I was having a peaceful breakfast with my 16-month old daughter in a chic downtown Chicago restaurant.
Without warning my daughter’s face turned from all smiles to one of fear.
Then my rite of passage into parenthood began.
She projectile vomited all over the restaurant table and floor.
I was stunned, horrified, and disoriented.
I took her up to our hotel room thinking,
“Thank, God I wasn’t the sick one.”
Famous last words….
A few hours later, I was hugging the toilet and vomiting too.
I was sick and really wasn’t in a position to take care of myself or my child.
My daughter and I just hung out in the bathroom getting sick together until Mom could come back to help.
The entire experience was a bit traumatic for both of us, but afterwards I felt proud of how I handled it and even more confident as a father.
Job Burnout is a Rite of Passage
Just like taking care of my sick child was my rite of passage for parenthood; your own job burnout is a rite of passage for an inspiring career.
It marks your progress from working for just a paycheck and title to working for you own inspired professional dream.
And by getting through it, you reap unique benefits that only those that have been there really get like:
- Empowerment– You get an empowering story that helps you take responsibility for the decisions that set the course for your future career…one you jump out of bed in the morning to do.
- Connectedness – Your own personal burnout story connects you to a broader professional community. This community is extremely supportive and connects on a much deeper and authentic level that your typical professional or networking group.
- Confidence – Once you’ve gone through burnout you feel more confident in the career path you choose. You start looking at your career differently and begin considering a career based upon your own strengths, values, and own definition of success.
- Wisdom – You get an entirely different perspective on your career. You find out that a job that provides satisfaction and fulfillment trumps whatever everyone else is telling you.
- Inspiration – You start to share you story with others. They’re inspired. You’re inspired in return.
Three Keys to Surviving Job Burnout
There can be some really dark, difficult days when you’re going through burnout.
You start dreading that turn into your office parking lot every morning.
Just walking into your office and turning on the computer feels likes jail sentence.
You need a change, but you’re out of ideas for what to do next.
It really helps to key three keys in mind when you’re going through tough times:
- Remember “It’s just a Matter of Time” – There is a light at the end of the tunnel! When you’re burned out, it’s helpful to have a mantra to keep you going. For me, it’s been “it’s just a matter of time”. It reminds you of the light at the end of the tunnel and it’s crucial to remember that you’re transitioning to something bigger.
- Realize there’s no shame in your burnout – Job burnout is as common as Mom and apple pie. You’re not alone and the stats bear that out. You’ve got nothing to be embarrassed about.
- Reach out for help – When you’re first experiencing burnout, it can be tempting to keep it to yourself. Try inviting a close friend or family member out for coffee and explaining. Ask for their support.
Job Burnout Gives you a Sense of Community
A final point about a rite of passage is that it affirms community solidarity, especially in times of change or crisis.
If you were intentional about sharing your own burnout story at the office what kinds of connections would you make?
What wisdom would come from it?
How would you inspire the of the others and would yours be inspired in return?
If you’ve gone through burnout and reignited your career, I would really like to hear your story.
Please leave your story in the comments below, and I’ll select one to feature in an upcoming article.
