There is no cure for burnout, nor is there a definitive timeline for recovery. BUT there are a few things you can do to jumpstart your burnout recovery process.
These three goals will not only get you started, but they significantly contribute to your burnout recovery process.
GOAL #1 – Identify your stress signals: Burnout is the result of chronic stress over a long period of time. If you don’t know what is stressing you and why, it will be next to impossible to fully recover from burnout.
Most of us don’t know or pay attention to our stress signals. Stress is sneaky because our minds and bodies adapt to it so readily. And, we naturally create coping mechanisms that help to hide the true severity of our stress levels.
If you start by identifying your stress signals, you can use them to start tracing the root of your stress. Stress signals could include:
- Clenched jaw or fists
- Increased heart rate
- Headaches, stomach, or body aches
- Frequent illnesses (you catch a lot of colds)
- Procrastination
Once you identify your stress signals, notice what you are doing or what is happening around you when these signals occur. It helps to start documenting with simple notes in your calendar or journal so you can look back to see if there is a pattern.
GOAL #2 – Find your why: I have found that people who recover from burnout have a strong internal motivator to do so. There is something they want more than they want to stay burned out.
Why do you want to recover from burnout? What will that allow you to do? Simply saying “I’m tired or being tired” isn’t a clear enough answer to work with. Think about in terms of:
- If I recover from burnout, that means I have successfully learned how to manage my stress.
- Burnout recovery will get me in touch with the person I am meant to be.
- Burnout has held me back from my career goals because I am too focused on what is wrong with me instead of putting a spotlight on what is right.
Be as specific as possible. This clarity that will help you make better decisions about what you need to do in order to recover. It will help you be honest with yourself about what is really bothering you and what you really want.
GOAL #3 – Find an accountability partner: Part of what helped many of us burnout was the lack of a support system. You and I need to feel supported when we are going through a self-discovery process and making significant life changes.
Finding a reliable accountability partner will start providing you support and building your confidence to move forward and make changes.
Ultimately, this will turn into a support system with more than one person.
When you are ready to recover from burnout, check out my online burnout recovery course called The Burnout Recovery Method.
