Avoiding Burnout When You’ve Had Enough

No matter how passionate you are about your job, there’s no doubt that you wake up some nights and wonder how you’re going to get up and do it again tomorrow. If you’re out of breath, it’s no wonder. Ever since the economy slowed, we’ve all been going full speed ahead. But, a successful life is a marathon, not a 100-yard dash. And we must pace ourselves to win.

Commit to Evolution

From Jennifer Lopez to Disney, powerful brands evolve. They don’t lose the essence of who they are; they just build upon what makes them special. They branch out and reach out, stay current and in touch with themselves and those they need to influence most. Here’s how:

STEP 1: Discover the Relevance in What You’re Doing


Dig deep to make sure that the path you’ve chosen is the right one. Look for signposts along the way. Ask friends and co-workers who can serve as a mini focus group where they’d go in your shoes. Breathe in what they say and see if their ideas give you life. Meditate on your dream and see the end game in your mind’s eye, in every detail.

STEP 2: Bring a New Vision into Focus


Without judgment, take what you learned about yourself and begin to explore the possibilities. If you want to move into a new department, figure out how to connect with the right decision maker. If you want to move up, volunteer for projects that fall under that job description. Take classes that will prepare you, hire a coach to motivate you and play with the possibilities.

STEP 3: Capitalize on Your Personal Power


From American Express to MTV, every great brand eventually becomes a positive pro-social force and cause for change. Make it a priority to extend yourself into the community through non-profit initiatives that align with what you personally care about. You’ll find that by making a difference, your trust factor will soar and so will your career.

STEP 4: Plug in and Stay Fresh


Staying fresh is the key to beating ageism and that aching feeling of being out of touch. Reading good books, poring through magazines, visiting museums, seeing movies, attending seminars and workshops will keep you young at heart and energized with new perspectives.

STEP 5: Practice Gratitude and Grace


When you are on your chosen path, the one that resonates with your soul and your mission, you will have successfully elevated your personal brand. Eliminate burnout by nurturing yourself. Madonna does it with yoga. Oprah does it with prayers of gratitude. It doesn’t matter how you get to that higher place-just get there. It will help you manifest all you want with greater ease.

Stay Passionate and Feeling Alive

Evolving your brand is not a selfish thing; it’s why you’re here. As someone who has been given so much and has so much to give, you need to take the first step with focused discipline.

A friend once said to me that when people get older, they become “more of….” I said, “More of what?” He said each person chooses how to fill in the blank. I choose “an inspiration.” Now, you fill in the blank and watch it lead you to the work you love.

Robin Fisher Roffer is a leading brand strategist and reinvention specialist. Founder and CEO of Big Fish Marketing, she is the author of Make A Name For Yourself: 8 Steps Every Woman Needs To Create A Personal Brand Strategy For Success, The Fearless Fish Out Of Water: How To Succeed When You’re The Only One Like You, and Reinventing Yourself: 10 Steps To Shifting Your Career Into High Gear. Learn about her Reinvent Yourself! Workshops at http://relevanceinstitute.com/

Robin Fisher Roffer