10 Ways to Avoid Burnout as a Leader

I’ve been thinking a lot about something that happens to far too many leaders…and it usually catches them by surprise. It’s burnout. Most of us only react to it once we’re already there, when what we really need is to take steps to avoid it in the first place.

Burnout can lead to health problems, mistakes in your business or organization, and a host of other things that can wreck your life and career. I believe we CAN avoid burnout…but it takes intentionality. We have to be proactive. (If you’re already running on fumes, start with my post Leading on Empty: Why Good Leaders Burn Out.)

Here are 10 ways I’ve found to avoid burnout as a leader:

10 Ways to Avoid Burnout

1. Know when to say “no.”

As a leader, a lot of things come your way. Most of them are really good things, and it’s hard to say “no.” If you’re a “high capacity” leader, it’s even harder. But, saying “yes” to too many things is one of the fastest roads to burnout. Narrow your focus and you’ll lead healthier.

2. Take time for you.

It can feel selfish. We’ve got a big job to do, a family to take care of and plenty of other obligations on our plates. But it’s completely necessary. Time for yourself looks different for everyone. For me, it’s been alone time on Friday mornings with my computer, writing. Find what it means for you and do it!

3. Don’t own things you can’t control.

Some things in life are completely outside our control. There’s nothing we could have done and nothing we can do to change the outcome. We need to be ok with that. In other words, don’t take the blame, don’t beat yourself up, and don’t radically change your organization because of something you couldn’t control.

4. Give yourself grace.

This is a big one for me. I can be really hard on myself when I make mistakes or miss the expectations I set for myself. That inner dialogue is damaging. When I miss the mark, it’s ok. It’s not the end of the world. I’ve found that the hardest person to extend grace to is…me. Can you relate?

5. Spend time with peers.

This is an important distinction. PEERS…not friends, not co-workers, not bosses. These are people who do what you do in some way. They can honestly say they’ve “been there, done that” and help you find a way through. Spend time with them, let them encourage you, and encourage them back.

6. Cling to compliments and let go of criticism.

I tend to do the opposite. I dismiss compliments and cling to criticism. Somehow the compliments don’t seem as important or as true, but the criticisms feel like truth I need to fix immediately. So, I’ve started keeping thank-you notes and encouraging emails. I want to take in the good things people say and let go of the unfair criticism more quickly. Are you with me?

7. Focus on the important more than the urgent.

This is one of my biggest day-to-day struggles. I can easily spend my whole day responding to “urgent” things and neglect the important ones. And, far too often, someone else’s urgent is really the result of their own lack of planning. Protect your time for what matters most. (Step 5 of my 5 Steps to Getting to Your Next Level™, Tackle Your Time, is all about this.)

8. Set realistic expectations for yourself.

One of the hardest things I’ve seen at work and at home is unrealistic expectations. Some are wildly unrealistic. Others are just past the line of what can reasonably get done. Either way, you end up constantly disappointed because of an expectation that was never going to happen in the first place.

9. Reward yourself often.

How hard is this one?! Maybe you’re good at it. I’m not. I can move from a win straight to the next thing without ever stopping to celebrate. Reward yourself when there’s a win. It can be a small treat, or it can simply be taking a moment to notice what you did well.

10. Use all of your vacation time.

This one isn’t a problem for me at all. But, I hear it far too often. I think people skip vacation because they’re afraid something bad will happen while they’re gone. Your health and sanity are far more important than anything that “might” happen while you’re away for a week. It’s part of your compensation…so use it!

Quick Answers

What are the early signs of burnout? Constant exhaustion, dreading work you used to enjoy, feeling cynical or detached, and getting less done even though you’re working more.

Can you recover from burnout? Yes. It usually takes real rest, honest conversations about workload, and new rhythms. A coach, counselor or doctor can help, too.

Well, that’s my list. What would you add? Comment below…