The role of mindset in preventing burnout -
What Causes Professional Burn-out
The strategies and mindsets that drive early career success can later lead to burnout if not adapted to evolving life circumstances. High performers initially thrive by adopting beliefs such as proving their value through work, succeeding independently, and maintaining relentless work ethics. These approaches yield academic and professional rewards, reinforcing the perception that this is the only path to success.
However, as these individuals face increased responsibilities from personal and professional growth, their rigid adherence to these early strategies often results in signs of burnout like exhaustion and irritability.
Those who avoid burnout and sustain success modify their approaches, aligning their work and life practices with their current values and circumstances, often reflecting on what truly matters to them at their existing life stage. This evolution often involves reshaping work habits and boundaries, potentially with the help of introspection or external support.
Turning Pro
New executives or those aspiring to the executive ranks are often struggling under the burden of this mindset. It’s often actually what is holding them back as they can’t sustain the kind of work pace they think they ought in order to be a successful executive. , embracing the mindset of "Turning Pro" is essential. This concept, eloquently articulated by writer Steven Pressfield in his book, serves as a powerful metaphor for the transformation necessary for true professional success.
Turning Pro isn't about where you rank globally or how others perceive your status; it's about showing up with a distinctly professional demeanor, regardless of the circumstances. Being a professional means operating in a state of constant stretch, pushing your boundaries without succumbing to fear. And that requires aligning work and life practices with your current values and circumstances, and reshaping work habits to match.
Interestingly, overcoming fear in this context doesn't require mere fortitude. Fortitude and grit are part of the “gut it out” mindset of the amateur. What truly sets professionals apart is the cultivation of self-compassion. It is through self-compassion that one can master fear and continue to grow.
Many executives remain trapped in an amateur mindset, where fear and self-criticism dominate their leadership style and burn-out looms. By transforming this mindset and nurturing self-compassion, aspiring and current executives can navigate their roles with resilience.
Actioning the Insight
Here are a few concepts from Turning Pro
🧘🏼♂️ Start by developing your work as a “practice.” With it's own space, time and approached with intention. Approached with humility as a student.
🏔 Work over your head - work beyond what you know you can do, even what you think you can do. Amateurs feign confidence by working what they know.
🦆 Write what you don’t know - amateurs think they have to have their ducks all in a row before they start. Competence is on the other side of doing.
🤕 Take what the defense gives you - some days, advancing 2 yards is progress. Take the short term. Never underestimate what you can accomplish in the long. You’re not playing to win, you’re playing to live, to flourish.
🚧 “Sit chilly” - a term from horse racing and a metaphor for how to behave in fear... “In a steeplechase, we may find ourselves at the gallop atop our twelve-hundred-pound hunter-jumper, approaching a stone wall that looks like it's fifteen feet high. When fear threatens, the way we sit in the saddle, ie. 'chilly' — is how our intentions are communicated to the ultra-sensitive mount beneath us.”
Until next week,
