I thought I was crushing it. A full-time job and a graduate school program perfectly aligned with my work - I was the poster child for career dedication. My evenings? Filled with coursework and projects that were connected to my job. Weekends? More of the same. My friends, family, and hobbies? Well, I missed them. But, I loved what I was doing so much that the line between work and study blurred into one endless loop of productivity with little time to miss out on the other things that made me... well, me.
But here's the plot twist you probably saw coming a mile away: By graduation, I wasn't just tired - I was completely burned out. Within months after graduation, I left a job I had once truly loved because I had nothing left to give. What I needed then (but didn't know it) was a coach to help me create sustainable success strategies. Someone to challenge my "more is more" mindset and help me design a better way to create balance in my leadership. And someone to help me create a recovery plan to get me back to the place where I loved my work and still had a life away from the job.
That burnout experience revolutionized my approach to leadership: Work-life harmony isn't a perk - it's a survival skill. I started my next role (a bigger position with more responsibilities) with boundaries as solid as bank vault security. Why? Because I'd learned the hard way that sustainable leadership requires sustainable practices. And I never, ever want to feel burnout like that again. Now, I get to show other leaders how to achieve more by doing less - and actually enjoy their lives along the way.
Here's the thing - my story isn't unique. And unfortunately, for many of us, it is all too common. In 2021, the World Health Organization released findings that should make every workaholic sit up straight: Working more than 55 hours per week is now the leading occupational hazard. Let that sink in. We're not just talking about being tired - we're talking about 745,000 deaths in 2016 from stroke and heart disease related to overwork.
Still thinking about checking those emails at 9 PM? Consider this:
- Your stroke risk jumps 35% when working over 55 hours
- Heart disease risk increases 17%
- Men are particularly vulnerable (72% of cases)
Those extra hours? They're probably wasted anyway. Stanford research showed that output at 70 hours barely differed from 56 hours. Those extra 14 hours? They are just expensive window-dressing.
🔑 Leadership Code Word of the Week: RECHARGE
Because let's face it - you can't pour from an empty cup, and your leadership battery needs regular charging to keep your strategic superpowers at full strength. Here are four proven strategies I use with my coaching clients to help them maximize impact while minimizing burnout:
- Conduct Your Hours Audit: Track every working hour this week (including those "quick" evening email checks). Be ruthlessly honest. Why? Because awareness drives change. When you see those hours in black and white, it becomes harder to justify that "just one more thing" mindset. Plus, research shows your cognitive function drops significantly after 50 hours of work. Want to make better decisions? Start by knowing where your time really goes.
- Delegate Like Your Health Depends On It (Because It Does): Choose three tasks to hand off this week. Yes, your team might tackle them differently - that's actually a good thing! When you trust others with meaningful work, two amazing things happen: they grow stronger, and you free up mental space for true leadership. Feeling unsure about what to delegate or how to let go? That's where leadership coaching makes all the difference. We help you develop the confidence and skills to know exactly when and what to hand off to your talented team.
- Set Your Non-Negotiable Boundary: Choose one firm limit - like no email after 6 PM or protecting your lunch break. Stick to it like it's mandated by law. When you respect your own boundaries, you model healthy work habits for your team. Plus, you'll show up fresher, sharper, and more creative. Those breakthrough solutions rarely come when you're running on empty.
- Schedule Joy (And Guard It Fiercely): Block time for something that energizes you - exercise, family dinner, a hobby - and defend it like you would a crucial stakeholder meeting. Why? Because you are a crucial stakeholder in your own success. Leaders who maintain interests outside work bring fresh perspectives and increased resilience to their roles. Your team needs you energized, not exhausted.
Remember: Every hour you reclaim isn't just an investment in your well-being - it's an investment in your leadership effectiveness. Your team deserves a leader who's present, focused, and modeling sustainable success.
Ready to unlock your leadership potential without sacrificing your sanity? Let's connect! Connect with me for more practical wisdom on leading without losing yourself in the process!
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