094T – Burnout Recovery, Part 1

Over the last couple of months, I've been trying to figure out how to recover from burnout. I've found some information on the Internet, but it's been pretty vague and not as helpful as what I needed. So as I've made my own path to recovery, I wanted to make sure I share my experiences with you in case it helps you to recover from or avoid burnout in your own life.

One of the things that helped a lot was going on an actual vacation, the kind where you don't work! (Yes, I'm one of those people who took my laptop into the other room and worked on my book or my marketing while everyone else watched a football game on Thanksgiving Day.) Another big help in making me feel better has been spending time with people I love who love me. I've been laughing more in the last couple weeks than I have in a long time, and I know that has changed my perception of my life.

On Monday of this week, I told God I'm trying to have faith that He's going to guide me and help me know what to do with my life - since burnout has made me more than a little confused about that. I told Him it was harder to know what guidance is coming from Him since I can't hear His physical voice. Guess what? In less than 48 hours, three people said something to me about what they like about me, what they think I'm good at, and what they think will make me succeed in business - without being prompted! Ask and you will receive!

Also, last week's episode with Joanna Davidson Politano has been running through my mind as I wonder if I've got branches that are being inflexible. Do I have too many branches that aren't growing sweet grapes and some need to be cut off? Another way to look at the idea of pruning back to just two branches off each vine in the winter is to ask myself, what if there are only one or two more books I can write and publish before my time is over? Is this book the most important one? What is my why for this book, right now?

In the end, it all comes down to - what are my gifts, and am I using them in the best manner, and am I willing to be flexible and change if life leads me in an unexpected direction?

I hope this helps you to consider what's going on in your life, whether you need to ask some questions, make some changes. And I really hope my thoughts on recovering from burnout help you to recover and/or avoid burnout yourself.