Balance is another term that we often mistake for meaning “equal”. Work/life balance is not about spending the same amount of time and energy on work and “life”. It’s finding an equilibrium, a still point that allows for a sense of stability, even though things are still in flux around us. Likewise, equilibrium does not mean “equal” - where the equilibrium point is could be 80% of A and 20% of B or any other combination. It simply means that there is a stable quantity of each.
Imagine being able to ride the waves of drama and frustration in the office with a sense of calm, like a rock that stands tall among the waters. That urgent project is a source of focus instead of stress. You feel compassion towards the coworker that used to annoy you, and you don’t take anything personally. Does this sound like an impossible dream? It can happen for you with a daily meditation practice, truly!
One of the first signs that I was burning out in my teaching career was when grading a stack of lab reports went from taking 2-3 DAYS to 2-3 WEEKS. Even the easiest tasks seemed to take extreme amounts of energy and effort. In order to get your mojo back at this stage, we need to put what we learned through defining our Beliefs and Loves into Action.
It’s hard to answer questions about vision and passion when you’re having to scrape yourself off the couch to do the most basic tasks. The irony is that one of the most effective ways to move out of burnout is to have a future-focused motivation that aligns with your passions. Identifying the activities that fill your energy tank is the best way to gain momentum that will get you out of the fatigue zone.
I’ve been seeing a recurring pattern in my conversations and coaching lately. I hear a lot of stories about feeling stuck because of competing desires. At first glance, it seems like FOMO (fear of missing out): “If I go for option A, that means letting go of option B. What if I don’t end up liking option A?”
I know that I am most in danger of burnout symptoms during this stretch. When I’m stuck inside an office with no windows and hurry from home to car to office and back due to the blustery winds, I feel drained and perpetually annoyed. If you struggle with this time of year, I hope these tips will help you make it to spring with greater ease and joy!
3 Components for Successful Resolutions
Shifting your mindset from a specific outcome to focus on the journey and progress is crucial. Here are three key components to shift your resolution into something that sticks.
Start with a clear WHY
Create a flexible path to success
Celebrate your wins, no matter how small
