You normally do well at your job, right?
In fact, you may be one of the company superstars.
Accomplished. Talented. Successful.
But lately, you can’t seem to get much done. Projects you’d normally handle with one hand tied behind your back languish behind schedule.
You push yourself harder. Work longer hours. Sleep less.
Yet still, your performance is subpar. Especially by your high standards, leaving you distraught and disheartened.
Usually you dig in and try harder to achieve at your customary level. But now, trying harder only seems to make it worse – like you actually have both hands tied behind your back.
What’s going on?
I’ll explain.
Why You’re Not Performing Up To Your Usual Standards
Your lack of productivity and poor performance could be caused by burnout. But it’s not your fault.
Your workplace culture is almost certainly the culprit.
Here’s why.
Managers often create unrelenting workplace stress that leads to burnout. They pile unreasonably heavy workloads on you. You end up going to too many meetings that accomplish nothing.
Women like you, who are highly capable, are especially vulnerable to workplace burnout because managers tend to pile work on their most competent employees.
You may be even more susceptible to burnout if you’re a woman who expects a lot of herself, even when unreasonable demands are put on you. So it’s possible you successfully handled a monstrous workload until finally burnout caught up with you and tanked your productivity and performance.
Again, I have to stress, this isn’t your fault!
Now, let’s see what will help you get your well-being back.
6 Ways To Overcome Burnout-Related Low Productivity And Poor Performance
Here are 6 specific strategies you can use to bring yourself back from burnout-related poor productivity and performance:
#1 Book time with your manager and ask them for clear expectations for your performance in writing. Sometimes we worry ourselves into a frazzle while going far above and beyond expectations, because we’re unclear on what acceptable performance is. When you get confirmation that you and your manager are in sync with job performance standards, you won’t be incessantly worried you’re not meeting them.
#2 Take regular breaks during the workday for a brisk walk or stretch at your desk. Get outside and away from the office.
#3 Maintain reasonable work hours, including, if necessary, committing to yourself to leave at the end of a regular work day. Getting up and leaving at a set time might feel awkward at first when you’ve been used to staying until all hours. But let your well-being take priority.
#4 Keep your evenings free for personal time. Read, take a walk, soak in a hot bath – whatever nurtures you.
And I can’t stress this one enough:
#5 Eat wholesome, nutritious, unprocessed food. Diet is often one of the first things we neglect when we’re moving into burnout. I know, because it happened to me. A healthy diet will do wonders to support you to break free from burnout as well as help you regain your vitality as you leave burnout behind.
#6 Get my complimentary “From Burnout To Balance: A Simple 10-Minute Daily Self-Care Practice.” This practice has been shown to:
- Increase mindfulness, well-being, self-confidence, and personal power
- Increase your ability to concentrate
- Cultivate a greater resilience to stress, a positive mindset, and a sense of hopefulness and calm
- Decrease stress and stress-related symptoms like frustration, mood swings, feelings of overwhelm or lack of control, anxiety, depression, low energy, headaches, body aches and pains, muscle tension, chest pain and rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and frequent colds and infections
- Reduce or even stop worrying
Taking these steps will help put you back on a path to wellness, leaving burnout behind.
Let’s Raise Your Productivity And Banish Burnout
When you’re used to performing and delivering at a high level, you can feel devastated when your high standards slide and you can’t regain them no matter how hard you try.
It’s easy to get down on yourself. To believe if you just tried harder, you could once again perform at your customary level of achievement.
Instead, apply the strategies I’ve given you. Be gentle with yourself.
At Its Root, Burnout Is All About This…
Women with Type A perfectionist characteristics are most likely to suffer from burnout. You may be one of them. I get you! I too tend to Type A perfectionism. But I know the key to keep myself healthy and out of burnout – and it may surprise you.
The key is self-love.
Love yourself wholeheartedly and abundantly.
If this is a tall order for you, you can get extra care and support by signing up for my free From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge.
During these 7 days, we’ll look at what’s really going on beneath the signs of burnout like low productivity and performance. I’ll give you simple strategies for how to turn things around so you can get on the path towards balance and enjoy your life again.
If you’re ready to break out of the burnout cycle and desire to be…
- Relaxed and confident, knowing you’re tending to the most important priorities
- Energized, clear and focused
- Calm, easy-going and peaceful
- Sleeping like a baby and waking up rested
- Engaged, inspired and passionate about your life
Join me by clicking here to sign up for my next From Burnout to Balance 7-Day Self-Love Challenge. It’s Free!