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Be Aware of Positive Burnout
Burnout is a major topic of conversation in the business
world. We discuss it, dread it, and have theories about
why it exists. Estimates are that seven out of ten of us
feel burned out at any given time, and virtually
everyone will experience burnout at some point in their
career. The most common reaction to burnout, however, is
our fear surrounding it. We worry and wonder, When will
it happen to me?
But have you ever stepped back far enough to see the
positive side of burnout? Often, burnout is a signal
that something new, exciting, and profitable is just
around the corner! After all, why would you make major
changes in your life in the absence of these types of
feelings? You probably wouldn't. If you always felt
great about your career and current direction, you may
spend the rest of your life doing the very same thing.
There was a time in my life when I thought I was going
to make it as a professional Tennis player. Yet after
many years of aches and pains, as well as some
noticeable shortcomings in my game, I began to feel
burned out. Had it not been for these feelings, I surely
would have continued on the same path, which included a
great deal of struggle, frustration, and little chance
of major success. If not for my burnout, I would have
been missing out on a great education and a personally
fulfilling career. As I look back on my life, I can see
that virtually every positive fork in the road was
preceded by a certain degree of burnout. And in
retrospect, it was all positive burnout.
The point here is that it's not all necessary to freak
out or worry when you feel burned out. Instead, try to
keep things in perspective. Remember that negative
feelings can be deceptive. Often they are positive
signals disguised as negative feelings. As you worry
less, two things will happen. First, you'll discover
that most burnout is nothing more than a bad mood taken
to seriously. If you don't worry to much about it, it
will probably go away and you'll regain your enthusiasm
for your work in a short period of time. Second, the
less you worry about burnout, the less energy you give
it, the clearer you will be about any needed changes in
your life. In other words, you'll know what to do.
Worry gets in the way of your wisdom and common sense.
As you let go of fear, as you investigate your feelings
of burnout, you may discover that your feelings are
trying to tell you something, point you in a new
direction, redirect your energy-or something else that
is positive in nature. As you learn to trust your inner
resources by letting go of fear, you'll discover that
your wisdom will tell you exactly what you need to be
doing at any given point in your life. Try putting a
positive slant on your feelings of burnout and watch
them fade away.
author unknown
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