Burnout can be debilitating, frightening and terrifying. I was in severe physical pain for months, exhausted, depleted, and struggling to get through the day. But I refused to quit, I refused to give up, and I continued to push and try to prove that I was okay.
Who was it I tried to prove it to?
My struggle was obvious to everyone around me. When you are in such pain that it is impossible to walk, feel strong and cannot focus, the only person you can prove anything to is you.
I reached the point of exhaustion for many reasons:
- I had changed my role and moved to London. A good day’s commute takes 1 hour and 48 minutes.
- The organisation I had moved to was a culture-shock-and-a-half from where I had come from. However, I felt that HRD could make a difference and I am now convinced that I can change it all
- Six months after I started, I had a new boss who was just as helpful as a hot chocolate pot.
- My role was the last in the structure to be filled and the structure and many of the team were not fit for purpose.
- The business tried to do too many things – I was involved in three major projects, plus the ‘day job.
- The business was very demanding.
- HR did not have a voice
- The Exec team was only interested in their own interests
- Two of the outside consultancies stabbed me in the back
- It was my first role in HRD.
- It was a shameful job to work from home. You were constantly made to feel guilty and that if your breath came out you would be accused of not working.
- I was the one responsible for “the culture change project” – which we all know is not a project.
STRESSED & CLOSE TOBURNOUT
I didn’t realize that I was stressed despite all of this. I thought that my six-figure salary was sufficient to cover the ten thousand items I had to manage simultaneously and the amount of responsibility I was taking on. Each day, I attempted to make progress. I took two steps back and one step forward.
Only when I was riding the train, did my brain function properly. It was the only time of day that I could breathe and sit comfortably. I was grateful to have a little more time to think and communicate with my team if the train delayed me on my way home.
I would like to think that the incident I had with my wife was an isolated one and that it was me who wasn’t able to cope well with the role. This is not true. The truth is that three of my predecessors had suffered from health issues in their role. I was not aware of this until after I left. My replacement also died in her sleep during a leadership development conference. Although I don’t believe it’s directly related, it does make you think.
Due to the physical problems that burnout had caused in my body, I had to have two operations within 48 hours. To prevent anyone else in HR from experiencing this, I knew that I had to act.
I took many steps to help myself, and I now use much of that to support leaders and HR. You can create an environment where people feel happy and burnout is eliminated. These are three things you should consider:
TRUST
Trust is a key factor in reducing absences, staff turnover, and stress within organisations. These are the key to success.
Trust is key to preventing burnout. It can be prevented by being trusted to do your job well, to communicate effectively, to make good decisions, and to trust that you will do the right thing. It can look like a fungus growing in the dark and damp, eventually taking over. It’s initially hidden, but it quickly spreads and can be a nightmare to eradicate.
Trust is an essential part of building trust and fostering great communication.
Trust in your organization will make your employees happier and reduce burnout.
TALK
Although it may sound cliché to say that time spent talking can make you happier and help you avoid burnout, the truth is that it really does improve your happiness. However, I am referring to Honest, Open, and Transparent conversations (H.O.T). This is possible because of the role culture plays in facilitating this.
H.O.T conversations are not something we’re taught. We are taught to be kind and to consider others’ feelings. However, life isn’t always that simple.
Our inability to communicate honestly with one another can lead to stress, depression, anger and frustration.
It is unkind not to be truthful, transparent, and open.
We can all communicate. It’s the effort to make it meaningful that creates happiness. This allows people to express their true feelings, and what they need to avoid burnout.
SIMPLIFY
As the old saying goes, keep it simple (stupid). I couldn’t agree with you more. This is something I know from personal experience and it’s something I share with many of my clients. Overcomplicating things is a way to make ourselves look smarter and more successful.
The most intelligent people are those who can keep it simple. Those who can look back at can see what is happening and take action!
“This is not working”, “Stop it now!”
We want to do everything, but we procrastinate, panic, and don’t make much progress. This makes us feel like we are failing. This can lead to a decrease in self-esteem and confidence which then leads to anxiety. Stress and depression can be caused by anxiety. You stop sleeping, and suddenly you feel as if you are in despair.
This works for home too. Clear out the clutter and keep your wardrobe simple Don’t attend meetings that don’t work. Clearly define what priorities are and what isn’t. Keep it simple, genius!