[FrenchTouch42]

Thank you for sharing, your story really hit home for me.

For years, I've been one of the people to step up: solving problems, hitting crazy deadlines, being the "hero" etc. I thought if I just kept pushing, it would pay off. But somewhere along the way, I realized that no matter how much impact I truly had, I was still just another employee, not truly breaking through to the level where I could make the difference I wanted. And the worst part is that I'm fully aware of it, yet I still deal with it because I haven't found the success I'm looking for.

Burnout doesn't hit all at once: it sneaks up on you when you're too busy solving everyone else's problems. I ignored it for too long, thinking it was just part of the job. For those of us who thrive on tackling the "impossible", it's easy to forget that you need to take care of yourself. Being the one who makes things happen shouldn't come at the cost of your well-being. It's okay to step back and prioritize yourself. You're worth so much more than just the work you do.

Combine Cassandra and savior syndromes, and it's been a terrible recipe for my health. I've learned that no amount of foresight or effort can substitute for the need for balance and self-care.

To anyone reading this, especially those in leadership, it's important to recognize the people truly making a difference. And for those who feel like they're giving everything and it's still not enough, sometimes stepping back and valuing yourself is the most powerful move you can make.

True leadership isn't about being the hero; it's about knowing when to put your own mask on first. You can't pour from an empty cup.

[steve_adams_86]

This all hits home for me, too. A lot of great points. It’s somewhat reassuring to read that others have such similar experiences. It’s not nice to know others are struggling, but nice to know that it all makes sense, I guess. There’s a pattern, something to work with, we’re not just crazy, etc.

The empty cup analogy is great one. When burn out first started to cause problems for me I went and spoke with someone, and they used this analogy. I thought it was a bit silly for the first 5 minutes and then it hit me. I really did feel empty. I felt exactly like I had nothing to give other people. I was the empty cup, craving something to fill it. That was a strange day for sure. Since then the analogy has stuck with me and crosses my mind regularly.