Burnt Out And Going Home: Why I'm stepping away from my business for a while

A while ago I decided to take a 6 week break. I’m not going anywhere special, I’m not off to rediscover myself in a rainforest and I’m not setting up something new that’s going to change the world. I don’t have the energy for any of that. I’m just taking time away. 7 years of doing this and I’ve never really had a break. I’ve had holidays but the phone is always on and there’s always a problem that needs resolving. But not this time. Slack and Gmail notifications have been turned off, and it’s time to recharge.

And look, there’s a difference between why I AM taking time off and why I CAN take time off.

I CAN take time off, for the first time in 7 years, because I have the greatest events team in the world to handover to. OK, I’m bias but I actually believe this. The team is a phenomenal blend of developing leaders, strategic thinkers and a can do attitude that flips the middle finger at mediocrity with one hand whilst nailing a shot with the other. It’s the best team we’ve ever had or I’ve ever worked with. Period.

So why AM I taking time off?

To put it bluntly, I’m burnt the fuck out. Honestly, since RecFest the energy I’ve always had to plough on has drained out of me and I’ve found myself coasting on fumes. And that sucks. That’s not me. I’ve always had a buzz from work and recently that buzz just isn’t there. It’s been a long 7 years with ups and a hell of a lot of down, and I think that’s the issue. The downs have always lit a fire under me and given me the motivation to fight harder, but there’s not really been many downs in a while. That sounds pathetic, right? It’s borderline laughable, but it’s the reality. I’ve never ran a marathon (surprise!) but I feel like the people that cross the line and their legs collapse. Adrenaline alone got them to the finish and after that they have nothing more to keep them upright. That’s me right now.

But the reality is we’ve got HUGE plans for 2019 and yes that’s super excited, but I’m going to need to be way better than I am right now to do my part.

So it’s over to the team, they’ll kill it.

Any suggestions on what to do with my time?