Burnout often creeps in when get depleted and we don’t follow the ABC's for good Mental Health to recharge.
While hiking to the top of Table Mountain recently, one of the worlds seven wonders, I was contemplating the ABCs of burnout prevention.
As I climbed, the experience became a helpful and powerful metaphor to remember the ABC’s and apply them to my life.
So, If like me your about to taking a few days to connect with some friends over the Easter long weekend. Use these ABCs as an encouragement for yourself, or those you meet.
For those conversations or stories where words like ‘tired’ ‘exhausted’ ‘tough season’ or even ‘burnt out’ may pop up.
The ABCs to Beat Burnout = Attack - Breakthrough – Celebrate - Draw breath - Engage.
ATTACK - choosing to climb a hill, to take some ground, requires effort. Effort is not the enemy. It is however the cost. Be sure to count the cost before you commit. If it’s worth the victory – commit fully. This counting the cost solidifies the ‘WHY’ for project or journey. Without the 'Why' behind the 'What' to lend perspective on the momentary hardship, it is easy to lose hope for the summit.
BREAKTHROUGH - that moment when the summit is visible, the end in sight. Often it can be lead to a surge in energy, or a release of built up anxiety and tension.
Many of us live towards this moment, yes unfortunately it would seem many don’t go Past B into C,D or E.
In these moments, using the breakthrough energy to ensure we push to C, D and E, is vital for what C, D & E hold for us. Generates for the next mountain and its A - B you will face later.
CELEBRATE – Stop, take a moment to savour the summit, let the victory bubble up and dance on the mountaintop. Drawing from the joy of achievement is critical for restoring motivation before the next mountaintop. Often, we are far too quick to move on. When we do this, we deny ourselves the 'take stock' of the journey, its hardship, and victory. It results in a loss of experience insights. Experience insights when faced with a new hardship tend to carry us. They remind us not to let our current circumstances dictate our ability to have hope. The wealth of experience gained from previous mountaintop journeys reminds us that the destination is worth it, and that this moment in the journey is only a part of the process. Eyes on the prize.
I find often in the hard moments of Attack it’s stories of victory and overcoming that are a wonderful tonic to the weary heart. We harness and seal these stories for future use when we appropriately savour and celebrate the moment we summit a climb.
DRAW BREATH - a pause to gather oneself for what’s to come next. Often so many of us rest from what’s been done, rather than for what’s to come.
Once a summit is reached, and celebrations completed, a moment of composure or rest is vital. It’s self-check in before a decent, which can be fast and wild.
Often the mistake is made thinking that we are only resting from the climb. Yet more critical is to also rest well for what’s to come next. A decent and possibly the next climb.
We don’t rest from what’s been done, but for what’s to come.
ENGAGE – We choose to embark and step out again. Recharged, with a new clearer purpose and refreshed drive for the next summit.
Counting the cost, Remembering the mountaintops and Celebrating as we go.
So, If your feeling depleted, or are likely to meet a few friends who are as well - ask if you/they have done the ABCDEs.
Then, choose to adjust and go again.
As a bonus - to help laser focus your thoughts, consider the ABCS for each of the 5 main areas of Personal well-being as mountain tops we are always climbing.
Career Wellbeing - feeling engaged and fulfilled in your work.
Social Wellbeing - having positive relationships and social connections.
Physical Wellbeing - taking care of your body through exercise, nutrition, and sleep.
Financial Wellbeing - feeling secure and in control of your finances.
Community Wellbeing - feeling connected to and engaged with your community.
Now that your aware of what’s missing on your climb. Choose to address it.
And If stuck, contact me for a 15 min coffee chat to find that traction and motivation.
I love helping people plot routes, climb mountains and summit challenges.
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