let me know if there are other ways I might help you.
Hot topic for sure. Burnout is something we all need to be aware of all the time. While the current climate has brought it to the forefront, it’s important to consider it’ll continue to be a challenge if as a culture we continue to value busy-ness. We need to stop focusing on wearing 50+ hour weeks as a badge of honor and consider how we can make our workloads more manageable so we have non-work time in our lives to recharge, refocus, and focus on ourselves.
No truer words were ever spoken: Stop focusing on 50+ hours. Thanks
This books is timely and much needed. As anxiety levels are through the rough and on multiple fronts for many people, learning how to grow through resilience is a critical skill.
Thanks for your insights
Through the lens of aged care we are seeing our staff needing to be refueled physically mentally and spiritually
I love the resilience quote we learn to build resilience through events and we will never go back to where we were
Thankyou great read
Keep the faith and good work, Amanda
Thanks for these words! This is a topic I have been thinking about a lot lately as I would love to know more about how to become more resilient.
There’ are tons of articles on my web site and the book (both paper back and ebook) are priced quite reasonably. Thanks for your interest
Walking away from my computer and playing badminton have gotten this school principal through the last few months. Thanks for the reminder to grow through.
Haven’t played badminton in years! Keep hitting that shuttlecock and breathe. I am a former classroom teacher. Blessings on you.
Resilience is not about bouncing back. It’s about growing through……………………………Amazing thought and so practical. Would love to read your book
Been thinking about growth in response to adversity and systems that support this , nurture this,model this and give our staff permission to think, recharge , rest and develop creative solutions .
I think, Shelley, you are spot on to invite the staff to be part of the solution. Good work
This needs to become my mantra: “The courage to say “no” or “not now” is the hallmark of good self-leadership.”
BRTAVO..instead of YES!@ it is now NO!!!!!
Love it. Hate I missed the deafline.