Remedying stress and burnout
Pretty frequently, when I begin talking with individuals who have high stress or burnout they will list the ways they feel exhausted and distressed. And then it surfaces. Often see people have forgotten what originally brought them to whatever it is they are doing. Not in the sense that they forget why they have a general interest in something, but more like they loose touch with what inspired them. They have become untethered to their sense of purpose. Rewards of work or relationships then get reduced. Sometimes it feels merely like a pay check, or a token response people’s inquiries about what they do. Or worse yet, a insignificant filler of their days rather than an intentional use of time that feeds them.
Stepping outside the stress-inducing piles and burdens of work, let’s consider a metaphor of a pencil.
A new pencil has a sharp point and writes clear lines. Through time, as the tip’s lead rubs the page, it whittles to a nub. The writing takes on a fuzzy, less impressive quality. Like a need to refuel internal reserves, if the pencil isn’t regularly sharpened, it can be easy to forget that the entire length of the writing implement holds lead. Re-freshed pencil points remain untapped.
In the case of burnout, we’re looking at your work’s sustenance. Securing sustainability can be accomplished by tuning into two aspect of human functionality.
They are passion and capacity. Crucial to exuberance, I regularly see people conflating these to their sustainability’s detriment. Both are critical. But neglecting to assess each independently can result in working with less than healthy habits or churning out lackluster outcomes.
Passion
Passion is interest, emotive lure, and a pride of meaningfulness.
Capacity
While capacity is more about time, resources and internal endurance or attention span.
I recall a professor in my undergrad years who declared that she, unlike her colleagues, loved to teach intro level classes because it reminded her why she originally committed to years of study and research in her field. She used a facet of her work to continually bring her back in touch with her passion. Although she mentioned this in passing, it was a nugget of wisdom I held onto and still feel grateful to have been imparted.
The capacity aspect is perhaps less provocative, but essential nonetheless. It’s an aspect to evaluate very shortly after the passion to do something or get involved ignites. For example, when I begin any sort of work with a group, I usually ask people to talk about their availability for the endeavor, and limitations with their scheduling. Otherwise, seemingly minor points like someone having an obligation that takes them out of the loop for part of a process can really cut into available time. This unasked question can result in assumed, productive time that is actually nonexistent. Similarly, when emotional, physical, mental or financial limitations go unevaluated, the work eventually runs on fumes or a burnout crisis emerges. People can only sustain interest and dedicate resources for a certain duration. Acting on that reality from jump, or at least having a reasonable conceptualization can seriously save projects and peoples’ spirits.
To work, (by which I mean anything taking your energy and requiring mental attention) without canvassing the conditions under which you undertaking it is like going on a hike and neglecting to consider what the terrain, weather and length of the excursion will exert on you.
sustainability sharpening
Now return to your pencil, and sustainability sharpening! What dulls your pencil tip? You cannot refill those internal and external reserves without considering what they are. How often do you need to sharpen and refill? What kinds of activities will freshen the pencil’s point? Lastly, what do you need to do to really step away when you need perspective or a pause in the trying aspects of the work?
Check out this guided process I created. It is designed to help you brainstorm what you need during different phases of your work.
quai [at] discoverspace.me (646) 580-6634 Contact me about remote support services for burnout
