Experiencing Burnout? It’s Time to Explore your “WHY”
A business owner recently shared with me her experience of burnout. She is not married, has no children, and is completely overwhelmed. She works long days and then goes home to do more work. She is always connected to her computer and cell phone. She "wolfs" down dinner and is extremely exhausted.
If this sounds like you, it's time to evaluate your "Why".
Your "Why" explains your dreams, your goals- your big purpose. When you look back on your life, what things will have mattered most.
As I look back on my 16 years of growing and running a successfull dental practice, perhaps my "Why" has evolved. Now what matters most is time with my family, travel experiences, knowing that I have a business that can change and impact peoples lives, and leaving a legacy to help other business owners achieve their "Why."
Here's an exercise that you can do today that will change your life.
-Take a quiet time and think about what you want. What matters most? Explore your really deep "Why".
-Write down your vision. Where do you want to be in 5 years. Who do you want to be? Finally, who can help you get there. One of the big contributors to burnout is trying to do everything yourself.
-Write down everything that you like to do. Is it a particular hobby, exercise, personal development time, time with family, time with friends? Schedule these things in your calendar first to make sure that they happen.
-Prioritize your time to ensure that you can meet all of your goals. The remaining time in your calendar is time to focus on completing your goals. While there will never be enough time to do everything, there is always time to do what's most important. Write down your goals, the steps to get there, and the deadline of when you wish to achieve them.
-Eliminate, Automate, and Delegate. Make sure to eliminate any task that does not directly contribute to your goals. Automate the tasks that can be automated, and delegate any tasks that you do not directly have to do. This exercise will allow you to multiply your productivity. Only focus on what matters most and what only you can do.
By following this simple 5 step plan, you will start to see changes. You will be healthier, happier, and achieve your "Why".
