5 Unconventional Strategies to Beat Burnout

Written by: Roberta Vommaro Published on: Aug 10, 2023

This week I got an email from an executive I used to coach. Chronic stress, inability to “switch off” in spite of being exhausted, moodiness, and anxiety were some of the issues he was dealing with when we started working together. At that time, “burnout” was a new word, and he was surprised when his doctor told him that’s exactly what he was experiencing. He came to me for help and the first part of this story is a victory: yes, he got better. However, almost 5 years have passed since we worked together, and this week he told me: “The burnout is back. I need help.”

And he is not alone. A recent Canadian research reported that more than one third of professionals are currently struggling with burnout. This number is alarming. Whether people are still dealing with the stress of a post-pandemic world, economic shifts, or simply tired of the status quo, it's clear that something profound is underway. The very fabric of our lives, our structures, our businesses, and even our economies have shifted in unprecedented ways - and continue to do so. The rise of AI and technological advancements are emblematic of this change, and they are just the tip of the iceberg. It is natural that our nervous systems feel this shift, and are now in need of an “overhaul” - or at the very least, a “boost”.

So here are some 5 unconventional ways I have experimented with, both when dealing with burnout myself, as well as when coaching others, to beat burnout:

1.Cultivate Boundaries

I made myself as an unapologetic high-achiever and my clients are some of the most successful, hard-working high-achievers out there. There is nothing wrong with having ambitions - the issue is when we measure our worth by how successful/ accomplished we are (or think we should be). This often leads to burnout because in this search for external recognition (often disguised as perfectionism), we cross our personal boundaries. For burnout to happen it is because somewhere along the line we forgot to say NO. Maybe it was a project that went a little longer than we would have liked, maybe it is a client that keeps demanding more, or a boss, or sometimes even a family member. Either way, boundaries were crossed: we gave more than we wanted, more than we could. 

For each person, there is a “hook” for burnout grounded in some type of insecurity or fear - fear of losing it all, fear of not being loved, fear of not being accepted, fear of disappointing someone… Sometimes the pressure is higher the more we grow, achieve, and perfect. 

So here’s a twist - what if our boundaries were not just about time management, but about nurturing our self-confidence and letting our ambitions shine without the weight of others’ opinions? What if we had the courage to trust our instincts, respect our bodies, health, time, opinions, decisions, even when they defy norms?  Boundaries are a necessary form of unapologetic self-love. Imagine saying NO to a project that doesn’t align with your values. That’s not just protecting your time; it’s asserting your self-worth and setting the stage for what truly matters to you. Being ambitious doesn’t mean dancing to the tune of others’ expectations. It means pursuing your goals fueled by your fire, not someone else’s applause.

2. Authentic Delegation

Picture this: you're not overwhelmed by tasks that drain your energy. Instead, you gracefully delegate the responsibilities that don't align with your strengths or passions. I know what you’re thinking, “But how could I? Who would want to do x,y,z?” A few years ago I met a retired accountant who told me she was passionate (PASSIONATE) about budgeting. She would create excel spreadsheets for everything - a weekend trip, Christmas shopping, you name it. At the time I was struggling to choose an efficient accounting system for my studio, so quite naturally I asked: “Would you be willing to help with this?” Her answer: “I would be delighted to!” I don’t particularly dislike accounting (I was a tax lawyer for a number of years, after all), but I’m also not that excited about it. The point is: she was.

Delegation isn't just about efficiency; it's self-care. Entrust those tasks to others who excel in them, allowing you to channel your energy into what you truly enjoy. For the small business owners out there who might be thinking “but I can’t afford to pay someone to do the work”, I encourage you to think outside the box: exchange work tasks, hire interns, offer business perks. You will be surprised at how many people can’t wait to do the very thing that you avoid the most.

3. Practice Mindful Multitasking

“The feeling that any task is a nuisance will soon disappear if it is done in mindfulness.” - Thich Nhat Hahn.

Mindfulness is the art of being fully present and engaged in the moment, allowing you to cultivate a deep sense of awareness and connection to your actions. This concept is not new when it comes to dealing with burnout: the idea is to perform any task (as tedious as it might be), giving your full attention, while becoming aware of the present moment (or even in a state of “awareness of your awareness”). Before you know it, the task is done and you’re also gifted with the calmness that a meditative state brings.

But we can go deeper: you can also practice mindful (as in purposeful) multitasking. Some say multitasking splits your focus and worsens the results of each task, but we Renaissance high-achievers are here to shift this paradigm. Multitasking doesn’t have to be two difficult tasks at once, which could impact results if it were to split the person’s attention (although I argue that for some people multitasking actually improves attention span). Multitasking can also be blending a task with a feeling brought about by another activity that will allow you to get into a state of joyful flow. I’ll explain: try seamlessly blending work tasks with things that are enjoyable or that give you energy. Some examples: sketch a business idea while enjoying your morning coffee or brainstorm your next project during a brisk walk. This synergy is a great way of doing some self-care even when work deadlines are upon you and you feel you have no time. It also invites a state of focused presence while allowing for the brain to make new connections, boosting productivity. Bringing enjoyment into your daily life, even if in a multitasking format, is an important antidote to burnout.

4. The Art of doing "Nothing"

Every now and then we need to embrace the Italian philosophy of Dolce Far Niente - or the sweetness of doing nothing. Amid the chaos of day-to-day life, work and family commitments, carve out moments of purposeful stillness, allowing your mind to wander without an agenda. Watch as fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and newfound clarity emerge.

This “doing nothing” includes not doing self-improvement. I am one to quickly recommend meditation and yoga as ways of balancing the nervous system (and they truly are one of the most powerful tools), but there is also something quite profound about not having to do anything. Even if it is for 10 minutes a day, to go outside, or stare out the window, or sit on the couch doing nothing - think of this time as a blank page with no need to be filled or given meaning to. Creative people understand this need. But the truth is that it is a helpful tool for absolutely everyone.

5. Harness the Transformative Power of Professional Coaching

This last one might sound slightly self-serving, but wait a second, this is not just about me. A recent research by Mayo Clinic has uncovered a groundbreaking fact: professional coaching significantly reduces burnout. A study involving 80 burned-out physicians revealed that just six coaching sessions led to reduced burnout and increased well-being.

I say this study is groundbreaking for two reasons: 1) for years coaching has been seen as superfluous pseudo-science, often associated with people who read self-help books and believe in just about anything; 2) this study had actual physicians as subjects (!), proving once and for all that coaching is not only a helpful, but necessary tool to support people’s well-being, work, life, and balance. In the case of burnout, skilled coaches can help identify it and guide you away from the patterns that created it, empowering you to navigate challenges with clarity and resilience.

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It is important to check if your mindset, routine, and environments are putting you on a path to burnout. Be mindful of your choices, and understand you are capable of thriving authentically and free of burnout by making small changes in your routine, mindset, and goals. The world needs your unique brilliance, and with these unconventional strategies, you're poised to rise, transform, and thrive like never before!

If you need help crafting a structure that will prevent burnout - or guide you away from it - let’s talk:

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