Today we are diving into the truth, because the truth will set you free.

How often are you facing the truth at work?

I would say as a high-achiever, you're great at facing work problems.

Now, personal problems . . . not so much.

What does that mean?

It means that we are so committed to being the problem-solver in our careers that that commitment can blind us from recognizing the fact that we are headed toward or are already in a state of burnout.

Remember last week's analogy of a sprint vs. a marathon?

When we do not face the truth or the reality of the situation that we are currently in, our default assumption is that we are in a sprint.

Sprints mean we can push through, give more, and "make it happen."

What's worse is that even when we realize we are in the middle of a marathon, instead of putting self-care and self-preservation techniques in place to keep us from burning out, we convince ourselves that the finish line is on the horizon and we are almost there.

We tell ourselves that "Surely the end is near. I just have to push a little longer."

Never have you had to strive this hard, push this long, etc. so the end must be close.

It is in this moment right here that puts so many talented women into a state of burnout.

Instead of looking for the signs (sprint vs. marathon) and finding evidence to validate that state, they assume.

They assume it's a sprint and that they can hang in there just a little longer.

That assumption comes not because they are bad leaders. We aren't bad leaders, we know this.  This assumption, this desire to believe the end is near, comes from both experience and hope.

First, we have never had to push hard for more than a few weeks or a month, so experience tells us that most events like this truly are sprints. Naturally we are going to say that is what we are facing because that's what we know.

Second, not only is this our most common experience, but on a personal level, we need this situation to end soon.

“The end has GOT to be in sight because I seriously can’t do this much longer."

Because of these two human emotions/experiences, what do we do?

Instead of taking stock of where we are and seeing the truth of the situation, we rally and we push.

After all that extra rally, that extra push, that extra “extra” is what got us where we are in our careers in the first place.

It’s part of our brand.

So then how do we combat our professional identity and human emotions to face the truth of the situation?

The first step is to eliminate the thought that if we don’t push, we aren’t worthy.

I know that sounds crazy but listen to me.

If part of our professional brand is to give a little extra.  Then naturally we are going to always be looking to give the extra.

If we are running a sprint, that works, but if we are in a marathon, it doesn’t.

So again, the truth will set you free.

We must be willing to recognize that there’s a time and a place for the extra push.  And if we want the chance to add those "extras" during the sprints and be able to be the leader that hunkers down and leads our teams through the slog of a marathon of hard times, we must be willing to see the truth in both the situation we are facing as well as the reality that the “extra” isn’t the only part of our brands that make us great.

Today’s homework is to take a second to look within yourself.

Is part of your brand pushing through and giving the extra?

Are you doing that all of the time or only during sprint moments?

Do you know the difference between a marathon and a sprint moment?

If you’re uncertain, send me an email and I will send you my calendar link so we can chat through it (info@legendleaders.com).

Be Legendary!

P.S. If you're interested in having us speak to your organization or team about burnout, please send us an email. We would love to serve your organization/group! (info@legendleaders.com)