Friday, May 8, 2009

burned out

as the news reporters salivate over the 24 hour coverage of santa barbara burning down before our eyes, another fire is raging...all over the world. people like you and me are right on the verge of burning out emotionally. smoldering to a tiny twig from a once giant redwood....tall and majestic and strong. but now weak and fragile....and almost gone.

have you ever felt this way? i'm sure you have. we start with so much energy and passion. we're idealistic and brave and strong. some last longer then others. but in the end....without proper rest we will all eventually fall down in sheer exhaustion. mortified by our failure, yet powerless to stop it.

so how do you prevent burn out? the fact is, people, employers, organizations all gravitate towards individuals that perform their skill set with excellence. when you take on some and do it well....they give you more. it's natural. it makes sense. then you do more, and they give you more, and you do more....and so on. but i'm telling you. at some point, you must say no. you must have a healthy boundary in order to prolong your existence. you must resist at times, so you can continue. doesn't that seem weird?

i'm there right now. burned out. life is just more then i can take.....it seems there's always more then i can do today. i need a rest. for my sake and for the sake of everyone around me. i need to stop, so i can come back.

less of me...

6 comments:

sjoh said...

i'm with ya dude. hang in there!

Sharon said...

Sounds like you need a date with your wife!
I love you!

vsossaman said...

Did your at the ocean help, smelling in the wonder of the ocean? I can see it now!

Mary Marantz said...

you have NO idea how much this post is speaking to me today!!

. said...

Sometimes knowing what needs to done is just as much about knowing what needs to be left Undone..

Sara France Photography said...

Great post, so many people can relate to this, thanks for addressing this