You Need to Stop Displacing Your Anger
Odds are that at some point in your life you have been the recipient of displaced anger.
Displacement is a psychological defense mechanism in which a person redirects a negative emotion from it's original source to a less threatening recipient.
One of the most commonly displaced emotions, and the one we're going to talk about today, is anger.
In other words, we can't always express our anger and frustration to the person who is causing it, so instead, we take it home with us and let it come out at the people we love most because well...they're there. You can't lash back at your boss without jeopardizing your career-but your spouse? They aren't going anywhere, right?
It is estimated that 7.8% of American adults have poor anger control.
Everyday when you go to work you perform well because you want to be the best you can be in your career path. And inevitably, the bad day's come. Deals fall through, higher ups get mad, and employees let you down-but you keep your composure, because the office is no place for a meltdown.
Then, at the end of the day, you go home and carry that repressed anger with you right through the front door. All it takes is one thing going wrong and suddenly your home is a war zone with you leading the charge. And look, we're human, bad days will happen. But if we allow our anger from work to come home with us, the relationships that matter the most will suffer. It won't happen all at once, but if you make a habit of displacing your anger it will slowly wear away on those who love you most.
So I ask you this, do you want to be the one bringing negativity and fear into your home and family?
Are you willing to let the events of your workday dictate the time you have with those who matter the most?
No.
And I'm going to tell you how to stop it.
There is nothing wrong with being angry or stressed about the things that can come about in life. Emotions are actually important to feel in order to maintain a healthy mental state. But if we allow them to dictate our lives, they become less of a tool for understanding ourselves and more of a hindrance.
Here's what I want you to try
After a bad day at work, on your drive home, find a place that you can pull over and take a pause in. Set a timer on your phone for just five minutes and turn off your notifications. Take that time to feel the anger you felt throughout the day, look it in the eyes, and allow those emotions to come to the surface. There isn't a right or wrong way to feel after a bad day, but it's important to recognize that your family doesn't deserve the ramifications of your bad day.
Lay your head back and breath. Put on a favorite song and remember to be grateful for the home and people waiting for you at the end of each day.
Try coming up with a short mantra to say to yourself before resuming your drive home, it can look something like this....
Today was bad but it doesn't mean my night has to be.
Today I'm angry, but not at them.
I'm going home to the people I love most and want to give them the best of me.
And then go home. Walk in the door having made the choice to spare your family from the stress of your day and regain your strength through quality time spent with them.
As a leader, you set the tone for not just your workplace, but your home. Which one are you giving the most care to?
You can make the choice today to give the best of you to your family.
I hope you do.
Lead Well,
Three Things Your Employees Wish You Wouldn't Do
In recent years the country has seen a decrease in unemployment rates which is absolutely a good thing-but it does pose an interesting challenge for leaders. Now, more than ever, employee retention is important if you want to keep the best people around you.
So what's the best way to do that?
Be the kind of leader they want to work for.
We talk a lot on this blog about leadership and what it is that you can do to lead in the best way possible-but today I want to get a little bit more specific how you can avoid making the same mistakes that other leaders are making.
Here are three things employees report they wish their employers wouldn't do:
Labelling Everything as "Urgent"
Being a leader can be stressful and when you're the one responsible for the outcomes of your team, it can make sense that you would be eager to have things done quickly. There is, however, a balance to be found in the process of keeping things on track towards goals. When we consistently overuse the word "urgent" we're watering down the importance of our words and adding additional stress to our employees who we need to respect the time of. By limiting the sense of urgency in the workplace and instead understanding our goals and timelines the work flow of the office improves as well as morale.
Micromanaging
No one likes feeling as though they aren't trusted, and when you micromanage your employees rather than truly delegating tasks to them, that is the exact message you are sending them. We can't expect the best from the people we work with if we're not willing to give them the space to excel in their work. When you ask your team to do something, you're only hurting yourself and the outcomes of your employees. You waste both your time and your energy when you micromanage and all you're doing is stunting innovation.
Not Setting Clear Goals
A team is led best when they know what they are working and striving towards. That's why for many employees it can be frustrating to feel directionless at the hands of their employers. If you are consistently wavering on what matters most and inconsistent in your desires for the team you are causing not only tension but misdirection. Confusion and then frustration are bound to follow behind a lack of clear goals and objectives. No matter the team you lead, it's important that everyone knows and understands what it is that they are doing all of their work for. A team that knows it's purpose is easier to motivate and inspire. As leaders it is our duty to get everyone on the same page about what matters most to the company so that everyone can be secure in their mission.
Leadership is no easy task, but when you become a leader who can be not only respected, but appreciated, no task or goal will be too big to handle. So I challenge you, listen to the needs of those around you in the workplace, and lead in a way that you yourself would want to be led.
Having a title is easy, leadership however, is so much more than that.
Lead Well,
Are You Actively Listening?
Have you ever had a conversation with someone and realized by the end of it that words had been spoken, yet nothing was really said or understood?
There are few things more frustrating than having a conversation with someone only to realize that they weren't actually listening to a word you said. And before you go and think of all the people you know who are "bad listeners" I want you to stop and think if you yourself are truly above reproach in this area of life.
Life is busy, there are often times a million different thoughts going through each of our minds that can make it hard to focus in the present moment. While this is understandable, do you ever wonder how much you've missed out on because you have been unable to be present?
Oftentimes the first casualty felt in the midst of preoccupation and stress is the connections we make (or in this case, don't make) with others. So how can we improve our chances at truly understanding one another in the midst of the chaos of day to day life?
We can learn to be active listeners.
Active listening is defined as "The practice of preparing to listen, observing what verbal and non-verbal messages are being sent, and then providing appropriate feedback for the sake of showing attentiveness to the message being presented." In short, active listening is a way of listening that makes it clear to the one you are communicating with that you are engaged with them in the conversation. Through listening actively you are improving the mutual understanding that will come from the conversation being had. It means being present in the midst of the conversation and listening not only to respond, but to understand thoroughly.
The goal is to improve the understanding on both sides by listening with intentionality.
The Benefits of Active Listening
Improved Relationships: The people around you know when you're really listening. You do too. Everyone can relate to the frustration that comes with feeling as though you aren't being understood or heard. When you begin to practice listening actively the people around you will take note, even if only subconsciously. When those you care about or work with can tell that you care about what they say their confidence in you as well as a mutual respect is improved. Your kids will want to talk to you more, your employees will feel comfortable and confident coming to you, and your other relationships will benefit as well.
Lowered Stress Levels: Misunderstandings are often times the ground zero for most disagreements. In that same vein, countless mistakes have been made throughout history as a result of misunderstanding as well. That being said, when you make active listening an intention moving forward, you are less likely to feel the stress that comes as a result of misunderstandings. You can fall asleep easier knowing that what was said in the midst of a conversation was received on both ends in the way it was intended to be.
A good leader knows that listening to the people around you is crucial, the best leaders understand that nodding your head while thinking of a million other things as someone talks isn't enough, and make it a point to actively listen.
What Does Active Listening Look Like?
In the midst of a conversation, if you want to begin making active listening a practice and habit, one of the first steps froward can be learning to ask questions. Asking questions not only acts as a method to move the conversation forward, but allows you to get the most out of the time you have with the person you are speaking with. You can ask questions to clarify what they've said, to learn more, or to make it clear that you are in fact engaged in the conversation being had. Just be careful to not ask too many questions to avoid interrupting them.
Another thing you can do is practice reflecting on what has been said before responding with your thoughts. This can inadvertently make it clear to the person you are speaking with that you are absorbing what they've said so that you can give them your real thoughts. Don't be afraid of those moments of silence as they can often be powerful in helping you to formulate your response thoughtfully.
It's important first and foremost to ensure that your undivided attention is on the conversation at hand. This can look like putting your phone away or at least face down, turning your physical self to face the other person, and making eye contact.
Life can pass by quickly if you're merely coasting on top of each moment, active listening can help you to slow down, join the present, and get the most out of the time you have with others.
If you want to be a better leader, parent, and friend, active listening is a great place to start or improve upon. You might just learn something new, who knows.
Lead Well,
Meet the Success Symbols
There is something powerful about working to understand yourself on a deeper level. With self discovery comes the ability to not only achieve, but do so with confidence. When we know ourselves we are able to make decisions that are more informed and lead in a way that denotes wisdom.
It's one of the reasons I was so passionate about creating The Quiggle Assessment.
I wanted to give people a way to understand who they are when it comes to leadership and teamwork and then give them tangible tools they can use to stand out and step up in whichever field they find themselves in.
When you take The Quiggle Assessment the first step is the assessment itself that assigns you your Success Symbol.
What is a Success Symbol?
Your Success Symbol is determined by the kind of leadership style your personality lends itself best towards. This is because your individuality is your strength, and your Success Symbol helps you to find your place in a team through understanding the areas you thrive in.
There are six Success Symbols, here they are:
The Creator
The Creator is oftentimes the most expressive in a group, their bold personalities making them assets. People are drawn to their fresh outlook, and their ability to create something that was once thought to be unimaginable. They are originals in every sense of the word. They like to dream of different and innovative ways to do things and frequently reject the status quo. Their emotional nature makes them a multifaceted force on any team.
The Explorer
The Explorer's contagious excitement for life unsurprisingly draws positive attention to themselves with their outgoing and vibrant energy. They thrive under pressure through their out-of-the-box solutions. Willing to take risks, their bravery and determination serve them well in life. The Explorer is fast paced, yet flexible and they want other people to experience the rush of achieving new heights. They are often times strong propelling forces towards the goal.
The Guardian
Approachable and reassuring, the Guardian makes those around them feel safe in their presence. They are loyal and dependable, making their work ethic and attitude sought after. They are well-liked and respected because you remain an authentic and honest version of yourself. Humble and ever so graceful in conversation, they never fail to be a friendly face in a room full of strangers.
The Analyst
People are drawn to the ability that the Analyst has to make sense of the world around them with their attention to detail and their ability to always find the missing answers. A meticulous member of society, they make it their responsibility to deliver practical help to teams. Their analytical thought process yields a composed knowledgeable personality. Likewise, their actions are precise and deliberate.
The Director
The Director is a strong and dynamic force in the world. Their ambition and confidence work hand-in-hand to open countless doors of opportunities for you. Directors remain receptive to the world around them, allowing them to motivate compelling results from their surroundings. Regardless of the situation, they are always prepared to be diplomatic leaders and team members.
The Royal
Steady, striking, and tasteful, the Royal draws people to them like magnets with their sophistication and elegance. They remain clear-headed in the face of conflict, offering insightful guidance to the situation. Candid yet dignified, their classic presence does not go unnoticed when they enter a room. A natural leader, their regal, steady hand yields monumental results, making them reputable and trusted in any field.
No one symbol is better than any other, just like all of us. It's the individuality of all of us that makes creating incredible things possible. Teams thrive when there is variety in its team members, each symbol can excel even more when they understand their strengths and are confident in them.
If you want to find out which Success Symbol you are, you can take The Quiggle Assessment today!
Lead Well,
What Makes The Quiggle Assessment Different
When you google "personality assessments" you are met with thousands of options for ways to learn more about yourself. A simple scroll through your facebook feed will yield what feels like an endless supply of online quizzes that can tell you which television character you are or guess your favorite movie based off of your coffee order. In the professional realm, companies use personality assessments throughout the interview process to help them understand you better. It seems that a large portion of our culture is hooked on these-so why is that?
Simine Vazire, a personality psychologist, says that much of the allure for these assessments lies in the fact that "We hope that they will reveal previously unknown information about ourselves." Another expert, Hillary Elfenbein, who is a professor of organizational behavior at The University of Washington added another perspective saying, “Like holding the mirror up to yourself and trying to see yourself the way the world sees you.”
Put simply, we like personality assessments because often times we feel that they hold secrets about ourselves that we don't already know in their results. Studies however, show that the average person actually has a fairly strong grasp on who they are. This ability to be self aware oftentimes is a product of emotional intelligence but for those who take personality assessments, what they learn after the fact usually doesn't come as a surprise.
Alright, so why am I, someone who created a personality assessment myself, telling you this?
Because The Quiggle Assessment is different.
My goal is not to teach you something you don't already know about yourself, but rather to highlight the unique attributes you hold that you may not be utilizing that could propel you into your purpose. My goal is to equip you with the confidence in your skills and show you how to effectively communicate who you are and what sets you apart to the world around you.
Because my mission is to create effective leaders who can enter any situation and know what it is they can do to bring about success.
When you take The Quiggle Assessment, the results are just the beginning.
Once you take the quiz, you are given your Success Symbol and from there, the real takeaways unfold. Your Success Symbol is the type of leader and team member you are. You're not only taught about your Success Symbol, but about how you interact with others, your strengths AND your weaknesses, and shown the science behind all of it.
That is where other personality assessments stop.
You find out "what" you are and then it's over.
My favorite part of all of it comes after you've had the time to dive into the type of leader you are. Because one thing I wanted to do was make sure that this assessment left you with something real and tangible you can use in your professional and even personal life.
Through The Quiggle Assessment you are taken through the process of creating your own Power Pitch and Success Story. The Power Pitch generator comes first, based on your Success Symbol, you are given a list of adjectives and verbs that will go into creating a one to two sentence introduction of yourself. This is a short attention grabbing statement you can use when you want to ensure that you aren't lost in a crowd.
Your Success Story is next. Using the same system of choosing descriptors and verbs you are given the base of your Success Story. From there, it is up to you to personalize it to make it yours. Success Stories have been used in interviews, cover letters, and cold emails and do a thorough job of not only showcasing who you are, but making it known what you are capable of.
The Quiggle Assessment is more than a quiz with results, it's a journey of branding yourself in a way that is marketable in a world that's attention span is rapidly dwindling. I'm proud to be continually in awe of the stories I've heard from people who have had doors open for them they never imagined when they started telling their Success Stories and using their Power Pitches. It's one of the best parts of my job.
If you or someone you know is feeling lost in the crowd, this can be a revelation.
So then, will you take it?
If you would like a discount of 15% send us an email at info@quigglegroup.com and tell us why you want to take this next step. We can go from there.
Lead Well,
What Are You Creating?
When most people hear the word "create", they often times associate the verb with professions like artist, musician, designer, or writer. The term "creative" has become a buzz word and many assume that if they don't fall under that category they are not creators.
This misunderstanding of creativity causes countless professionals to miss out on the opportunity all humans have to create in their everyday lives.
What does it mean to create though?
Create (verb): To bring something into existence.
The key word there? Something. There is no specification as to what that something has to be-because in truth, to live is to create.
As leaders, regardless of the industry we find ourselves in, we are creating something everyday. That's why our actions matter. It's why the way we treat people and the way we communicate is critical, because how you do those things will influence what you are actively creating.
You are the one waking up each morning with the capabilities to make the day ahead of you something significant. As the leader of any team, you create the environment your team works in through the way you act and carry yourself. You create the culture of the work place in the same way.
Everyday that you return home from work you are creating the environment that your family will grow in. You become the creator when you decide that you want to play an active roll in the life you are living.
There are things in life that are entirely out of our control-there always will be. There are things that are created for you, but when you decide to take hold of the opportunity you have to create the world around you, you get to take some of that power back.
Everyday you are writing the story of your legacy. Your actions pile up to how you will be remembered.
So I ask you...are you actively creating the life you dream of, or are you sitting yourself out of the creation process? This week we are releasing a podcast episode with guest Cassandra Bodzak. Cassandra is a lifestyle and spirituality guru who helps people step into the roll of "Co-Creators of life." If you want to hear more about the concept of everyone being a creator, keep an eye out for the episode going live Wednesday May 26.
Keep an eye out for the podcast, and Lead well.
What is Emotional Intelligence?
In recent years the term "Emotional Intelligence" has begun steadily finding it's way into mainstream conversations. Employers look for it, relationships need it, and your life is better when you make it a priority.
But what is Emotional Intelligence exactly?
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand, use, and manage your own emotions in positive ways to relieve stress, communicate effectively, empathize with others, overcome challenges and defuse conflict.
Emotional intelligence is a pillar of impactful leadership. Those who choose to understand their own emotions as well as others are better equipped to lead a team through tough times without wavering in their confidence and mission. Since they have a firm grasp on what they feel and the kinds of things that affect their team they know how to communicate through crisis effectively.
Have you ever had a boss blow up on you after a mistake or been yelled at in the midst of crisis?
Did it help the situation or make it worse? I'll take a wild guess and say that no, it probably made things worse.
As leaders, if we can't control our own emotions they will quickly begin to control us. Let me be clear, this doesn't mean to suppress how you feel, but rather to hold those emotions under a microscope and use them as a lesson. A team led by fear will never produce what a team led by joy will.
And the truth is that you don't know what's going on in the lives of others that could be effecting their job performance. Emotional intelligence allows us to see the bigger picture rather than focus on what we are seeing at face value. It keeps us away from the "results" mindset that often leads to employee burnout.
What does emotional intelligence look like?
Daniel Goleman is the American Psychologist that helped to bring emotional intelligence into the mainstream. According to him, there are five key components to emotional intelligence:
- Self Awareness
- Self-Regulation
- Motivation
- Empathy
- Social Skills
I find it interesting that all five of these skills are centered around the idea of simply being present and aware of the people and circumstances that surround each interaction you have.
Self awareness is the ability to understand the way you are coming across to those around you. It's having an understanding of the way you feel and why you feel a certain way to begin with. It's how well you truly know yourself.
Self regulation is in reference to ones own emotion based reactions. To self regulate is to bring yourself back down from an intensely negative reaction. It's the way that you as an individual have found to manage heightened emotions in the moment. Those who self regulate are less likely to have blow ups on those around them.
Motivation is there to remind you to consistently check in with yourself and your team to ensure that the same goals are still at the center of the mission. Outside of the office, knowing who you are and who you want to be keeps you calibrated in your purpose.
Empathy is the ability you have to understand someone else's feelings. It's one of the most beautiful things about being human, sharing the experience with others. An empathetic leader is able to not just help a team grow-but thrive. Respect and loyalty must be earned, and empathy is a great place to start.
Social skills can mean a wide variety of things but typically boils down to whether or not you know how to interact in a group setting in an appropriate manner. This is an area that may not come as easily to everyone but can always be improved upon with support from others.
Some people are naturally emotionally intelligent while others may have to work a bit harder to break through the barriers that keep them from it. The important thing is that you do work on it. It's a skill that can be learned and developed over time in the vast majority of individuals.
It's a skill you have to work on if you truly want to be a powerful leader to the people around you.
Many scientists even believe that in many cases your Emotional Intelligence level is as important as your IQ when it comes to lifelong success. Everyone has their own set of strengths and weaknesses, but if you want to be a leader that others look up to, emotional intelligence is a must.
I hope you'll take this as an opportunity to take an honest look at yourself.
Lead Well,
The Importance of Hobbies
What happens when the days wind down and you're off the clock? How do you spend the time that is entirely yours to spend? Who do you surround yourself with that doesn't work in your same office or industry?
At the end of the day, who are you when the work is done and the time is all yours?
Success, especially career success, can be addicting. Once you have a taste of that higher rung on the ladder suddenly tunnel vision kicks in and it starts to consume all of your thoughts. It's not a bad thing to crave success, but when your success comes at the cost of your entire identity, we lose a lot in the process.
We know that a better job means a better paycheck and a better paycheck means better stuff, better homes, better vacations. But what happens after you have that dream job? What do you do when you're finally in that dream home at the end of a long work week?
Do you know who you are?
Or have you lost yourself in the hustle?
How do we avoid losing ourselves while still pursuing our goals?
We've talked about balance on the blog before as well as the importance of human connection, but we haven't really touched on something that may seem superficial but is really very important-hobbies.
A hobby is defined as "An activity done regularly in ones leisure time for pleasure."
A hobby is all yours to partake in. You don't engage in a hobby because of a promise of success, but because you choose to engage with your imagination and play, yes play, in your life. When we engage in activities purely for the sake of enjoyment we are enriching our lives in ways that our careers will leave us lacking.
We tell ourselves that the work we do is for our families and use it to justify our tunnel vision for success-but what if I told you that your family also needs you to be holistically fulfilled? The happier you are in day to day life and the more you focus on growing, the better example you set for your children and those who you work with.
Anyone who ever had an absent parent who worked all the time and kept a roof over their heads will tell you that it's a special kind of pain to see someone work themselves so hard that they loose who they are.
That doesn't have to be you.
Ask yourself what it is that you used to love to do and how long it's been since you did it. Ask yourself what you would do if you and more time in your day and then make the time to do just that. Because the truth is, one day your kids will be off on their own, one day you'll retire from your job, and what will you have left? You start deciding today who you are outside of your work. You are continually creating yourself, are you creating something you truly enjoy?
At the end of the day, you can't just be a robot constantly cranking out results and topping yourself-you have to live a life that you can love long term. You get to be the one to decide what that looks like too, find something that ignites your heart and integrate it into your day to day life.
Maybe it's writing, running, basketball, carpentry, or painting. Whatever it is, the only rule is that you have to enjoy it. Find what you love and discover something new about yourself...then go from there. The important thing is learning to enjoy yourself apart from your work. Be fulfilled in things other than numbers and figures. Let yourself enjoy your life.
As a leader you will be enriched when you invest in your personal interests and allow others to do the same. Your career is not your identity. Don't let the intoxication of the hustle take you away from who you are.
Lead Well,
Are You Really Connecting With People?
Everyday we are living on this earth there are countless chances for connection with the people around us that are ours for the taking-but only if we make it an intention to do so. I've talked before on the blog about talking to strangers and the positive benefits it can have on your life, but I wanted to take time to dive deeper into the idea of connecting with people.
And let me be clear, I'm not talking about networking. Not that there is anything wrong with it, just that the kind of connection I want to discuss is deeper and more human than that. If the only reason you have for talking to someone is what the conversation can do for you or your career, you are entirely missing the point. Connecting with others isn't about what they can do for you, it's about being seen and known for who you truly are and taking the time to learn and experience the same from someone else.
Connections are formed when we allow ourselves to be seen and known for who we are, not just what we do and how we do it.
It's one thing to talk to someone, connection is something else entirely. Connection means there is something deeper you found or let be found in the midst of a conversation. It's what happens when we decide to make it a priority.
Ok, so why am I talking about this in the first place?
Because connection matters, and we often times downplay the significance of truly knowing and being known by others. And it makes sense, connection can be daunting, especially if you've been hurt or turned down in the past. The beautiful thing about connection though is that we as humans are made for it, and when we make it an intention to know the people in our lives we are strengthened in other areas of our lives.
So what does it mean to connect with someone?
It's one thing to have a conversation with someone, but at the end of it do you really know anything new about the people you're talking to? Connections are made when we find common ground between us and another person. It's created when we are honest about who we are and allow others to do the same. There is enough small talk in the world to bore us all to sleep, but when you see a conversation as an opportunity rather than a necessary burden you are priming yourself to get the most out of whatever it may be.
If you want to connect with people on a level that matters, talk to them about the things that matter to you. Focus less on the "what" and more on the "why" and even if their "why" is different from yours, the honesty you set the stage with has allowed you to truly know someone better.
I think a lot about the people I have worked with over the years, so much of the experience you have with a job is centered around the people, and as a leader I'm proud to be surrounded by some pretty incredible ones. Being the leader myself gives me the ability to set the precedent for connection. When I am open and honest with my employees or partners, it lets them know that they are welcome to bring their thoughts and feelings to the table as well. And in doing so, I have reinforced to them that they matter to me beyond the tasks they do on a daily basis.
As leaders, we have the opportunity to create not just spectacular outcomes with our work, but meaningful relationships with those we work alongside as well. I talk about what it means to be an authentic leader a lot in my speeches and writing, but in practice it can really be as simple as learning to listen as well as you speak. Engaging with the world around you isn't about checking the boxes of what makes up a conversation, it's about having the appreciation for those around you that leads you to wanting to know them more.
I always say that one of the best parts of my job is the people it brings me along the way to connect with. What good is a goal achieved if you get there and don't have anyone beside you to celebrate with?! Why would you want to glide through life without the excitement that comes with knowing and learning from others?!
I encourage you to take a good look at the interactions you have and ask yourself if you are just talking, or truly connecting. You already know the answer, but regardless of what it is, today can be the day you change it. Today can be the day you decide to start being known by others for who you are not just what you do, and tomorrow can be the day you invite others to do the same.
I hope you will.
Lead Well,
How Are You Preventing Burnout?
There is a prevailing mindset in culture today that tells us that if we want our dream life, we have to be willing to work tirelessly to make it happen. There is truth to this sentiment, hard work does yield results, but the problem becomes when we romanticize the idea of working so hard that we neglect other areas of our lives.
There is nothing wrong with working hard to get the things you want out of life. There is, however, an aspect to this mindset that is not maintainable in the long run.
This is because when we abandon balance in the pursuit of greatness we are setting ourselves up for burnout in the future. No one is immune to it, and few will go their whole lives unscathed by its presence.
That's why it's crucial as a dreamer and leader to prioritize time spent recharging in the midst of pursuing your dreams.
The World Health Organization classifies burnout as a "syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." Symptoms of burnout can affect your physical, emotional, and behavioral health.
Physically, it can lead to a lack of energy, lowered immunity, frequent headaches or muscle aches, and changes in appetite and sleep. Emotionally it looks like increased feelings of self doubt, helplessness, detachment, negative outlooks, and decreased satisfaction. Behaviorally it causes you to isolate, withdraw from your responsibilities, increased use of drugs or alcohol, and taking out your frustration on others.
We tend to think that hard work requires all of our attention, but hard work will only take you as far as your body, mind, and spirit will allow. If you aren't taking the time to recharge and care for yourself you are going to experience burnout sooner or later.
So I ask you, are you taking the time to recharge?
Are you prioritizing your mental and physical health in the same way you prioritize your career?
If you aren't, I would challenge you to consider what long term success should look and feel like. When you invest in your mental and physical health you are building the foundation for a sustainable future of success.
The way you recharge is different for everyone, the important thing is to figure out what you need to do in order to feel balanced in your day to day.
You can work to prevent burnout by keeping tabs on your emotional and physical well being. Sometimes we wait to help ourselves until it feels like we've gotten "bad enough", but wouldn't it be better to notice your digging yourself into a hole when it's still shallow?
Preventing burnout can look like attending to your physical and emotional needs by listening to your body and understanding it's queues. Taking care of your physical self by eating well, making movement a part of your life, and sleeping regularly makes a difference. Your emotional self can be taken care of with therapy, meditation, time spent with loved ones, and understanding your passions and dreams.
You don't have to wait until you feel burnt out to start working to prevent it. Live in a way now that sets you up for not just success, but joy. You don't have to work yourself to death to get to your dreams, you can live a life you love while pursuing the dreams you have.
Take care of yourself and lead well,