How To Identify And Prevent An Upcoming Complete Burnout.
Prevention is better than cure, In fact, I would say it is better than any cure.
We work hard to achieve our goals. In this process, we learn to push the envelope and go beyond our comfort zone. And we need to learn to dial back when the situation calls for it.
That is the tricky part. We usually do not know when the situation calls for it. The signs at the beginning are subtle. So, we push through … until it is too late.
I term this The Point Of No Return.
When we arrive at this point, all subsequent incremental efforts become futile. This is when complete burnout becomes obvious, and there is no other remedy except ejecting ourselves from what we do.
I experienced this growing up as a student, an aspiring athlete, and as a working professional. It begins with enthusiasm and then multiple bouts of seriousness leading to a goal-achievement mindset, pushing through even when we are tired, and then … a snapped chord.
Then, the harm is done. I would not want to do this ever again.
Does this sound familiar to you?
If it does, let me share how I identify the tell-tale signs of an upcoming complete burnout and how to prevent it. This is important for our mental health.
Tell-Tale Sign #1 — Obsession.
You are obsessed with what you are currently doing.
One note, there is nothing wrong with obsession. Grant Cardone wrote a book titled Be Obsessed Or Be Average, championing that obsession channeled to productive purpose enhances our Quality of Life.
I agree with that.
The danger with an obsession is this. We are unclear whether we are pushing on a string.
It is one thing to study for 4 hours daily because we love that subject matter. It is another when we study for 4 hours daily every single day without a break.
This sets the stage for the beginning of burnout because fatigue starts to show itself in many innocuous ways.
Tell-Tale Sign #2 — It Gets Increasingly Difficult To Focus.
You love what you do. Somehow, you love it slightly more last week.
We start getting distracted by the same task. Maybe we love writing. Maybe we can spit out Medium stories one after another without distraction last week.
Things change this week.
We still love writing. And we start to love something else. We cannot finish a 5-minute story without playing one round of our favorite mobile games.
We used to finish writing our drafts in one setting last week. Today, we want to get a slice of bread and a 3rd cup of coffee.
Random distractions are normal. The daily occurrence of distractions is not. Our minds are telling us something … if we are willing to pay attention.
Tell-Tale Sign #3 — The Noise In Our Head Gets Increasingly Louder.
Our mind works like an indignant child not getting any attention from their parents.
First, they keep coming over for hugs. Next, they start crying. And then an emotional tsunami erupts where they start throwing toys around.
Our minds function the same way. It will send us subtle messages which we tend to ignore. And then it will start to work against you by initiating distractions.
When it cannot stop us from doing what we are obsessed with, it screams.
This is when our mind goes against us completely.
- I have to finish that article today. No, you are not because you are tired. I have to go for a run today. No, your calves are still sore from the last one.
- I have to meet this prospect to close the deal today. No, you are sick and tired of talking.
- I have to do Y. No, you are absolutely not doing it.
Before you know it, you become mentally sapped without getting anything done.
That is because we expend all our energy trying to overcome that internal inertia ringing loud in our heads.
Can We Overcome Our Inner Voice By Fighting Against It?
Yes, we can. And before long, you will scratch the proverbial Wall of Fatigue. Being sick and tired of something starts from our minds.
The moment we become sick and tired of thinking of it, we are cooked.
The pendulum swings the other way. We were obsessed previously. Now we become cold turkeys and cannot wait to do something else.
The complete burnout is upon us, and we retreat to a deep freeze. It will take many summers to thaw this layer of ice surrounding our initial obsession.
We should not get to a complete burnout on the work we love. It takes time to get past the stage of burnout and engage in what we love.
As such, exercising a little moderation daily guarantees longevity in our passion.
Tip #1 — Enforce Breaks.
You might be wondering. Enforce breaks?
Yes, you are right. We have to, especially for those activities we are obsessed with. They are hard to get away from. Think gamers and content creators. They can go on and on without any breaks.
We have to arrest our good feeling when we keep banging on the same activity for hours without end. Take note. Take time to grab a cup of coffee or head out for lunch.
A change of environment encourages a mental reset. We are fresh when we are back to the task-at-hand.
Tip #2 — Know When We Need To Stop.
If it takes 2 mobile games, 3 pee breaks, and 5 Instagram posts to finish 2 paragraphs of writing, please stop writing now.
Your mind is in a state of fatigue. You have arrived at the proverbial Wall of Fatigue, short of crashing into it.
Save the writing and do something else. Do not come back to writing until the next day. Taking a break for a day beats retiring from writing forever.
Tip #3 — Do What Your Mind Isn’t Complaining About.
When we are sick and tired of doing that thing (say writing) — It means our minds are focusing on that thing only.
It is expending all its effort to fight against what we want to do because it does not want to engage any further.
It is better to do any other activities that the mind is not focusing on at this point. You will realize that our minds become quiet.
It does not know what to say because we are not doing that thing it does not want to do. You will experience unprecedented mental quietness.
My Simple Summary.
A complete burnout can be avoidable. We need to dial back before we crash into the Wall of Fatigue.
How do we know that we are on our way towards the Wall of Fatigue?
- We are obsessed with what we do, day after day.
- It becomes increasingly difficult to focus on what we are initially obsessed with.
- The noise in our heads gets louder.
These are 3 tell-tale signs that we are approaching the Wall of Fatigue.
When we learn to become more self-aware of these signs, we can experience longevity in the activities and tasks we love to engage in.
This is when personal growth gets accelerated.
And it starts with us. It starts with the recognition of a potential issue and practising preventive measures to prevent stepping on landmines down the road.
We Have To Take Care Of Ourselves,
Aldric
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About the Author:
As a content contributor, I write my observations from daily life and my business exposure.
Because our life experience is the bedrock of our unique perspectives.
As a Consultant by training, I believe in making the complex simple.
Because simplicity adds value.
And with clarity — We grow.
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