Burnout

Having a core value of integrity is important to me but I see it can lead one to pursue overworking, over giving to the detriment of one’s self.

I was that person in a job that had become very out of alignment for so many reasons, but I felt stuck and couldn’t see any other options. Working too hard and feeling constant stress, but yet realizing I was not as productive as I thought I was or wanted to be. In a society, a culture and a workplace environment of overworking, combined with my core value of integrity, I didn’t see a way for things to be different - I was of the mindset of “how dare I not work so hard when everyone else is working so hard”. But the harder I worked the less I felt productive. I realize now on the other side of it, I was burned out and not working up to my capabilities during the working hours, which led to having to put in more hours, which just got me on this hamster wheel.

Another consequence of burnout…when you’re in the middle of that stress you can’t think, can’t see clearly. Working with a coach was a game changer. Having them ask questions like “what are ALL the possibilities to get you off this hamster wheel and out of this stress?” This question sounds simplistic but it really allowed me to truly look at and feel into ALL the possibilities for changes and with a coach comes accountability in taking action on these possibilities.

Had I had a coach 5, 10 even 20 years ago my life would have had a completely different trajectory. But I am now in a position of giving and of integrity but from a place of healthy balance and boundaries around my time and energy.