“Leadership is an active role; ‘lead’ is a verb. But the leader who tries to do it all is headed for burnout, and in a powerful hurry.” – Bill Owens
At times, it feels like your heart beats in sync with the ticking clock. Every passing second carries another demand:
- “I have a meeting in thirty minutes.”
- “This task should have only taken an hour!”
- “I just got another email. If I answer it now, I’ll be twenty minutes behind for the rest of the day.”
Your goals are big, and in the pursuit of success, slowing down can feel like failure. But rest isn’t a setback—it’s a necessity. Often, it’s the difference between living your dreams and fearing your reality.
So, what is burnout, where does it come from, and how does it manifest?
What Burnout Really Is
Sitting in an uncomfortable chair at a cramped desk for hours on end, begrudgingly churning out assignments for an unknown power-that-be, is enough to drive anyone insane—but burnout isn’t exclusive to this scenario.
As a female entrepreneur, burnout may have been what pushed you to reclaim your time and build an authentic life. But even when you love what you do, exhaustion can creep in.
Burnout is a state of overwhelming fatigue caused by prolonged stress and overwork. It’s not just about disliking your job—it’s the result of constantly pushing forward without taking the time to recharge.
Surprisingly, those who experience burnout are often high-achievers, respected in their fields. Some exhaustion is normal, but if you’re feeling low energy, loss of passion, dread, or panic about your work, you may be burning out.
How to Recover from Burnout
“Enlightenment is the quiet acceptance of what is.” – Wayne Dyer
It’s common to feel guilty about burning out from something you’re passionate about. But acknowledging where you are is the first step to getting back on track.
Reassess Your Priorities
If success is only measured by external achievements, you’ll never feel satisfied. Instead, ask yourself how you want to feel when you accomplish a goal—relieved? Knowledgeable? Appreciated? Aligning with your deeper purpose makes your goals more fulfilling and sustainable.
Slow Down
You can’t build an empire in a day. Break your goals into small, realistic steps so they feel manageable. A little organic progress each day is far more effective than rapid, forced growth.
Find Support
Burnout isn’t something you have to navigate alone. That’s where Soul Seed Academy comes in.
Soul Seed Academy: A Path to Sustainable Success
As a full-service business incubator and accelerator, Soul Seed Academy helps women build thriving businesses without sacrificing their well-being. Through free development workshops, community-based retreats, and valuable resources, we support you at every stage of your journey.
Take the first step toward sustainable success!
