5 Ways to Step Back From Burnout & Reclaim Purpose

Are you trudging through each day, lacking passion and joy? Feeling exhausted, overwhelmed and uninspired by your work, even if "on paper," you feel like it should make you feel alive?

You're not alone.

This was the experience of Danielle, a physician and today’s advice seeker, on the SPARKED podcast. She longed to practice in a way that let her genuinely nurture and care for people. But a paradigm that was leading to burnout and compassion fatigue had dragged her down into a tough place with, seemingly, no way out - until she took the first step toward reconnecting with herself.

What do you do when a job you're "supposed" to love burns you out, regardless of your profession?

To help me tease out strategies, ideas, and insights for Danielle is SPARKED Braintrust advisor Yvonne Ator MD MPH . Yvonne is the Founder of Thriving Physicians and Thriving Idealist, where she coaches heart-centered, mission-driven Physicians and other helping professionals who seek to make a positive impact in the world.?

Together we discuss, what would it look like to "press pause" and come back home to yourself and to reflect on your deeper values and life purpose.

You might be surprised by how much wisdom and clarity emerge once you make space for self-reflection. Ideas and possibilities you couldn't see while burnt out may begin to surface.

So take a deep breath.

Let's hit the "reset" button for a moment. Come back to these questions:

1. What truly energizes and fulfills me?
2. What do I want my work - and my life - to stand for?
3. How can I nurture myself back to wholeness, well-being and joy?

These simple yet powerful questions can guide your first steps away from burnout and back toward work that genuinely nourishes your soul.

Ready to begin?

Let's dive into 5 keys to reclaiming your life from burnout

1. Take a step back and reconnect with yourself. Make nurturing yourself your top priority. Set firm boundaries around your time and energy to protect yourself from burnout. Do whatever it takes to refill your drained energy, even if that means going part-time, asking for help, or declining tasks that deplete you. Taking this space will allow you to revisit your deeper values and life purpose.
2. Once you have made space for self-reflection, reconnect with your sense of purpose and goals. Revisiting the work that initially drew you in before burnout set in can help reignite your passion. Reflect on what brings you the most meaning and joy in your work.
3. Give yourself the nurturing and guidance that you naturally want to provide to others. Practicing loving self-nurture is the first step toward authentically nurturing others. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so prioritize filling your own cup first.
4. With space for self-discovery and reflection, new possibilities you couldn't see when burnt out will emerge. Wisdom and perspective you've lost will return. Having a better understanding of yourself and your values will provide clarity to guide your next steps.
5. Once you are reconnected with your values and purpose, determine if you need to reshape your current path or find an entirely new one that genuinely nourishes your soul. Reflect deeply: What energizes and fulfills me, work-wise? What do I want my work and career to ultimately stand for?

For deeper wisdom on how you too can walk the road back to your true self and to work that nourishes your soul, listen to my full SPARKED conversation with Yvonne Ator MD MPH below or on your favorite podcast app. I guarantee you'll walk away feeling more inspired on how to nurture yourself back to life!

#sustainability #healthawareness #motivation

Dive into the resources we've curated below and get started on the road to a more productive and inspired you this week:

28 questions to ask your boss during your one-on-ones. Looking to make the most out of your one-on-one meetings with your boss? Discover a comprehensive list of 28 insightful questions in this article that can help you gain effective feedback, align expectations, build stronger relationships, and drive professional growth.

Why safe and caring workplaces outperform their competitors . If you've ever worked in an environment where managers actively express their appreciation, feedback, compassion, and wisdom, you know just how good it can be. Dive into this article to discover why these four elements are essential to teams and learn how implementing them in the workplace can improve workers’ well-being and efficiency.

10 hottest new apps to stay ahead of the tech curve. With the rapid pace of tech advancements these days, it can be overwhelming to keep up. But this listicle has got you covered — dive in to explore the ten hottest new apps that will help elevate your productivity, boost your creativity, and keep you ahead of the tech curve!

13 free email signature templates for Gmail. Make a lasting impression with every email using a sleek and personalized Gmail signature! This article lists 13 customizable templates to help you create a professional and visually appealing signature, from templates for small business owners to simple ones for the everyday professional.

To learn your Sparketype, check out the free Sparketype? Assessment .

If you'd like to submit your own questions for consideration for a future episode of SPARKED, you can do it here now.

DO NOT MISS AN EPISODE! - Stay up to date on the powerful conversations and insights on the SPARKED Podcast, along with our curated resources and tips.