My Personal Journey in Overcoming Burnout

Have you ever been so deep in your work that you barely notice how hard you’re pushing yourself, until suddenly, your mind and body tell you to stop? That’s where I found myself recently.

Just a week ago, if you had asked me about burnout, I might have dismissed it as something that happens to others. I was productive, energized, and ticking off tasks left and right.

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But then, it hit me out of nowhere.

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I started finding it hard to focus. Tasks that once excited me felt like enormous challenges and simple things triggered irritation. By the time I got home each day, I was utterly exhausted, and my bed felt like the only place I wanted to be.

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That’s when I realized, I had hit the wall. Burnout had crept in.

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It’s a funny thing, burnout. It sneaks up on you when you least expect it. You’re performing at your best, feeling on top of your game, and then suddenly, the energy you once had disappears. This moment was a reality check for me, especially as a leader and business professional.?

Burnout Among Executives

Research shows that C-suite executives are particularly vulnerable to burnout. A Deloitte survey found that nearly 70% of executives reported feeling burnt out, with many citing long hours, high-stress environments, and constant decision-making as contributing factors. And yet, as leaders, we often ignore the warning signs, thinking we can power through.

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But burnout doesn’t just affect your performance, it can also impact your leadership, decision-making, and, ultimately, the people who depend on you.

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What I Did to Overcome Burnout

The moment I recognized what was happening, I made a conscious decision to hit the pause button. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary.

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Here’s what I did to recharge

Took Time to Reflect: I stepped back from my work, even for just a few hours each day, to reflect on how I was feeling and why. This helped me gain clarity on the stressors that were overwhelming me.

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Prioritized Rest and Recovery: Instead of pushing myself through exhaustion, I started making sleep and downtime a priority. Rest isn’t a luxury—it’s essential to sustained productivity.

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Delegated More: As leaders, we often feel responsible for everything, but I learned the importance of trusting my team and delegating tasks. It not only lightened my load but empowered others to step up.

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Embraced Small Breaks: Even during the workday, I started taking short breaks to disconnect, whether it was a 10-minute walk or simply closing my laptop for a few minutes. These small moments helped recharge my energy.

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What Can You Do?

The pressure is always on, and it’s easy to feel like you need to be constantly doing your best. But burnout isn’t something we can afford to ignore. Here are a few practical steps you can take to prevent burnout from sneaking up on you.

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Set Boundaries: Protect your personal time by setting clear boundaries around when you’ll work and when you’ll switch off.

Delegate and Trust Your Team: You don’t need to carry everything on your shoulders. Empower your team by delegating tasks and trusting them to deliver.

Check In with Yourself: Regularly assess how you’re feeling, both mentally and physically. Don’t wait for exhaustion to catch up before you take action.

Final Thoughts

Burnout is a real issue for leaders, and we have to be proactive about managing our energy and well-being. If you’re feeling the pressure mount, take a step back and evaluate. It’s not a sign of weakness to slow down—it’s a strategy for long-term success.

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I’ll be sharing more personal insights and research on this topic in the coming weeks. Stay tuned for practical tips on maintaining balance while leading at the highest level.

Take care of yourselves and remember, sometimes the best way to move forward is to take a step back.