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This is the number one way to get Burnout
May 19, 2024
Apr 7, 2024
Self-Inflicted Burnout
Hey friends,
I got a fantastic question from a client last week:
“I’m subscribed to many online personalities. I watch their YouTube videos on living a better life and being more productive. So, why do I feel I’m getting worse?”
This really hit home because I see many people experiencing the same thing.
It’s not that the content from these online personalities is wrong or harmful. The problem is expecting a quick fix and pretending you’ve mastered it prematurely, which leads to constant disappointment.
But don’t worry, there’s a clear path to reclaiming your balance and productivity. Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Realign Your Expectation of Reward
Most of what you hear online are just nuggets of information, not the whole treasure chest. These snippets are meant to get you hooked, not to provide you with all the knowledge you need.
We tend to think that a single video or article will solve all our problems. It won’t. It’s just a summary.
To truly apply any new technique, you need to dive deeper. Do what the experts do—research thoroughly and become a subject matter expert yourself.
Yes, it takes time and effort to make any “quick fix” actually work for you. When something resonates, dive deep, research, apply it gradually, and adjust over time. Expect it to take considerable time and discipline before you see the full benefits.
Step 2: Don’t Fake It
The phrase “fake it until you make it” doesn’t work here.
Many people start talking about having fully implemented a new technique after just hearing about it. They’ve barely tried it and started promoting its benefits.
This creates a false sense of accomplishment and a premature reward system. It feels like you’ve failed more than you’ve succeeded.
Before you promote any new technique, fully research it. Read the books, understand the ins and outs, and actually live with the technique for a while. Gather real data to see if it works for you.
Only then can you genuinely share your experience and promote the technique. Hold back your excitement about finding a new “golden nugget.” It’s just a nugget, not a better life (yet).
Step 3: Don’t Succumb to Everything
There’s too much advice and content out there to consume it all. So, don’t waste your time trying to know everything.
Pick a maximum of 1-3 authors to follow. Buy their books and some of the books they reference. Read them thoroughly and take good notes.
Don’t shortcut by reading only summaries. You won’t master the concepts that way. Summaries are for socializing, not for mastery.
Implement what’s in the books. Ignore the fluff from online podcasts; they only give you the summary, not the journey.
Give it time. Only after fully implementing the techniques from your top 1-3 authors should you consider adding more advice to fine-tune your approach.
These steps will help you make meaningful improvements that are sustainable and will have a tangible effect on your well-being.
In return, successfully implementing these productivity and well-being techniques will greatly reduce your odds of burning out.
Stay awesome,
Dr. Oliver Degnan
PERSONALIZED BURNOUT SCORECARD
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Leadership is hard. We spend a lifetime perfecting to lead teams and organizations with tangible results that change people’s lives.
Let’s make sure we get it right without burning out.
I have been living in the trenches of a C-suite leader for over 17 years, leading thousands of employees between Startups, PE, and Fortune 50 companies. I am the former SVP and CTO for IBM Watson Health, Chief Architect for Intuit in Silicon Valley, and founder of MoreTalent AI with a successful exit in the 7-figure range. Every newsletter I send out has invaluable insight to help you succeed in your journey.
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