A blog about leadership and confidence.
by Lisa Hinz • Leadership Development
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How to Manage Burnout as a Leader
Burnout. It sucks the life out of you. It follows you everywhere you go - like a little lost puppy, except that it's not cute and you're not tempted to keep it.
Managing burnout is easier said than done. There are things outside of your control, and there are things that you can influence and control.
Being able to recognize what's within your circle of influence and control can make a difference. Check out some of these considerations that might help you to manage overwhelm and burnout.
#1 - PAUSE AND ACKNOWLEDGE
Recognize that you’re feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. Acknowledging your feelings is the first step towards addressing them.
#2 - TAKE A BREAK
If possible, step away from your work for a short break. Even a few minutes of deep breathing, stretching, or a quick walk can help clear your mind.
#3 - PRIORITIZE TASKS
Make a list of tasks and prioritize them based on urgency, impact, and importance. Break them down into smaller, manageable steps.
By focusing on each step rather than the entire project, it can make it less overwhelming.
#4 - DELEGATE
Don’t hesitate to delegate tasks to colleagues if you have the option. Sharing the workload can relieve some of the pressure.
If perfectionism is a reason why it’s hard for you to let go of tasks, seek some online training or work with a coach to learn how to manage it.
#5 - SET BOUNDARIES
Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. Avoid checking emails or working during your off-hours as much as you can. If you need to, keep your laptop in its bag and out of reach. Allow yourself only certain times to check your work phone, if at all.
If this seems impossible, do it for two or three nights. See how it goes. Small steps can lead to bigger steps.
#6 - TALK TO YOUR SUPERVISOR
If your workload is consistently unmanageable, have an open conversation with your supervisor. They may be able to help you find solutions or redistribute tasks.
#7 - SEEK SUPPORT
Talk to friends, family members, a peer group, a coach or a therapist about your feelings. Burnout can feel lonely and isolating. Sometimes, expressing your emotions can provide relief and perspective.
#8 - LEARN TO SAY NO
If you’re consistently taking on more than you can handle, practice saying no to additional tasks or commitments.
If you can’t say no, learn to say, “Yes, and...” and then establish some boundaries around what you’re committing to.
#9 - TAKE TIME OFF
If possible, consider taking a vacation or personal days to recharge. Your mental, emotional, and physical health need the break. It can help you gain some clarity and come back with renewed energy or a new perspective.
#10 - ADVOCATE FOR YOURSELF
Be willing to speak up. If you’re a people pleaser and you don’t want to feel like you’re letting people down, you will always say yes to everything.
This ends up enabling others to constantly rely on you at the sake of your personal well-being. It’s not sustainable - you’re one person and can only take on so much at one time.
It’s okay to ask for help and prioritize your well-being. Overcoming burnout takes time and effort, but with the right strategies and support, you can regain your balance and thrive again.
And YOU deserve to thrive.
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