How Heavy Is The Boulder That You’re Pushing Uphill?
By Gail Doby, ASID
CVO & Co-Founder, Gail Doby Coaching & Consulting & Design Success University
Are you feeling over-committed? Suffering from burnout? Here are some signs to look for…it may be time for a “factory re-set” so you can see more clearly.
CONFESSION
This has been an unusually challenging week.
My brother-in-law, sister-in-law and niece from Atlanta came to visit for a few hours. We had dinner together and had a nice chat on our deck, and I found myself feeling happy to see them and stressed because we have so many huge (and exciting projects) with big deadlines upon us. I felt guilty for being distracted and anxious.
Over-committed!
Then just yesterday, I found out about four more people that have Cancer making it a total of six people diagnosed in the last 6 months.
Because of the work and emotional stress, this is a week in which I could easily escape to the ocean with my husband, open a bottle of wine and just stare at the waves and the sunset.
Ever feel that way?
Knowing you’re over-committed and out of balance is one thing, but making different decisions can create its own stress. Just know that you’re not alone and that you can make a change.
SIGNS OF BURNOUT
1. You keep adding projects to your plate without fully evaluating the implications on your personal life and your team’s stress level.
2. You work late at night and on the weekends thinking you’ll eventually catch up… and yet you love shiny objects. On the surface, these lovely jewels seem very enticing and necessary to pursue, but they distract from the focus that will bring you closer to your goals.
3. Everything seems to be equally important, so how do you decide what to tackle first? It’s a conundrum that leads to procrastination and floundering.
4. People you care about have “emergencies” and because you know you’re good at listening and helping, you take personal time to be the anchor knowing that you also need for someone to listen and help you manage “all of it.” You’re the “rock” for many people and sometimes you need to let go of being the rescuer.
5. Exercise is a great stress-reliever, but it ends up on the back burner because you’re “just too busy and have too much to get done,” so you don’t take care of yourself because you’re taking care of business and others.
6. Your “to do” list is pages long and sometimes it is easier to browse your Facebook messages instead of tackling the simplest tasks.
7. Instead of eating what is in the refrigerator, it seems easier to drive 15 minutes and order a fast-casual dinner rather than spend 15 minutes cooking.
8. Vacation keeps getting rescheduled because there are pressing priorities or team members that are overwhelmed and need help… besides, how can you relax when there’s so much to do?
9. Meditation doesn’t calm the competing thoughts and you wake up at 2 AM trying to figure out which challenge to solve first.
10. You’re worried about everything and can’t seem to focus on the priorities.
If you’re feeling stressed, burned out, overwhelmed and unsure of what to do next, would you like to “find the flow” in your life?
Sometimes it helps to get a “factory reset” so you can see more clearly, and for me, it comes when I recharge by attending conferences or leading an event… and both are happening in the next week.
I’ll be in Orlando to “re-fuel” for three days, and I’ll have dinner with some great clients, and then we’ll be off to host our Boardroom Retreat in Jackson, Wyoming.
Here’s the great news… we have an opportunity to get a “factory reset” and find your flow August 3 – 5 at the Genius Exchange located at the beautiful property of The Ritz-Carlton, Denver. If your business has reached $250K+ total revenue… go check out the topics and speakers. We can’t wait to see you.
AND… comment below if you see yourself in the 10 signs of being in a boulder-pushing contest!
