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Changing Pace — and Place — to Avert Burnout

When you hear yourself saying "I have no time for vacation," it means you desperately need one. Here's my recipe for a getaway with benefits that outweigh the costs.

Written Jun 16, 2009, read 2525 times since then.

There's no businessperson who doesn't run the risk of burnout. There are simply too many challenges coming at us, from day-to-day business demands and from our own entrepreneurial ambitions, for us to maintain complete control. As a rule, we thrive in this kind of environment. But there are times when it all becomes too much. And, because we’re so used to taking on big challenges and dealing with them, we often don’t recognize burnout into we’re well into it.

It can make a huge difference to our careers if we can learn to recognize the symptoms of burnout and then take steps to put out the fire, fast.

In my case, the telltale symptom is the inability to make a decision. As a rule, I’m usually able to move things quickly off my plate and go on to the next item. But if burnout is creeping up on me, I find myself lettings things stew and simmer. I avoid making decisions, or find myself revisiting ones I’ve already made. The little things somehow become overwhelming.

If that goes on too long, not only am I frustrated, but my employees may start spinning their wheels as well. (Yes, symptoms of burnout can be contagious and spread quickly throughout an organization.)

Go away. Just go away!

I have a favorite cure when I feel burnout coming on. Here are the three key ingredients:

1. Time. You need time away from it all — the minimum of a long weekend. A night out at the movies is not going to do the job, particularly if you have to be up early the next morning to prepare for an important meeting.

2. Distance. It's important to get far away, geographically and mentally. I like to go someplace warm and sunny — though that may be because I work in Seattle. Someone in Florida may decide it's time to go hiking in the Rockies or for a theater weekend in Manhattan.

3. Freedom. Avoid anything that reminds you of work. Don't give in to the temptation to take work along with you on vacation. Or to go to a business conference or out-of-town client meeting in an exotic location and call that a “vacation.” If you’re on stage, planning and dealing, it’s not the R&R you need. It’s just temptation, disguised in a Hawaiian shirt, toting golf clubs, and luring you down the fairway to burnout.

One reason why the “go away” solution works well is that it addresses the biological explanation for burnout: If we put ourselves repeatedly in stressful situations, and our bodies are called upon to produce adrenaline too frequently, the adrenal system that provides us with bursts of energy can simply tire out. The next time we call on it for some adrenaline, it fails to respond — leaving us tired and unable to produce our accustomed level of performance.

Simply changing your surroundings and the pace of your life can do wonders. Within 48 hours, you’ll feel as if you took the blinders off. Problems that nagged at you for weeks now appear in a perspective that shows them to be solvable.

“No time for vacation” means you need a vacation

The paradox is the when the work situation is so overwhelming that you think you don’t dare leave, that’s probably exactly when you most need to get away. To nip burnout in the early stages, you really do need to drop everything, and put some real distance between you and the work environment. I either tell people in advance that I’ll be out of touch for a few days, or put a partner or assistant in charge of fielding all my calls, messages, and emails.

Sure, a few glitches may result from my absence. But when I return from vacation, my refreshed self finds those minor issues — and the big ones, as well — surprisingly easy to handle. Miraculously, the answers are all there.

Learn more about the author, Christopher Rugh.

Posted by Sonia Connolly, Portland, Oregon | Jun 17, 2009

Thanks for a clear call for self-care! It felt relaxing just to hear how important vacations are. Fortunately I have one scheduled starting next week.

Sonia Connolly
Sundown Healing Arts
http://www.TraumaHealed.com
Posted by Karen Floyd, Seattle, Washington | Jun 17, 2009

Right on Christopher. I'm reminded of the story of the two men who were in competition to chop down a tree in record time. The one that stopped to sharpen his axe in the process won!

Karen Floyd Innate Design www.DesignABetterLife.com
Posted by Deidre Rienzo, Tappan, New York | Jun 17, 2009

Well done, and I can't agree more. Maybe there are some people out there who never need a break (I feel like I know a few) but I sure do! It's the only way to stay motivated and keep my head clear. And you're right... if you're going away on a vacation and checking blackberry/email constantly, it's NOT a vacation. I think one of the hardest things about self-employment was to learn that you CAN and SHOULD switch on your out of office and take a break. Thanks, Christopher, for a great article.
Posted by Pamela Ziemann, Bellevue, Washington | Jun 17, 2009

Thanks Christopher. I like how you indicated the need to take time off when we have a hard time making a decision.

Road trips really are amazing for clearing the mind and getting refreshed.
Posted by Joe Townsend, Redmond, Washington | Jun 17, 2009

You made the Biznik Facebook post. Good ideas on proactive recognition of burnout, then taking action.
Posted by Frank Gonzales, Austin, Texas | Jun 17, 2009

Very good post Christopher. Scientific studies show that men and women taking time off were less likely to die from coronary heart disease. Those sobering stats join a body of research revealing that going on vacation has restorative effects like decreased stress and job burnout. hearld-dispatch.com 7/6/2004 Research suggests that reducing stress and taking regular vacations-once or twice a year-may be as vital to your emotional and physical well-being as exercise or a healthful diet. And the benefits don't stop there. Vacations seem to have a positive impact on families and organizations as well. - RealAge Inc., peer-reviewed by Dr. Axel Goetz, June 2006 http://funvibes.worldventures.biz/
Posted by Jessie Wolfrum, Everett, Washington | Jun 17, 2009

After attending a few biznik events, I can honestly say that everyone looks burnt out! I know from experience that it is hard to drop what you love to do and separate yourself from your work. Just like you mentioned, Christopher, we are so much more productive when we actually take time off! You are right on the money!

~Jessie Wolfrum, LMP
Posted by Joseph Dillon, Princeton, New Jersey | Jun 18, 2009

This is hilarious as I was just talking to my wife at dinner last night and I said I am exhausted so she suggested we go away THIS weekend (like tomorrow) so away we go to Washington DC despite my feeling like I can't make the time. I am hoping Chris is right because next week is shaping up to be a busy one and I can use a reboot to my adrenaline system.
Posted by Christopher Rugh, Seattle, Washington | Jun 18, 2009

I hope your all reading this from your laptop on a beach somewhere ;-)

christopher rugh www.customtollfree.com
Posted by Christopher Rugh, Seattle, Washington | Jun 18, 2009

I hope your all reading this from your laptop on a beach somewhere ;-)

christopher rugh www.customtollfree.com
Posted by Christopher Rugh, Seattle, Washington | Jun 18, 2009

I hope your all reading this from your laptop on a beach somewhere ;-)

christopher rugh www.customtollfree.com
Posted by Trisha Hadley, Midland, Michigan | Jun 18, 2009

Enjoyed your article Christopher, thanx. You just verified what I've been dealing with all week, (the inability to focus and make decisions)! I've scheduled some time off next week as a result. I'm going to assume that one of the drinks in your pic is a Long Island too. :) Trish Hadley http://www.bluefiremultimedia.com/
Posted by Jacqueline Ross, San Diego, California | Jun 18, 2009

Great article! I recognize many of those symptoms in myself but have simply been dismissing them as collateral damage from the overall economic strife. No wonder I've had this overwhelming desire to just sequester myself away somewhere, anywhere! What you say makes sense - we all seem to have this feeling that the world just won't be able to get along without us...