Does your confidence need a boost? Try creating a confidence file.

Today’s world can bring different stressors and struggles, especially with instability in certain job sectors and with the rush of finishing projects before year’s end. With multiple demands on our bandwidth, and whether we are grappling with uncertainty or simply getting ready to go into an important meeting, your confidence could probably use a boost right about now. 

This is where the confidence file comes in. Even when your time is stretched thin, this is one item you definitely want to keep on your task list. This is a collection of anything that gives you a lift and reminds you why you are great at what you do. When you start to doubt yourself, having some data to help remind you of your abilities is a powerful technique.

Get your printable Confidence File Guide here

So how do you build this file? Literally start building a file on your computer or using an old school file..whatever works for you. Keep a file folder handy where you can stick notes and cards from people telling you when you’ve done a great job, or thanking you. This could be notes from a coworker or supervisor, or a positive email from a client. You can even write down quotes, affirmations, and reminders for yourself. If a physical file doesn’t work for you, keep a folder on your desktop, where you can easily access it right before a client call, interview, or conference–any time you need to psych yourself up and feel empowered. 

Taking a minute or two to look at positive messages and reminders of times when you’ve succeeded will make a huge difference in your confidence level and how you carry yourself. And when you carry yourself with confidence and assurance, others will definitely take note. Then you have more things to add to your confidence file! 

Want the free printable worksheet? Download it here.

How to Build Meaningful Workplace Relationships

It’s not what you know, it’s who you know. 

These are words that cause a deep level of dread in a lot of people, because they seem to suggest that there is no amount of intelligence or hard work that can give you a boost in your career. For decades, the trajectory of a person’s work life did seem to be at least partly determined by that looming and nebulous concept, networking, a word filled with the weight of ingratiating oneself to people who otherwise we wouldn’t be interested in at all, just for the sake of knowing the right person. 

It’s time to reframe the idea of networking. It’s time to reframe the idea of what who you know can do for you at work. In the dawning age of remote work, how does networking work for us? 

Traditional networking is associated with happy hours at local bars, team building activities, trivia nights, and of course company holiday parties. But as events become more virtual and as a lot of organisations move away from alcohol-centric gatherings, the nature of building connections at work is evolving. 

According to Jennifer Gniadecki of Non-Toxic Networking: From Poisonous to Popular, a huge key in virtual networking is simply having good manners. The crux of positive networking is truly based in building genuine connections with those you interact with. It means being personal rather than ingratiating, and building relationships for the sake of building relationships, rather than because knowing that person might get you somewhere. 

There are several good reasons to build personal relationships with your workmates. First, it makes work more fun–even in a remote environment, having something to talk about while waiting for the Zoom call to officially start will make those Zoom calls less onerous to attend. As a leader, being personable to your teammates will make it easier for them to come to you with questions, and a friendly working relationship makes collaboration easier and more effective. It provides better opportunities for mentoring and being mentored, which helps everyone advance their careers. It also helps morale and increases employee retention. It’s just all around good for everyone. 

So what are the key things to remember when building those connections? We’ll break it down, but it’s really pretty simple: worry less about furthering your career and more about enhancing the humanity of your workspace. 

1. Remember that other people are human beings. This can be difficult in a time where most of our communication happens through email and chat applications like Slack or Teams. But it’s important to take a moment to remind yourself that every computer you send an email to and every phone you leave a message on has a person connected to it on the other end–a person who has feelings and reactions to wording (or lack thereof) just like we do. So when you are writing a message or making a phone call, remember to pause, be polite and give people the benefit of the doubt.

2. Be honest. Whether you are participating in organised gatherings or simply getting to know the people you work with, be truthful and genuine (but also tactful! See No. 1.). The truth is, networking won’t take you very far if you aren’t genuinely interested in interacting with the people you are getting to know. 

3. Keep healthy boundaries. This might seem to contradict the advice to get to know people and build connections. But any relationship needs boundaries in which people feel safe and supported. Be real with your capacity and what you’re able to take on. If you’re in a management position, tread carefully with personal information. Remember that you want to be personable, but not overly personal. 

To recap: be human. It can be tempting to focus solely on upward mobility in a work culture that seems to prioritise ambition. But if you take the time and give yourself the space to truly focus on relationships rather than that idea of networking, you will reap rewards in this position and in whatever workplace comes next for you.

The Vital Importance of a Workplace Routine

Have you ever sat down at your desk and been completely paralyzed by the amount of tasks looming before you, with no idea where to begin or even how to organise your thoughts? If this scenario (and the accompanying hyperventilating) sounds familiar to you, congratulations! You are in the vast majority. According to the American Institute of Stress, 94% of people feel stressed at work, and 39% said that a heavy workload was responsible. Even with a general workplace trend toward better work-life balance and more empathetic leadership practices, we are still pulled in a thousand different directions every day, which can be completely overwhelming. 

Never has it been more important to focus on our daily workplace routine–a daily structure system that we implement for ourselves that will provide a framework in which we can manage our time, our tasks, and our stress levels. We all probably have a morning routine at home–perhaps we drink coffee and browse social media before heading out the door for the day. Or work out and eat breakfast. Or hit the snooze button five times. Regardless of what the routine is, we all most likely have a series of actions and events that let us know we are starting a weekday. When we get to work, we might be immediately deluged with emails, calls, meetings, and requests, making it more challenging to participate in any ritual behavior that might help calm our anxiety. 

So how do we create a sustainable workplace routine? 

1. Focus on one thing at a time

In his book Deep Work, Cal Newport talks at length about the importance of being able to focus completely on one single task. Doing this, he posits, allows our neurons to fire in a different way and allows us to learn complex tasks more easily resulting in higher productivity and more successful outcomes. Recent research from The Harvard Business Review says that people spend the equivalent of four hours a week toggling between different apps at work, which leads to a frazzling level of distraction. Instead, practice giving one task, small or large, your full attention until it is complete. Take note of the way your brain engages with the task you are working on and how you are able to move through your to-do list with more efficiency and less stress. 

2. Take time to ground yourself

We talked about how you might have a morning routine at home–a way to wake yourself up and get yourself started for the day. The same thing is needed at work. When you start your workday, give yourself a moment to put yourself in “work mode”, whether it is sorting emails, making a task list for the day, checking your calendar, or simply sipping a cup of coffee for a moment before turning on your computer. Starting your day the same way every day will give you time to orient yourself and put yourself in a working headspace and will give you a clear picture of how you want your day to go. Even if you “have a hundred things to do” right away, make sure you give yourself this space to ground yourself and prepare yourself for the day ahead. Having this small organisational moment will set you up for success. 

3. Still make a task list

And put things on it that are of varying levels of complexity. Having an outline, list, or map of your to-dos will help you get a picture of what needs to be accomplished day to day–and gives you the opportunity to prioritise. Take some time building your task list and try to be realistic about what you have the bandwidth for that day. What absolutely must  happen before lunch? Before you stop for the day? Before the team meeting? Organize your day in a way that allows you to complete high-priority tasks and avoid getting bogged down in necessary but less urgent things. And if you need to, go ahead and put “fill water bottle” or “pour coffee” on the list and give yourself something to check off right away! 

4. Customise for what works best for you

Remember that task list? It doesn’t have to be a list. That system of prioritisation? Make it your own. Color code your tasks if that works for your, or create a hierarchy matrix that will let you sort tasks by urgency. Write in on paper, or in a planner, or keep it on your computer–whatever will help you sort the information best. When creating a routine at work, it is vital that it works for your personal needs, otherwise you won’t stick to it. It is hard to practice a new tool if the tool doesn’t fit your personality or workspace. You may have different levels of attention and productivity throughout the day and your routine should give you space to adjust depending on your bandwidth. Need a walk to reset after lunch and prepare for the afternoon? Take it! That’s a great time to reassess. Make your routine your own so that you can make it work for you. 

The biggest thing you can takeaway from establishing a workplace routine is the chance to preserve your mental clarity and acuity while still performing your job at a top level. Whether you are a leader, a CEO, or a brand new team member, your ability to contribute to your workplace and productivity depend on your not suffering extreme, overwhelming stress because of your workload. Take the time to establish and maintain a good daily routine and you will find your workload manageable and more fulfilling! 

How to Cultivate a Growth Mindset and Become a Stronger Leader

Studies show that we have two main mindsets to operate from: a fixed mindset, or a growth mindset. A fixed mindset can be tempting, as it provides us with identifiable, and seemingly immutable traits–things we can point to as things we were “just born with”. But even those things we are inherently gifted with can be built on and improved. Cultivating a growth mindset is the single greatest tool we have to empower ourselves and achieve our goals, because without it, (and this may seem obvious) we aren’t growing. 

A growth mindset is optimistic, believing that anything is possible and that things can always change. When it comes to our work lives, the growth mindset is a true asset. Leaders with a strong executive presence regularly cultivate a growth mindset, which can take many forms. Making small efforts every day will have a big impact on your presence and performance at work. 

Some of the easiest ways you can cultivate a growth mindset are: 

1. Personal and professional development: Read books, journal, study up on what a growth mindset means and surround yourself with positive and affirming materials. Taking the time to read and journal will give you insight into yourself and what helps motivate you. This knowledge, and the affirmation of empowering words, will help you to translate this into an attitude of confidence and proactivity.  

2. Practice positive self-talk: This is something we have talked about before, and it bears repeating. The first person who can and should be lifting you up on a daily basis is you. This includes reminding yourself of your strengths and your passions, but it can also mean setting boundaries and feeling empowered to say no when you don’t have the bandwidth for something. Reminding yourself that it’s okay to delegate is a form of self-care and positivity that can have a real impact on your growth mindset.

3. Seek out opportunities to express bravery and courage: As you continue to nurture your growth mindset, challenge yourself with opportunities to practice courage. Maybe this means sharing an idea in a meeting that you might have been hesitant to go out on a limb for before. Maybe it means taking on team members when you’ve been working solo so far. Maybe it means pursuing a new position or path that you hadn’t previously thought you could achieve. Whether it’s a small action in the course of your day-to-day, or a total life shift, presenting yourself with the opportunity to be courageous will bolster your confidence and allow you to continue to grow–both mentally and materially. 

When you work on building your growth mindset, you will notice that you feel more confident–and other people will notice it too. You will find yourself accomplishing things that you might not have thought you would, and enjoying better balance and more manageable time. Take advantage of a growth mindset and start rewarding yourself with the greater courage and confidence that comes with it! 

The Art of Fearless Leadership

What is the thing you are most afraid of?

Likely the thing that first comes to mind is something like spiders, snakes, injections, flying, or heights--these are some of the most common phobias that people face. When phobias become severe, they can be debilitating, and so too can fears hold us back from achieving what we want in the workplace. 

Obviously we aren’t worried (as much) about snakes and spiders in the office. At work, people commonly fear things like not living up to the expectations of their colleagues and supervisors, being fired, and being buried in stress. 

In recent years job security and compounding stress have become the most prevalent workplace concerns, with advice everywhere about how to combat anxiety and how leaders in the workplace can mitigate the disastrous effects of chronic stress among their team members. 

“The essence of bravery is being without self-deception.” Pema Chodron said this in her book on fearlessness and it is as practical as it is profound.

Eliminating workplace fears really boils down to one simple concept: confronting that fear and reframing its presence. Ask yourself what you are most afraid of and more importantly, what could be possible if fear didn’t get in the way. Tackling the obstacles that are holding you back will allow you to not only create change in your own life, but to contribute to change in our workplace and the community around you—it’s good for everyone!

Follow these simple steps to name you fear and begin overcoming it: 

1.  Identify Your Fear: sit with yourself and give a name to the thing you are most afraid of when it comes to work. Are you worried about losing your job? About falling under the weight of all your responsibilities? Identifying the specific thing that is causing your fear will give you immediate power to overcome it. 

2. Cultivate a Healthy Mindset: How do you react when your fear rears its head? Begin practising small actions of calm and control when you feel your fear creeping in. Remind yourself that you are capable of reaching your goals and revisit previous accomplishments. 

3. Lead Through Fear and Vulnerability: Communicate your fears when necessary. Recognize shared fears and be honest about what’s worrying you. Teaming up to face your fears will empower you and your colleagues. 

It can be hard to face our fears, whether they come in the form of something slithery or as a deluge of urgent emails every Monday morning. By engaging our fears and calling them what they are, we can confront them honestly and begin to leave them behind, leaving room for personal growth and better leadership. 

Why Women Are Vital to a Healthy Workplace

As International Women’s Day approaches, I am reminded of the long history of women joining the workforce and the way that the presence of women has impacted workplaces everywhere. When we think of “women in the workplace” we might imagine a horde of Mad Men-style secretaries typing industriously and taking notes on steno pads, or we might think of power suits paired with sneakers in the Working Girl era of the eighties. International Women’s Day was started as a way to support the women of the garment unions when they went on strike in the early 1900s. 

The truth is that women did enjoy a great surge of work in the post-WWII world of the fifties and sixties, and since then women have been increasing their presence in offices and on teams steadily. But even sixty years later, there are still barriers to upward mobility and success for women in the professional world, despite women making up almost 50% of the workforce. 

A study conducted by The Center for Creative Leadership found that women in leadership roles created tangible benefits to office culture, including better job satisfaction and decreased burnout—for all employees, not just the women. Women were also linked to increased employee engagement and retention across organizations of all sizes and in all industries. Not only do women bring a different perspective but they change the dynamic of the workplace itself in a positive way. 

It might be easy to think that creating a woman-friendly space means simply stocking the company fridge with healthy snacks and handing out throw blankets, but fostering women leaders is more than a gender stereotype. Women want specific things from their workplaces, many of them the same things that their male counterparts want - the ability to make an impact, flexible hours for work-life balance, career pathways, promotions and leadership development opportunities. Leadership opportunities are one of the key ways for women to achieve the other aspects of a position that they most want, but some obstacles to women pursuing and succeeding in leadership roles can be a lack of leadership skills,  confidence or a lack of mentorship. 

According to Morgan Stanley Research from 2019, a more diverse workforce, as represented by women across all levels of the organization, was correlated with higher average returns. If you or your company want to do even better this year, now is the time to invest in your high potential women leaders. Creating pathways for upward mobility, project ownership and the opportunity to gain greater leadership skills are critical for success. Holding a workshop on courage and confidence can be a great way to foster your high potential leaders. So this International Women’s Day, take the time to celebrate both your own accomplishments and those of your women leaders.

5 Reasons To Celebrate Your Success

Celebration is an essential element of creating success. However, from what I’ve experienced it’s often forgotten and left on the shelf in pursuit of ticking off the next to-do item or moving straight onto the next project. Some view celebration as soft or slacking off – like we aren’t really doing anything. Nothing could be further from the truth. Celebration is a pivotal stage in the productivity process because it allows us to commemorate all the good that we do.

As kids we often get certifications that say 'congratulations' or 'well done'. But when was the last time you received a certificate that said ‘great job’. Has anyone even said those words to you recently? Sometimes, it’s easy to feel that our work goes unnoticed. We’re working alone or we’re the CEO of our company and there’s no one to give us feedback to praise our achievements.

What happens when we don’t celebrate our achievements? There is no reward. There is no recognition. The even bigger trap here though is not that others don’t recognise our achievements, but that we ourselves don’t. We expect ourselves to just keep going, slogging away at it as we strive for success. There is no warm, fuzzy feeling that inspires us to do more of the things we love. This lack or total absence of celebration translates in the impression or belief that we’re not yet worthy of acknowledging our own success or how far we’ve come.

Allowing ourselves to celebrate our achievements gives us the opportunity to be grateful for what we’ve been able to accomplish and recognize every small step. I’ve been keeping a gratitude journal for the past few years, a simple Evernote note and every time someone writes me an email or tells me what I’m doing is making a difference to them I put it in there. It’s made a huge difference to me in pausing, even for just a few seconds to reflect on what’s working and how far I’ve come.

Have I convinced you yet? If not, here are 5 good reasons to celebrate more often:

1. Celebration recognizes that you’re good enough and you’ve done enough – as an entrepreneur there is always more things to do. It’s important to pause often to recognize how far you’ve come even if you haven’t completed your biggest goal just yet.
2. Celebration helps you stay motivated and moving forward – if you never celebrate success life ends up feeling like an endless to-do list. While it seems counter intuitive to pause when you have so much to do, this time for reflection will keep you motivated and allow you to create sustainable success.
3. Celebration builds self-respect – we can show ourselves that we’ve done enough and are worthy of celebrating. Others treat us according to how we treat ourselves so it’s critical we are good to ourselves and treat ourselves with respect.
4. Celebration feeds our basic human need for self-acceptance and love – celebration is emotional nourishment, a reprieve from the harsh environment where we don’t often acknowledge and praise ourselves for all we do.
5. Celebration shifts our focus to the positive – rather than focusing on what we haven’t done, shifting our focus to what we have done magnifies our self-belief. As Oprah says – “The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.”

What do you think? Are you celebrating enough? What have you accomplished recently that is reason to celebrate? How could you celebrate that would feel really good to you?

5 Ways To Switch Off Work Mode

Do you ever really switch off from work? 

I realized a few months ago that I was so focused my business that I was seemingly unable to get my mind off work. Then a client of mine asked me the same question - “how can I switch off from business mode?” So I started to dig a little deeper. I noticed that we had both fallen into the ‘always on’ trap and the fear cycle that comes with it.

So why do we feel compelled to stay in work mode? The answer is simple: fear. We’re scared that if we let go and ‘turn off’, something terrible will happen. Well, at least that’s been my experience. I like to compare this feeling to a rat on a wheel that keeps on running, stuck in a cycle. That’s what can happen when we are always thinking about work and don’t switch off. We just keep running. But just like that rat, we will eventually get tired and sick from all the spinning. In the same way that if we never take a break, work becomes more and more of a burden. We will start to resent it and lose the passion we once had for it. There is a perceived level of safety and security in staying on the wheel and for us, it means working long hours and staying in work mode. It makes us feel like we’re always doing something, we’re ‘busy’ but that doesn't always mean productive and effective. If we keep pushing ourselves, fatigue and burnout will take the best of us and we may be unable to keep going. The crazy part if you are an entrepreneur is that you probably chose to do the work you’re doing because you like it. If you’re a leader in a company, you probably got into your role because you desired the success from pursuing your career that industry. 

It can be counter-intuitive to turn off from work when you have so much to do. However, I’ve found that the times I have managed to do so have always turned into the most creative, innovative opportunities and have pushed my business forward in incredible ways. 

At some point you will have to take a break. By proactively switching off from business and making it a part of your life, your work will be sustainable, you will stay motivated and creative and most likely happier because you won’t be so exhausted all the time. 

I’d like to share a few secrets I use to switch off from business, even if you feel like you don’t have time and have a thousand responsibilities. 

1. Block out time before or after work in your calendar for non-work related activities.

Make time for your morning routine, to write, perhaps go to a yoga class or go for a run. I’ve found that it’s even more effective if you can book into something like a class so there’s an extra level of commitment.

Use this time to connect with yourself and think of the bigger picture. The current work you’re doing is a part of your journey but doesn’t define you so make sure it’s not the only thing that you do.

2. Turn off notifications on your devices

A pretty obvious one but very effective. Turn off all the notifications on your phone from Facebook, email, Instagram, WhatsApp or whichever ones are going to stress you out and make you think about work. 

One of my clients now turns her phone off at 2pm when she leaves to pick up her children from school. Her business is flourishing and she’s completely booked for the rest of the year. She’s now 100% present for her kids of 100% present for her work time. Amazing! Perhaps you could try something similar?

For me, I turn off all notifications on my phone that stress me out so I can be present and in the moment, whether at work or at home. It’s made a big difference.

3. Tech free weekend day

If you’re someone that finds it hard to take a break from technology you might like to try a tech free day once a week. Many religions make a ‘day of rest’ as an integral part of their week. I believe that even if you’re not religious, you can make your own day of rest and take a real break during that time to re-charge. 

There is a whole world out there to explore - use your weekends to take trips, go hiking, read a book (a real one made of paper!), see friends and family or do something creative. I’ve found that the weekends that I really do switch off from work, make the following week much more creative, focused and enjoyable. 

4. Mindset shift

A mindset shift is required here to believe that taking a break will be beneficial rather than unnecessarily distracting. This is a HUGE one for most people, myself and many of my clients included. I am a more effective leader if I make time to rest and recharge. For me, I know this is true but it can still be challenging to remember it all the time. If I’m struggling to believe that switching off will actually help, I make a quick mental list of the all the times I have done it that led to amazing results. In fact, I had the idea for my previous tech company while in the middle of the desert!

A good question to ask yourself is "What do I need to believe to allow me to switch off from work?"

5. Book a vacation

Changing your environment helps you switch off from business extremely fast. I’ve found it to be the most effective method for switching off from business and taking a real break. A three day weekend is still effective even if you can’t take a long vacation right now. 

When you take time to switch off you give others permission to do the same. 

Next time you're feeling overwhelmed, try one of these ideas and see if it helps you switch off from work mode.

How to conquer the fear of failure – 3 simple strategies

Whether it’s the constant pressure to succeed professionally, keep a balanced life, or seek perfection, the fear of failure is something we all experience. We live in a culture that is heavily driven by the over-achievement mindset, which makes us doubt our dreams and aspirations. Fear of failure prevents many of us from even giving our dream a chance. When we do trust ourselves enough to go for it, we tend to overachieve and end up burning our wings. It is critical to unlearn our old ways and implement new routines to work smarter and not harder.

Here are 3 proven strategies to overcome your fear of failure:

1. Reframe your fear of failure

Every time you fail you are learning new information that propels you forward. Reframing your goals to include your learning as well as success is critical to having the courage to take your dreams seriously. Remember that any great success comes with its fair share of failures. Every time you fail, recognize that you’ve learned something important and you’re on the path to success. 

Action step – Redefine what success means to you. You might reframe your success like Maya Angelou did as ‘Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.’ Redefining your goal by how much you'll learn instead of the achievement only takes the stress out of the task and reduces the fear of failure.

2. Tame your inner woolly mammoth

Fearing failure is often worse than actually failing. The failure we worry about is not life threatening, but our body responds with stress, anxiety and overreacts. 

Action step - When you feel stressed and afraid to fail, one way to confront your failure head-on is to ask ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’ See what arises. You might find that the worst is not all that bad after all.

Don’t forget to also wonder “How incredible could it be?” You’ll find your mind and heart expanding to fill the space that is created with this simple question. 

3. Trust yourself

We often second guess ourselves when we fear failure, thinking that someone will know better than we do. This is not necessarily true, so practice trusting your intuition and listening to your gut. 

According to UC Berkeley professor Martin Covington, the fear of failure is linked to your self-worth which is why it’s so critical to address. He found that people put themselves through a lot of heartache to avoid failure and maintain the sense that they are worthwhile. I’ve found it’s important to remember that I’m already worthy just as I am. It saves a lot of time wasted on procrastination and not feeling good enough. Instead of putting yourself immense amounts of pain, try trusting yourself instead. 

Action step - Next time the fear creeps in and you find yourself doubting your abilities, tell yourself “I allow myself to know best”. 

At the same time as trusting yourself, remember that you don’t have to go it alone. Reach out when you need it. By asking for help you are giving others the permission and courage to do the same.  

Fear of failure teaches us about ourselves, moves us to understand what drives us and ultimately allows us to realize we are ok just as we are. Confronting our fears gives us the courage to keep reaching for even greater heights. What’s something that you’ve been putting of because of fear? What do you need to believe to make it happen? Write your answers in the comments below.

5 Strategies to Beat Burnout

Are you mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted? Are you stressed by your responsibilities at work or at home to the point that you can’t seem to move forward? It’s time to act before burnout gets the best of you.

Although it can affect anyone in the workplace, I’ve found that leaders and entrepreneurs like you and me have distinct personality traits that can contribute to burnout. Such traits include perfectionism, the urge to control everything, reluctance to delegate to others, and a high-achieving, Type A personality.

As a result, many of us, including myself, have been burnt out in the past or are constantly on the verge of that dangerous state. Many of the strategies I now personally use and provide to clients are based on my experience:

1. Redefine what “Success” means to you. The first thing you can do to avoid burnout is to stop being obsessed with perfection and ask yourself: 

   • What do I really care about?

   • How can I live my life with minimal regrets?

   • What makes my life and my work meaningful? 

   • Is my work currently in line with my values?

2. Learn How To Say “No”. Define what are the most important tasks to your success. We know that 20% of our work creates 80% of the results. So focus on the top 20% of activities that are critical to your success. Cut out anything unimportant or unnecessary. Every ‘yes’ adds more to your plate and takes energy from you.

3. Embrace a morning ritual. Start your day in a positive, grounded way. Strategies I use for myself and my clients. I always feel better when I start the day this way:

   • Set your intention for the day using the 5-minute journal

   • Clear your mind by journaling – try Julia Cameron’s “The Artists Way” to get started

   • Make exercise apart of your morning routine. Even 15 minutes can put you in a good headspace for the day. 

4. Make downtime a daily ritual. Take time out everyday to reconnect with yourself and the world.

   • If you have time, get out into nature or the local park. Even a 5-minute walk around the block can help you get out of your own head and reconnect with yourself and the world.

   • Practice self-compassion – be understanding of others and find something to learn from individuals who are in your life, from coworkers to family members.

   • Get creative – allow yourself the time to Paint, draw, photograph and create. Creativity inspires, invigorates and helps you remember what matters most.

   • Make time with friends and family – allow yourself the time to connect with the people you love everyday.

   • Meditate – there are so many meditation resources available now. Try them and see which one you like – a favorite of mine is Breathe.

5. Build your support team and ask for help. Having people that can support you on your journey is essential to your success. Start building your support team so that you have trusted people to talk to when you feel close to burnout. Reach out and tell those around that you are looking to be proactive and not allow yourself to be defeated by stress. Share these strategies with them and support each other, especially if they have similar high pressure roles or ambitions. I’ve found this is one of the best strategies for beating burnout and it’s an area we place a lot of attention on at The Inside Academy. 

What do you think of these strategies? What have you found helped you prevent burnout?

If you are already experiencing burnout, recognize it and allow yourself to experience those feelings. Know that you will have to change something and start limiting the activities that led you to burn out in the first place. Make space for yourself. Step 1 – take a vacation!

Ultimately, burnout teaches us about ourselves. It allows us to understand our own needs as leaders and entrepreneurs and give us the skills to succeed in a sustainable way.

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About the Author: Alexandra Kinloch is a serial award-winning entrepreneur and business coach. She is the Director of The Inside Academy, has worked with large Silicon Valley firms as an innovation consultant and run a successful tech startup. She was named in the ‘Top Australian Female Entrepreneurs Under 40’ in both 2014 and 2015 and now uses her experience to help aspiring and early stage entrepreneurs create businesses they love.