Hitting the Wall


FIRED UP

This issue is brought to you by FIRED UP.

Okay, it’s not actually sponsored, my friends.

FIRED UP is a new livestream show with my friend Steve Adcock, which will be streaming on Wednesday nights at 6:30PM on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Join Steve and I to talk about:

  • Financial Independence
  • Wealth Generation
  • FI Hot Takes
  • Bad Takes

Leave me a note if there’s anything you want us to talk about on the show or have a conversation about.

You can listen to a recording of this week’s show here.

Hitting the Wall

It happens, Guiders, it happens.

When you’re attempting to operate at a high level across a number of areas, odds are, you may hit the wall.

An image that makes me laugh, while exhausted, is a picture my friends Peter and Rob painted for me a few years ago.

They told me I reminded them of a train barreling down a track with a single-minded purpose. But, the train doesn’t realize it’s heading directly for a heavily reinforced BRICK WALL…And, it doesn’t end well.

They weren’t wrong.

Shortly after that, I hit the wall.

Fortunately, when you’ve hit the wall before, you learn how to bounce back.

But, as you get older, it takes longer and longer to bounce back and sometimes you’ll feel like you won’t bounce back at all.

Bouncing Back

When you’re young, a bounce back can be as simple as:

  • A day off
  • A weekend of rest
  • Taking a one week vacation
  • Taking it easy for one or two weeks

The older you get, the more it takes to bounce back, but before you can be proactive, you need to be aware.

Awareness

The first step is the same for any problem.

You need to be aware that there’s a problem.

When you feel yourself running full out and the gas tank is starting to empty, be aware of it.

When you’re aware, you can take steps to change it and here’s how:

Stop

Stop.

Take a step back.

Understand the driver of your burnout.

What are you doing that’s causing you to hit the wall.

Take a break, and you’ll often realize you don’t need to be going all out.

The 3 Ds

When you start to examine what’s contributing to the pain, you can start to prioritize (1) what matters, (2) what needs to get done and (3) you can apply the 3 Ds:

  • Defer
  • Delete
  • Delegate

When it comes to the delegation, try not to delegate to yourself.

I want you to defer and delete as much as you can and focus on the priorities that will move you forward in life.

Set Boundaries

No, seriously.

You’re hitting the wall because you didn’t set boundaries.

One of the first things you need to do when you’re hitting the wall is to set boundaries with your:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Colleagues

When you go through the 3Ds and start to prioritize, you need to shut down anything that doesn’t commit to those priorities.

Learn to Say No

Boundaries are one thing.

Learning to say NO is another.

The realization that NO without an explanation is a perfectly acceptable answer is a game changer in life.

If there’s something that isn’t aligned with your priorities and you know it will contribute to your burnout, the answer I want you to give is NO and I don’t want you to worry about saying it.

Self-Care Techniques

Recovering from burnout can be tough and hopefully, you catch it before you get there, but if you don’t, here are six simple steps to help you bounce back:

  1. Hobbies: Reconnect with activities you enjoy
  2. Rest: Get plenty of sleep. Your body and mind need it
  3. Exercise: Get moving! Even a short walk can boost your mood and energy
  4. Mindfulness: Try meditation or yoga – they can help you stay present and reduce stress
  5. Unplug: Take a break from screens, including smartphones and computers. It’ll help clear your mind
  6. Breathe: Practice deep breathing exercises. Inhale slowly, hold for a few seconds, and then exhale slowly. It’s calming

Talk to Someone

Above all, realize you aren’t alone.

There are plenty of people who are going through what you are.

There are plenty of folks who’ve been where you are in this moment right now.

Share your feelings with your:

  • Family
  • Friends
  • Therapist

Let them know where you’re at.

Let them know what you need from them.

Work with them to get you back on track, Team.

TGG Podcast

This week on the Growth Guide Podcast, we talked to Mike Rucker, an organizational psychologist, behavioral scientist and author of the best selling book, The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Finding joy
  • Reclaiming your time
  • Living life on your terms

In The Fun Habit, Mike talks about how fun is beneficial to our physical and psychological well-being.

Listen to hear more about:

  • The importance of taking breaks
  • Why time is more valuable than money
  • Cultivating a sense of joy in each moment
  • Focusing on goals that bring you joy and fulfillment
  • How lack of autonomy can lead to burnout and unhappiness

A Thought

I used to try to keep running through the wall when I was approaching burnout.

It took 35+ years and a physical and mental health shutdown before I learned to prioritize my mental and physical health.

If I’d figured this out sooner, I’d be further ahead in life with less stress and efforts.

A Question

When was the last time you hit the wall?

Are you on the path to hitting the wall today?

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