Natural Leaders & the cycle of burnout: The struggle is real!
Ever noticed how natural leaders always seem to emerge as beacons of shining light, guidance and inspiration during tough times? Yep, me too.
Natural leaders are not necessarily always the ones holding a leadership title but when the proverbial shit hits the fan there they are - they show up with logical approaches to problem solving, with vision, a seemingly innate ability to rally others together, unwavering support and maybe even a little charisma and humour.
They step up.
Do you relate?
Sounds pretty bloody admirable right!
However, (WARNING: uncomfortable truth moment coming up) if we take a closer look it reveals a bit of a pattern, and not a great one. You may notice that you find yourself cycling through periods of burnout and over-commitment, finding yourself wanting to curl up and hide away from the world.
This phenomenon stems from those fabulous inherent qualities you posses as a natural leader and the demands placed upon you (and dare I say, the demands you place upon yourself) but here’s the kicker…this cycle ultimately jeopardises your well-being, overall health and even your effectiveness.
I have been contemplating this a lot lately (yes, I relate!) and maybe you have been thinking about it too (or maybe you are too overcommitted right now to have space to even notice that your in this cycle)
So let’s delve into some of the reasons behind this unhealthy cycle and explore three key tips to help you, as a natural leader break free from its unrelenting grip
Reason number one: The burden of expectations
Natural leaders carry the weight of high expectations. Whether self-imposed or imposed by others, the pressure to consistently excel can be overwhelming. You might notice yourself striving for perfection, constantly seeking to exceed previous achievements, or as my husband pointed out to me yesterday…seeking ever more challenges! This unrelenting pursuit is straight up draining your energy my friend and can begin to push you beyond reasonable limits…and the result? Yep, you guessed it:
Burnout
Reason number two: The pitfall of over commitment
Driven by a deep desire to make a difference, support others and do good things you frequently find yourself saying "yes" to every damn opportunity that comes your way. As a natural leader you can instantly find passion and purpose for your work, no matter what the work is, and the desire to help others clouds judgment when it comes to setting boundaries…ooof! That one hits ya in the feels! What then happens, and I can definitely testify to this from my own experience is; you become magnets for responsibility, for becoming the caretaker of ALL THE THINGS and easily fall into the trap of overcommitment. This (naughty) habit does not serve you my friend, it does however deplete your resources, leaving little room for self-care, healthy practices and recovery.
This brings me to my next very important observation…
Reason number three: Neglecting self care
Natural leaders tend to prioritise the needs of others above their own. Yes, that is you I am talking to here…let me re-phrase and say it louder for the people in the back…YOU PRIORITISE the NEEDS of OTHERS ABOVE your OWN needs! You sacrifice personal time, play, rest and relaxation and the big one - sleep to keep up with the demanding roles. In pursuit of this over caring about EVERYONE else, you overlook the importance of your own self-care, and start to actually believe that it is a luxury you simply can not afford to take. Sounds ridiculous but I can tell you this is a very real kinda self neglect that takes a very real toll on physical, mental, and emotional well-being, and yep once again, perpetuating the cycle of burnout.
So that’s all a bit confronting and I’m not here to doom and gloom up your inbox then leave you with this extra thing to think about. As a natural leader myself I’m all about the solutions and whilst the below tips may not be everything it’s a little something I can share with you that might just help you to begin to break the cycle.
Breaking the cycle
One: Embrace self awareness
The first step to breaking the cycle of burnout is cultivating self-awareness. Learning to recognise your own limitations and understand that self-care is not a selfish act but a necessity for long-term effectiveness, getting really honest and acknowledging your own needs and vulnerabilities, can help you make informed decisions about commitments and establish healthy boundaries.
Two: Delegate and collaborate
Yes my friend, there are other people out there who look up to you and when given the chance, when delegated tasks you might ordinarily take on yourself, they too will shine! Natural leaders often struggle with delegation, this can be for many reasons such as a fear of relinquishing control or a belief that you are the only one capable of handling certain tasks, or even just habit! However, learning to trust others and share the workload is crucial. By empowering others and embracing collaboration, you can prevent overload and foster a healthier and more sustainable and inclusive work, social and family environment.
Three: Practice self restoration and renewal
You have gotta make time to reconnect with all the parts of you. Breaking the cycle of burnout, does take the introduction of some interruption, time to fill your cup back up! Engaging in activities that recharge your physical, mental, and emotional energy is 110% essential. This is where yoga and meditation practices come in for me but it might also be something like taking a regularly walk in nature, exercise, mindfulness practices, fun and playful hobbies, or quality time with the ones you love…dedicating time to renewing and restoring yourself is a huge investment in your long-term well-being and helps you to continue to be successful…sustainably! This all enables you to lead with greater resilience and effectiveness, creating a positive ripple effect not just where you work but also where to live and play.
Kerry x.
P.S. Book yourself a spot in the Radical Rest mini yoga retreats to help get you started on a new practice of self awareness and restoration.
Bunbury WA, June 24 and Fremantle WA, August 13
*places still available
