My fear of burning out again

The UK plunged into lockdown just days after Annie, my daughter, turned 4.?

I was Head of Business Consulting at the time. The company I worked for immediately set-up daily checkpoints across the organisation with head office. It became a military operation.

Some colleagues were struggling with isolation and confinement. Clients changed their minds and budgets daily. I was busy mobilising a project for our new flagship client. All whilst supporting the transition to home working for our existing clients and consultants. For me this meant more meetings

LOTS more meetings.?

I was in back-to-backs almost every day. It was relentless.?

My husband Jon and I juggled Annie back and forth while she watched too much Disney - never a happy ending!

It was all too much.

Then came the second lockdown and things got worse. Annie started school remotely and every morning we were issued homework to complete that day.

?

What I didn’t tell anyone else was just how scared I was of burning out.

You see, seven years earlier I’d experienced burnout.?

When I was in burnout life went from technicolour to shades of grey; I no longer felt emotions. I ran on autopilot, keeping up appearances but empty inside. I didn’t know who I was anymore and I doubted whether I'd ever be myself again.

I never want to go back there.

I don’t want anyone else to go there either.

It’s cold, empty and lonely.

The events happening around me in 2020 were creating the perfect storm for me burnout again and I was scared. But I didn't say anything to anyone.

I wanted to be there for my colleagues and team, for my clients, for the company and of course for Annie and Jon.?

I searched for a way to do everything and avoid burnout.?

I knew that I had to look after myself first otherwise burnout would be inevitable. So I doubled down on my commitment to myself.?

I woke up early every morning and rolled out my yoga mat. I created a space to move my body and to simply be.

I intentionally made space for myself before the relentless doing started.?

Every day I filled my cup first so that I could pour energy into everyone around me without draining myself.?

I was able to spend time with Annie and be really present with her (above is a pic of us from that time).

I didn’t have as much time as I wanted but I gave her quality time.?

At work I kept up with the context switching of HR conversations, business performance reviews, sales pipeline discussions, Client delivery checkpoints, and so on…

I was always present with the people I was with.

I was always giving my best.

And I was able to switch-off and spend quality time with Annie and Jon.?

It was bl**dy hard. It was exhausting.?

went to bed early and I got up early and I was so grateful that I’d found a way to prevent burnout while supporting all those people around me.?

The reason I tell you this is because embedding healthy, mindful habits into your life is the most effective way to show up as the person you want to be.?

I’ve taken everything I’ve learned and poured it into my Stress Mastery Programme. The science, the experiences, the techniques, it’s all in there. I want you to learn from my mistakes and my successes.?

I know burnout isn’t necessary.

Mine wasn’t and nor is yours.

In this programme you will learn to navigate stress and much more. Because you can have it all, you can be:

? Creative and productive

? Fully present with others

? Impactful at work

? Healthy and energised

If you’re fed up of:

?? Carrying your work stress into home life

?? Procrastinating when you need to get cracking

?? Thinking about work when you’re with family because you can’t switch off

?? Shouting at your kids when it’s not them, it’s work

?? Looking after everyone else and having zero time for yourself

Then my programme was made for you.

The programme is simple and actionable with 3 core modules:

1. ?? The Awareness Solution where you raise your ability to spot stress coming and prevent it reaching overwhelm or an eruption.?

1. ?? The Seven Rs of Stress Mastery where you learn all the techniques to lower your stress levels, increase your capacity for stress and process stress when it does come; giving you more confidence, energy and control.

1. ?? The 4-step Habit building system ?where you’ll create new habits with ease and make strides towards the life you desire.?

You don’t need to spend hours in meditation - no one has time for that! All you need is the willingness to show up for yourself and I’ll guide you from there.?

If you’re ready to master your stress response so that you can be present, make an impact at work and ensure you’re your best self at home, then join me inside The Stress Mastery Programme:

https://hannahholden.co.uk/stress_mastery

Doors close Friday 3rd May.

Here’s to your best self,

Hannah

P.S. Got questions? Let's chat in the DMs or via a call.

"Everything turned around for me in just 5 weeks with Hannah"

Polly - Principal Consultant

"The support and guidance Hannah offers to everyone who crosses her path is second-to-none."

Sarah W - Lead Technical Consultant

"Each week I felt much more relaxed and my mind was at a greater state of peace"

Michael D?