Wellth Works

“I know my life is better when I work from the assumption that everyone is doing the best they can.” –Brene Brown

Did you need this reminder today?

(Us too.)

Double tap to show everyone who’s reading that they’re not alone.

Burnout is so much more than just another buzzword.

In fact, the World Health Organization recently recognized burnout as a disease and an “occupational phonomenon” for the very first time.

Chances are, you’re already familiar with burnout, but here’s how the W.H.O. defines it:

“Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:

—Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
—Increased mental distance from one’s job
—Feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job
—Reduced professional efficacy”

The WHO asserts that burnout terminology should not be used outside of occupational contexts, but that’s where we disagree.

Burnout is chronic exhaustion.
It’s stress eating away at your spirit and boundaries peeled back at the first signs of resistance.
It’s irritability, short tempers, and suffering relationships.

Despite its beginnings at work, burnout reaches far beyond the workplace.

Despite the pressures we face as women, remember this:

Rest is not a reward to be earned.
You deserve down time.
Done is better than perfect–and when you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.

The Joneses are in debt.

(Lots of it.)

Oh, and those six figure launches that every online entrepreneur is boasting about? They made it happen by spending most of what they earned on Facebook ads.

Turns out, your $50,000 salary last year was a hell of a lot more than what most Tony Robbins-types took home.

But that doesn’t sell out conferences, does it?

Playing the comparison game is nothing new, but we tend to forget how little we see of the objective truth behind every or on Instagram.

Let this be the periodic perspective shift we all need every once in awhile–and don’t forget it this time. Remember this the next time you feel a twinge of envy or inadequacy in your heart: Chances are, you're only getting a glimpse of the entire picture.

That six figure year is lingering in the shadow of thousands owed in taxes (with nothing set aside).
That photo from last year’s vacation to the Maldives on Throwback Thursday is hiding the credit card they're still paying off from booking the trip.

The revenue from that record-breaking launch they’re telling you about? Despite the costs of doing business, it wasn't profitable–but that doesn’t sell online courses.

If you take anything away from this note, let it be this: You’re doing better than you think you are. Honor your journey. Let go of comparison.

That job posting you just passed over? The one that requested candidates with a Masters Degree? The Masters Degree that you don’t have?

A man has already applied for that job—a man with less education and relevant experience than you.

He’s unqualified and unbothered.

And he applied for the damn job anyway.

So why not you?

Today, we wish for you the gumption, the audacity, and the unbridled confidence of a man applying for a job for which he’s unqualified.

So go ahead—throw your hat in the ring (with a dash of “IDGAF” energy).

The worst they can say is no. At least then you’ll know you tried.

Here’s the truth:

Overcoming overwhelm at work goes beyond time blocking and setting boundaries. If it were that simple, we all would’ve figured out how to lead a well-balanced life by now.

If the crush of an endless to-do list has you feeling completely stuck, you’re not alone.

We are living in an age of overwhelm–with all the burnout cures and mindset magic to match. As women, we’re used to the barrage of cultural cues and malicious messages about how flawed we are, but that doesn’t make every “quick fix” any less harmful.

If only we could optimize ourselves enough, then we might be successful.

Valuable.
Happy.
Worthwhile.

But "enough" never comes.

Here’s what we believe:

We can’t overcome overwhelm because our culture will never let it go.

In a society that equates your worth with your productivity and your value with your output, we’re held to an impossible standard–and you’re not crazy to acknowledge that fact.

When you’re up against something as deeply entrenched in our culture as this, every productivity “hack” and self care strategy becomes a flimsy band aid on a wound that crying out for surgery.

With that insight, you can put an end to all that "fixing" you've been told to do.

Overcoming overwhelm at work begins with understanding the myth that underlies our worth.

“Busy” and “burnt out” aren’t badges of honor.
“Balanced,” however, certainly is.

This won’t come as a surprise to you, but it’s worth repeating:

Satisfaction in your career comes from meaningful work.

But you already knew that, right?

Although there are many factors involved in true career contentment, this is where it starts.

Which brings us to our next question:

What does meaningful work look like to you?

Impact?
Responsibility?
Status?
Influence?
Purpose?

Most of the time, there's more to it than money (although a great compensation package never hurts).

There's a reason why people in healthcare, education, and conservation feel the happiest at their jobs–more often than not, they’re working toward something bigger than themselves. They're motivated by something greater than company culture; Their purpose transcends the bottom line.

Now, we’re turning to you.

Tell us: What’s the movement behind your work? What fans your flame? Does your work mean more to you than just making money?