Executive overwhelm and burnout can seem to be unavoidable consequences of the work when there are so many demands on your time, money, and energy, to name just the top three. You can alter your self-talk and how you respond to pressures, but it isn't much you can do to modify these external circumstances. Here are some tactics you can start using right away to overcome Executive Burnout Symptoms in their tracks and prevent it in the future.
1. Develop Resistance
One of the biggest variables affecting a leader's capacity for leadership is their internal dialogue. What do you do when things don't go according to plan? Does the conversation you have in your head differ from what you say to your team? Investigate other options if you find yourself engaging in negative self-talk or obsessing about a bad experience. How could you change the course of those thoughts (or how they are colored)? Decide what can be learned and how you and your team can get better rather than feeling trapped in the never-ending cycle of what went wrong.
2. Increase Team Confidence
Do you have a staff you can rely on to keep things on track if you have to take an unplanned absence? Do you think they have a distinct understanding of the brand's objectives and those of the team? If not, the majority of the company's load is likely being carried by you. Put the proper people in place, make a commitment to their growth, and be clear about your requirements and expectations.
3. Enhance The Work-Life Balance
Numerous executives lament their futile attempts to juggle everything in their personal and professional life. The ideal work-life balance varies widely from person to person, but there is one universal truth: You must clearly define your values and priorities before you can construct a balanced work-life. You must decide what is most important to you. You will be able to distribute your limited resources more effectively after you have your priorities in order. This will subsequently assist you and your team in establishing and maintaining a better work-life balance.
4. Single-Task
A few decades ago, multitasking rose to popularity in our culture, and people took pleasure in their capacity to balance multiple jobs with tight deadlines. Today, experts from a variety of fields repeatedly discover that multitasking is significantly more detrimental than beneficial. For instance, multitasking rewires the brain, according to MRI imaging. People who multitask find it more difficult to focus and regulate their working memories.
Instead, having a laser-like focus gives you an advantage in both life and leadership. That focus is diluted when you are being tugged (or pulling yourself) in numerous directions. You can allow yourself to immerse yourself if you retrain your brain to concentrate on one thing at a time. Leaders who use serial tasking benefit from increased productivity and strengthened interpersonal ties.
5. Monitor And Control Your Stress
Our bodies' physiological response to perceived threats is stress. Leaders are frequently faced with work-related stress, which can range in severity from little "threats" like being late for a meeting to more serious ones like impending budget cuts. It cannot be avoided. As a result, by keeping an eye on your reactions, you can instead learn how to manage stress. Your system can be reset by just closing your eyes for one minute and concentrating on your breathing. Additionally, stop talking negatively to yourself and concentrate on what you can achieve.
6. Maintain Sound Emotional Boundaries
Both lower management and employees frequently blame executives for organizational issues. By taking this personally, you'll be on the fast course to feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, leaders who have the propensity to absorb the emotional burden of others' difficulties might easily burn out emotionally. Find your own unique "just right" balance by thinking about your tendencies in these areas. You won't be able to lead with grace and emotional stability until then.
7. Seek Support
Executives and leaders at all levels frequently battle with feelings of overwhelm and burnout. Find help through personal counseling, leadership training, executive coaching, chats with dependable coworkers and by joining a holistic mental health retreat program. Regardless of the source, assistance is essential for preventing burnout and overwhelm.