How to Lead without Burning out: 5 rules that last!
When I was a new leader, I thought burnout was just part of the package, like paper cuts from sticky notes or the mysterious disappearance of pens from my desk. Everyone I admired was tired. Really tired. So I figured that’s what leadership meant: running on caffeine, pushing through headaches, and answering emails that said, “Per my last email…” like I was starring in a workplace soap opera.
But here’s the thing, burnout is not proof you’re doing your job well. It’s proof you’re doing it in a way that will eventually make you bad at it.
So, I wanted to rewrite the playbook. Here are 5 rules or insights that have saved my sanity, my leadership career, and quite possibly the lifespan of my espresso machine.
#1 Treat Energy Like Brakes on a Car
Yes, you heard me. Treat energy like brakes on a car. When you drive, you have to stop from time to time, even if you want to keep going. You have to eventually stop at traffic lights, at stop signs, and before you hit a curb. And that is what I want you to do with your energy. I want you to stop even though you feel fine. You do not have to work yourself to exhaustion to be productive. Make a plan for the day/week, use prioritizing skills, and implement time management skills. Use your energy for your advantage, meaning, leave some for the next day!
#2 Be Intentionally Lazy …Sometimes
That’s right. Create built in lazy time into your day. This will allow you to relax and recharge. Being intentional means your laziness has a limit or boundary. It means you are in control of the laziness and have enough self-discipline to get back into the flow of your day. Tip: set a timer/alarm for your lazy time…so you will not oversleep or mis a deadline.
#3 Double Your Leadership Reach with Delegation
I hope that you are working with someone or a team that you can trust and that you guys have the same goals. {If not, then that is another story for another day}. Delegation isn’t just passing off tasks; it’s doubling your leadership reach. Trust goes a long way with delegation.
#4 Identify Which House is on Fire
Not every situation or person is a “drop everything” situation. Most things aren’t, actually. Design a system when something is urgent or need prioritizing and teach that to others. Teaching others problem solving skills may be necessary (case by case basis of course).
#5 Take a Day Off
If you can not take a day off without everything falling down, then you have a much bigger problem than burnout. That is a work culture problem. Leaders know how to plan ahead, prepare, and run systems that will hopefully keep running when the leader is out for a day..or week (lol).
Leading without burning out is not about doing less; it’s about doing the right things in the right way for the long haul.
