Float Image
Image
Float Image
BLOG
COACHING
ABOUT
CONTACT
Float Image
Float Image
All CategoriesLife CoachingSelf-ConfidenceBurnout
Float Image
Float Image
HomeBlogIf you're thirsty, take a drink.
Float Image
Float Image

If you're thirsty, get a drink.

Author Dr. Richard Mitchell Avatar
by Dr. Richard Mitchell
1
0
Image

If you're thirsty, get a drink.

If you’re thirsty, get a drink.

I was brought up to have a strong work ethic.

I am an Eagle Scout. I went to college on an Army ROTC scholarship. I studied until I brought my SAT score up to a respectable level. I didn’t stop until I got what I needed or until time ran out.

And that’s a good thing. Had I not achieved Eagle Scout or earned an ROTC scholarship, my life would certainly be different than it is now.

Not better or worse, just different. In the way that small ripples in the past make enormous differences in the future. The Butterfly Effect. Marty McFly. That sort of thing.

Point is, my work ethic made me who I am today.

And I always thought there couldn’t be a downside to that. I never thought there might be negative consequences to having a strong work ethic.

I was wrong…

I attribute my burnout, and all its ramifications, to my unethical work ethic.

You see, while I was proving myself to myself through my strong work ethic, I was beating myself to a pulp in doing so. The way I worked was unethical… to myself.

What I wish I had seen was that I was treating myself poorly. Actually, I was abusing myself. Mentally, physically, emotionally. Because of that, most things in my life suffered. My marriage, my kids, my health.

I didn’t realize it. I wasn’t paying attention. And I was so isolated in the situation that no one knew to offer help. I had sequestered myself to such a level that no one really knew I existed. They knew I was working, but no one could really see me for me.

That didn’t help the burnout either.

I guess what I’m saying is that if you’re hanging your hat on hard work, if you’re planting your flag in the soil of your work ethic, be careful. That ground might be quicksand.

I ask you these questions:

❓ Do you get to a point where you start making mistakes, but you think you can power through?

❓ Do you wake up early to get to work early - earlier than others - to show your work ethic?

❓ Do you “sneak” work? Are you checking your email on your phone when you go to the bathroom because you know your family will be irritated that you’re checking your email at all?

❓ Do you skip lunch to the point that you don’t even remember that it’s a meal?

❓ Do you drink less water so you need to use the bathroom less?

These are signals that can illustrate a strong work ethic. But they are also signals that your work ethic is unethical.

📣 Here’s the question though. WTF do you do about this?

After all, if you don’t get to work early, someone else will. If you don’t check your email at home, you might miss an important detail. If you leave your desk to go to the bathroom, you might miss an important call.

These are all true.

All of them.

True.

And they feel impossible to change, don’t they?

I offer this: You may not be able to change all of this. But you can EASE OFF. Take your foot off the gas.

You can wean yourself off of the email when you’re at home. Put the kids to bed and then check. Did you truly miss anything? Seriously. Did you miss something that will have any consequences?

If you can’t find someone to eat lunch with, shut your door for 15 minutes and watch Weekend Update on YouTube (That’s what I did…). Have a laugh. Calm down.

If you’re not drinking enough water so that you won’t need to go to the bathroom. Well, stop it. That’s an easy one.

I’ll tell you… there is too much at stake here. If you’re working too hard or if you’re spending too much time at work, you have to do something.

Let’s do this… In the next week, I want you to consider the “do you” questions above. If one of those fits you, then use that one. If you have a “do I” question that fits better, use it.

I want you to respond “yes” to that question and then I want you to take action to lessen your burden.

✅ If you need to sleep more, allow yourself 20 more minutes of sleep. It’s just 20 minutes…

✅ If you make a mistake, forget a detail, arrive late to a meeting, admit it to yourself. No judgment. Just say, “yep. That was a mistake.”

✅ If you have an urge to check your email, try to let the urge subside without giving in to it.

🥤 And for God’s sake, if you’re thirsty, take a drink of water.

Ready to find your fire again?

I help my clients overcome burnout so they can find their professional hope again. I can support you in your personal endeavor toward fulfillment.

Grab my free 5-Step guide to overcoming burnout HERE.

I look forward to talking to you.

Float Image

Subscribe to the Burned-Out Blog

Float Image
Float Image

* indicates required
Your best email address - CHECK SPAM!
Float Image
Float Image
About The Author
Dr. Richard Mitchell

Dr. Richard Mitchell is a burnout coach for high achieving professionals. His coaching program, "Burnout to Fulfillment," helps clients go from burned out to fired up in work and in life. Go to BurnoutToFulfillment.com to find out more.

Float Image
Float Image

Leave a Comment 👋

1 Comments
Dakota

Right on! It’s natural to drink if you’re thirsty, yet it’s also natural to delay that drink, or talk yourself out if it! Burnout begins from within. If it’s “fed”, then it grows stronger…sadly not the strength to persevere, rather a stubborn weed with deeply embedded roots! In my experience, I look back that my drive to balance work & family was unhealthy! I didn’t stop to listen to my inner voice as much as I should have, nor did I allow myself to feel human when making mistakes. I kept absorbing every negative until I saw the face of self neglect in the mirror. How can I care for anything/anyone, if I’m not first caring for myself? I realized self care wasn’t selfish or weak ,rather necessary for existence! A person can only go onward & upward! Getting stuck in the past, or perpetuating bad habits is unnecessary abuse. Cheers to starting change!!!

Post Thumbnail
The Power of Intention

This blog is a VIDEO! 👉 Intentional thoughts lead to intentional actions. That's the only way to be successful. 👍 Well, I guess that's not totally true. Without thinking intentionally you might happen upon success. 🤷‍♂️ Intentional thinking ⚡ supercharges ⚡ your actions so you get the EXACT results you want QUICKER! What could be better??? Here are three ways to act intentionally if you’re mind is starting to wander toward a new era in your career: Once you have established yourself in your new career or position, things might start to settle in and you might feel more capable of balance in your life. You might feel like you can commit your time and energy to your family and friends in addition to your work. It’s freeing because you can work with the anticipation. I’ve been anticipating this since my daughter was a baby. Driving, along with college, grad school, family, grandkids. All of it.

Read More...
Post Thumbnail
Ready for a Career Upgrade?

Looking at a career move can be a truly enlightening experience. And making a move can (and should) be enjoyable and fulfilling. Here are three ways to act intentionally if you’re mind is starting to wander toward a new era in your career: Once you have established yourself in your new career or position, things might start to settle in and you might feel more capable of balance in your life. You might feel like you can commit your time and energy to your family and friends in addition to your work. It’s freeing because you can work with the anticipation. I’ve been anticipating this since my daughter was a baby. Driving, along with college, grad school, family, grandkids. All of it.

Read More...
Post Thumbnail
How to Achieve a Healthy Work/Life Balance

When you’re just starting out in a new career, you will probably prioritize work because you want to learn the job, make a good impression with your new colleagues and leaders, and set yourself up for success in the future. Once you have established yourself in your new career or position, things might start to settle in and you might feel more capable of balance in your life. You might feel like you can commit your time and energy to your family and friends in addition to your work. It’s freeing because you can work with the anticipation. I’ve been anticipating this since my daughter was a baby. Driving, along with college, grad school, family, grandkids. All of it.

Read More...
Image

© Copyright ELK Endeavors, LLC.

All Rights Reserved

Privacy Policy

  • About
  • Blog
  • Contact