We’ve reached the final tip in my burnout prevention series. This week, we’re tackling a powerful, but often overlooked factor: your unhealthy mindset.
Balancing a business and your family can feel like a constant juggling act, and it’s easy to get swept away by the pressure to prioritize productivity above all else. To feel like you’re “always on” and you need to be that way for your business to be successful.
But here’s the truth bomb you need to hear loud and clear: productivity isn’t everything.
Burnout Kryptonite: Challenging the Workaholic Myth
Whether it’s external voices like corporate company culture or the whispers of your inner critic, the message that equates self-worth with constant work is a recipe for disaster.
You simply cannot prevent or recover from burnout if you’re operating in an environment (even one you created!) that celebrates workaholism and prioritizes long hours over everything else, including your health and relationships.
You tell yourself this is how to get things done but you’re burning the candle at both ends and feeling fried and frayed. You don’t know how to turn it off so you believe this is what’s required of you.
The Unconscious Hustle:
Often, our relentless workaholic tendencies stem from deeper beliefs about our value. One thing I had to learn myself: my value is not in what I produce.
This is a tough pill to swallow. Depending on how we were raised or how we advanced through school and careers, we can often have a mindset that our value is in our ability to outwork everyone else.
We don’t even realize it but we have become our work. We somehow have begun to believe that the accolades mean we matter. We are valued.
Taking Inventory:
Here’s your action step: evaluate your work environment. Are you prioritizing work above everything else because it is what makes you feel valuable? What makes you feel whole? Do you find yourself internalizing these messages and feeling guilty for taking breaks?
Breaking Free from Burnout:
If you find yourself stuck in a work-first mindset, it’s time to confront it. I think you know if this is you. You know, deep down inside, that work has this unhealthy place in your life because work is how you define yourself. Who are you if not an achiever?
If this is you, burnout is always going to be just on the other side of the door, beckoning you to let it in. It’s going to be very hard not to succumb to this after awhile.
A lot of people who talk about burnout don’t understand that the “before” is often an unhealthy addiction to work that is rooted in an unhealthy mindset about our value as human beings.
If this is you…
Seek guidance from a mentor, counselor, or even a godly business coach – they can equip you with strategies to break free from the cycle and establish healthy boundaries. They can hold a mirror up to these beliefs and help you to work through them.
Remember: You are more than your productivity. You are more than the work you produce. You have value even if you never work another day in your life.
Sweet friend, I’m so proud of you! By incorporating these five tips into your routine, you’ll be well on your way to conquering burnout and building a business that fuels your passions, not your exhaustion. (Want to learn more about my own burnout recovery? Visit here!)
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Disclaimer: While Kelly is a certified business coach this post is for informational purposes only and may not be the best fit for you and your personal situation. It shall not be construed as financial advice. The information and education provided here is not intended or implied to supplement or replace legal or financial advice. Always check with your own legal or financial team before trying or implementing any information read here. As an Amazon Associate Kelly also earns from qualifying purchases.
