Operations executives usually love to solve problems. And why not? It’s not just about fixing issues. It’s about creating seamless systems, putting the kibosh on bottlenecks and breakdowns, and ultimately driving the organization’s success. It is so satisfying to see a well-oiled machine in action.
It’s tempting to treat every problem like it’s urgent. But it’s also draining. It’s like a slow leak in a tire. Eventually, going full throttle can wear you down, particularly without good support systems in place. Even if you can keep it from affecting your work life, it tends to squirt out personally, with sleep and health issues.
Even Superman needs his Fortress of Solitude from time to time.
In this episode, I’ll ID five sneaky signs you might be headed for burnout and how to steer clear of them.
Hey Ops Exec – you are particularly susceptible to burnout because of how multifaceted your role is and how consistent you need to be. So, let’s dive into these five red flags on the road to burnout and how to dodge them.
1. Taking on Too Much
It’s tempting to jump in, cape and all, to tackle every challenge head-on. Watching everything click into place can feel like magic. But taking on the troubles of the whole organization like they’re your own? It’s a fast track to feeling overwhelmed.
How to Overcome:
- Set Boundaries: Not everything is a five-alarm fire. Identify what’s truly urgent and prioritize and get better at saying ‘no’.
- Empower Your Team: Delegate confidently and trust your team to get it done. Clear instructions and a bit of autonomy go a long way. Besides, you’re not doing anyone any favors by doing it all yourself.
2. Neglecting Regular Self-Care
Many operations execs I know either has a mountain of unused PTO, or they’re using it to secretly work from the beach.
How to Overcome:
- Set Personal Time: Get that PTO on the schedule. Plus, block out time for yourself every single day on your calendar, whether it’s for a workout, meditation, or a trip to the park.
- Power Breaks: Take five minutes a few times every day to step outside, breathe and reset. You wouldn’t let your phone dwindle down at 5% all day. You need to recharge your batteries regularly too.
3. Not Communicating Your Needs
Keeping quiet about your workload or stress levels only creates misunderstandings and adds pressure.
How to Overcome:
- Speak Up: Have honest conversations about your workload. Share your challenges with someone you can trust and explore alternative ways to handle them.
- Feedback Channels: Regular feedback sessions can help clear understandings and set realistic expectations.
4. Lacking a Recovery Plan
Without a plan to bounce back after high-pressure periods it’s easy to fall into feeling stuck and exhausted.
How to Overcome:
- Plan Recovery: Look ahead to when you know the roughest times of the year will be. Build in recovery time to reflect and rejuvenate. Start treating like it’s part of the process.
- Invest in Growth: Learning isn’t just a skill booster it’s your resilience ally. It keeps your eye on the long game when you need it most.
5. Ignoring Early Signs of Burnout
Let’s be real, it’s tough to spot the signs of burnout when you’re in the thick of it. But burnout doesn’t usually hit out of the blue. It creeps up. Ignoring the early signs can make things worse.
How to Overcome:
- Self-Awareness: Regularly check in with yourself, just like you do with your team. Look out for signs like fatigue, irritability, feeling disconnected or having a lack of focus. Even just taking two minutes at the end of the day can help with this, identifying how your energy level and your focus level were throughout the day.
- Reach Out: Know that it’s okay to ask for help. A coach, mentor or therapist can generate fresh perspectives with you.
I’ll leave you with this question: What’s possible if you focused on recharging as much as you focus on solving problems quickly?
If this topic hits home, check out Episode 44, “How Ops Execs Can Stop Chasing Success and Start Living It.” You’ll find it at yourfuturerealized.com/44.
You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.