7 Ways to Spot Burnout and Kick It to the Curb

Think of all the excellent leaders you’ve watched and admired — the people who might have preceded you in Finance or the C-Suite. They were high achievers.

Just like you are.

But high achievers are often so passionate about their jobs they don’t realize how hard they’re working or the excessiveness of the load they’ve chosen to carry. They just want to succeed.

Which makes you (and them) prime candidates for burnout.

Denying Burnout

Now, we know you finance pros. You’re probably thinking: But, I’m not burned out. I’m just a little stretched and stressed.

But guess what? “Stressed out” and “burned out” are just a few degrees apart.

Burnout sneaks up slowly over time, disguising itself as a few extra hours, one more project, a step back with two steps forward. It creeps in while you’re dealing with a busy and hectic work life, and sucks your energy.

So it’s time to make sure stress doesn’t get the best of you!

7 Signs You May Be Burned Out

Here are 7 signs you may be suffering from burnout. Watch for these signs in your employees, too, as you want to help them overcome burnout before it affects your finance department.

1. Change in Daily Mood

If you’re typically a pretty happy person, but notice over time your mood has dimmed and you’ve become more cynical, you could be on the road to burnout.

Same goes for employees. If their demeanor turns on a dime, something is off.

2. You’re Tired. All. The. Time.

Do you constantly feel exhausted and drained? Are you having trouble sleeping at night because your brain won’t turn off? Do you wake up each day feeling like you aren’t rested?

Keep check of sleep patterns.

3. You’re Sick and Tired

Have you always been a pretty healthy person, but lately find yourself held down with one illness after another?

Burnout can take a toll on you physically and mentally. Your doctor can help you find out if stress is a factor in any recent bad health.

4. You Make Mistakes More Than Usual

Do you find yourself making silly, little mistakes or forgetting things often? Do you have more trouble than usual staying focused?

If so, burnout could be the cause.

5. Do You Doubt Yourself?

If you’re normally a very decisive person — and seriously, finance pros like you are decisive people — and lately you’ve second guessed yourself more, guess what.

It’s likely a huge sign of burnout. You’ve reached your decision-making threshold.

6. You Want to Sail off to the Caribbean

It’s normal to want to get away every now and then. That’s what vacation is for.

Problem is, many finance pros don’t fully disengage when they actually take the vacation. So if you find yourself dreaming of throwing in the towel, never to return to your everyday work life, it’s likely burnout.

7. Nothing’s Ever Good Enough

If you used to be happy with your work — and the work of your employees — but now you’re overly critical of everything you do, you’re experiencing burnout.

Yes, these feelings are a bit extreme. But if you have the slightest inkling of them, it’s a good idea to stop and take a look at why before they spiral out of control.

7 Steps to Prevent Burnout

Now the good part. We have seven steps you can take to avoid burnout (or pass along to your employees who are on the verge):

Step 1: Take Breaks

If you’re like most overachievers, you get to work as early as possible — whether it’s remotely or in the office — jump right in and work straight through the day … and possibly the night. That can be a mistake.

The right thing to do is take regular breaks — it’s suggested to do it every 90 minutes. Get up and stretch your legs. Give your mind and body time to recover. Then you can return to your office refreshed and renewed.

Step 2: Set Limits

This translates to leave work at work! Don’t take it home if at all possible. Or, if you work from home, don’t take it outside of your office space. Create a physical barrier, if you must.

Enjoy time with family and friends, tinker with a hobby, watch a movie or favorite TV show or exercise. Do anything but work at some point every day.

Step 3: Learn to Say ‘No’

Overachievers like to do everything themselves. They never tell anyone “no.” But that’s a great way to burn yourself out.

Learn to say “no” and delegate to others. This way you share the load and reduce the stress.

After all, how are your employees going to learn and grow if you don’t give them more responsibility?

Step 4: Set Realistic Goals

Before you start work, make a list of the things you need to get done. Then create a realistic timeline, and budget in breaks.

Have too much to do? See Step 3 and stick to a realistic eight-hour workday.

Step 5: Be Good to Yourself

Do some kind of exercise every day, eat well and get a good night’s sleep. (We know it’s easier said than done, but we’d be remiss to not say it.)

This allows you to be the best version of yourself, and the best finance boss you can be.

If you neglect yourself, not only will you suffer physically and mentally (as we noted above), but so will your staff.

Step 6: Walk Away from Technology

If you’re constantly plugged in, then you give stress the opportunity to creep into your day.

When you get done at the end of the day, turn off your work-related apps and email, and enjoy some peace and quiet. Listen to your favorite music or meet some friends for dinner.

You can even turn off at work – to a degree – by implementing rules like only answer email two times a day … instead of every time you get a new message.

Step 7: Laugh

Ever heard of the saying, “Laughter is the best medicine”?

It’s true!

Laughter decreases stress hormones, increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, and triggers endorphins!

So have a good laugh every day to keep stress and burnout away.