3 Surprising Benefits of Burning Out

3 Surprising Benefits of Burning Out 3 Surprising Benefits of Burning OutIf your hard work has resulted in career burnout, take some time to rest and recoup, and then learn from your experience. TWEETBuilding a career in the modern workplace can feel a lot like walking the tightrope it takes focus, risk, determination, and grace but one misstep can lead to a gigantic fall.Todays workforce is working more than ever and taking on more than ever, all in the spirit of being successful. From extracurricular activities for our kids, to continuing our education part time, to networking and volunteering, were in non-stop hustle mode. And, social media. Enough said.Many of us are chasing ideals of success that just dont add up. Not because theyre impossible, but because theyre not our ideals theyre someone elses. Were subscribing to societys view of what we should do and in actuality, were not happy about it. In fact, its the number one deathbed regret following someone elses dream.In 2013 I had the e-brake pulled on my life. After years of overworking myself and chasing success I ended up in the emergency room, hunched over in pain. One biopsy, two CT scans, and a spinal tap later I welches discharged and told to do nothing for three months.I was at a breaking point. This was my second major illness in less than three years and I couldnt just shrug it off as bad luck. Something had to give.Ive worked for as long as I remember. By the time I landed in the ER for the second time I had been working for 14 years steadily and I wasnt near 30.I had accomplished a lot for a less than thirty year old. Achievements that in retrospect mean less but in the moment I was glaringly proud of all the things I had or had done. I owned a home. I was a manager. I had a solid resume - and in fact, six months prior had landed my dream job.What I didnt realize then was that I was addicted to the busyness. I was hooked on hard work, which I thought was good work. I was exercising excessivel y. I was going to school. I was networking, mentoring, working, and maintaining a social life, too. I always had to be doing something anything. I was high strung, anxious, and stressed out and I didnt even know it.After nearly a year of recuperating and mandated nothingness, I woke up. I stopped it all. I stopped doingeverything and anything that wasnt giving me immense joy. And after awhile I discovered that this was the best thing to happen to me.Surprising things happen when you experience career burnout and slip off the tightrope that you clung to so fiercely1. You become an advocateWhen you go through an experience like career burnout and come out of it unscathed you emerge as an advocate. Having come through suffering, you become profoundly aware of all things related to wohlbefinden and youre not afraid to speak up. Being an advocate means you create the space people need to make wellness a priority, youre a confidant, and youre a helper.2. You become happierIts no secret gr atitude leads to mindfulness which leads to happiness. Experiencing a burnout makes you rethink everything and get clear on what really makes you happy. Getting into a practice of mindfulness and gratitude shifts your perspective deeply - and its not easily turned back3.You reach actualizationWhen you rethink everything your goals, desires, and motivations you cant help but reach some level of self-actualization. When you separate someone elses goals or societys definition of success and aim to define success on your own terms your real self can emerge and form actualization. It might not be a Ghandi level of spirituality or a definitive calling - but youll get closer to the ideal you and the real you and that is powerful.Taking time for yourself to practice mindfulness, gratitude, and creating stop doing lists are small ways you can avoid a career burn out yourself. But if it happens - dont fret. You can learn from it.Ready to find your dream job? Hire a TopResume writer todayRela ted Articles