Tag: burnout

How to Rekindle the Spark Within

Recently, I feel like I have been going through the motions and at the same time, feel a shift in my passion for what I do.  Not exactly a complete loss of passion but definitely a decline to the point where it has caused me to pause and reevaluate everything.  Can anyone relate?  This is a bit of an issue for me since my passion is my business that aims to inspire and motivate people. I make it a point to pay close attention to these alterations and not fight them because I truly believe they are directional signs pointing us in another direction.  So rather than getting frustrated, I asked for help.

On a recent road trip, I bared my soul, opened my frozen heart, shared my deepest concerns, and asked my husband for some honest feedback. Have you ever been totally blindsided by someone’s response in asking for help that it took 2 days just to process the information??  Like I have said before, “truth is absurd when first heard”.  To say the least, I was triggered by his honesty that I obviously wasn’t quite ready to hear.  I had asked for help but instead got an earful on what I am not doing to take things to the next level.  I got a very clear picture on how he sees me “work my passion” through his eyes.  And if I am going to be truthful, I haven’t been treating my “work” with much passion at all. This heavy conversation is what broke the ice exposing an entirely new degree of passion I’ve been missing, giving my purpose an entirely new perspective. 

As part of any transformation process, we need to RELEASE the behaviors that no longer serve us.  But first REALIZE the truth about what needs to change and do something about it, not just sweep it under the rug.  And many times we cannot see the truth when we are stuck in our limiting beliefs about what it’s supposed to look like.  This is when outside perspectives are extremely valuable.  And like I recently learned, we just have to put our ego aside, receive feedback with an open heart, and be coachable. 

I realized finding my passion isn’t so much about where to look for it or even doing something differently.  It was about identifying the blocks and barriers that prevent it from becoming the bonfire it once was or wants to become. I invite you to consider looking at your past experiences that may have caused you to hang on to un-dealt-with emotional baggage like guilt, shame, regret or remorse.  Until you work through and process these emotions properly, your passion can never truly thrive. 

As I prepared to spend the day writing at the beach, I accidentally grabbed my “A Course in Transformation Guidebook”.  Before I set it back down, I thought to myself, “Huh, maybe I need to do my own work to process this passion transformation thing I’m going through.”  So I did.  I spent 4 hours literally going through page-by-page of my own transformation framework that helped me so many times before.  Going through this therapeutic workbook helped me address what needed to be healed. And when I did, I felt an openness and a freedom that was like a burst of oxygen igniting the flame.  I began to feel excitement.  Ideas began flowing through and I could hardly wait to get to working on my next project.  My own Guidebook helped me create a plan and reset my vision.  Not to toot my own horn, but I have to say, it really works!

So when you start to feel your passion dwindle and that awkward imbalance in your life, begin by doing some inner-renovation work.  Start with the blueprint (The Nowhere to Knowing “A Course in Transformation” Guidebook is a great start) then excavate deep down, release those boulders of negative emotions, take an inventory on what’s working and what isn’t.  Come to terms with the fact that just because you’ve been doing the same thing for a period of time doesn’t mean you’re still passionate about it. And life is too short to be doing anything that doesn’t align with our deepest desires.

There comes a time when we have to look at what is causing our passion to fade.  People can feel disconnected from their passion for various reasons:

  1. Burnout: Overexertion or prolonged stress related to pursuing their passion can lead to burnout, causing individuals to feel disconnected or even resentful toward their once-beloved activity.
  1. Pressure and Expectations: External pressure or expectations, whether from society, family, or oneself, can dampen the enjoyment of a passion. When something that once brought joy becomes associated with pressure to perform or meet certain standards, it can lead to disconnection.
  1. Monotony: Engaging in the same activities or routines associated with their passion without variety or new challenges can lead to boredom and disengagement.
  1. Life Changes: Major life events, such as job changes, relationship shifts, or personal crises, can shift priorities and focus away from one’s passion, leading to feelings of disconnection.
  1. Lack of Progress: Feeling stuck or not making progress toward goals within their passion can be demotivating and lead to disconnection.
  1. External Factors: External circumstances such as financial constraints, health issues, or societal changes can limit opportunities to engage with one’s passion, leading to feelings of disconnect.
  1. Loss of Interest: Sometimes, interests naturally evolve over time, and what once was a passion may no longer hold the same appeal. This can lead to a sense of disconnection as individuals struggle to find new sources of fulfillment.

Addressing feelings of disconnection from one’s passion often involves self-reflection to identify the underlying causes and making intentional efforts to rekindle enthusiasm, whether through seeking new challenges, adjusting expectations, or exploring related interests.

Here’s a few ideas to spark that fire in the belly once again…

  1. Solitude. Spend time alone for self-reflection but do not isolate yourself to the point where you become lonely.  People can be exactly what you need right now (see #2).
  2. Ask for feedback.  There are people in your life that have a front row seat at your life.  Ask them what they see and give them permission to provide some honest feedback.
  3. Brace yourself. Prepare yourself for hearing perspectives that may feel wrong, incorrect or untrue.  Then set your ego aside and admit there’s some truth to what is being said. 
  4. Ditch the excuses.  We sometimes get in the habit of making excuses for not doing things.  Yes, even the things we claim to be passionate about. 
  5. Clear the emotional blockages. I firmly believe when we work through the emotional wounds of our past that have caused us to feel guilt, shame, regret or remorse, it blocks our passion energy from flowing.  So talk to a therapist (or purchase my A COURSE IN TRANSFORMATION GUIDEBOOK on AMAZON) to get to the heart of the blockage. 

When it’s all said and done, our passion is the driving force for why we do what we do.  When our passion dwindles, it causes unhappiness, self-dissatisfaction,  impacts our relationships and bleeds into other aspects of our lives.  When left untreated, we soon become bitter and resentful.  This is a serious imbalance that needs to be remedied.  So the next time you feel uninspired, a lack of enthusiasm, or when the zest for life has diminished, take a good hard look in the mirror and work through that unfinished business.  Take the time to make the changes that light that fire in your belly.  Do whatever is necessary to become the next best version of yourself. I promise you’ll be rewarded with a happy, fulfilled life with an inferno of gratification. 

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Angel Carlton Anderson is a Transformational Writer, Speaker and Facilitator…helping people evolve through the natural cycle of change so that they transform into a greater version of themselves, live a life of purpose & lead with impact.  

To Learn more visit:  TransformwithAngel.com

Breaking Free from Burnout: Rediscover your Passion & Purpose

By: Angel Carlton Anderson

Ever get to that point in life where nothing you’re doing seems to fulfill you?  Do you find yourself starring into space as if boredom has become your natural state of being?  Are you having trouble waking up in the morning only to take on another drab and dreary day. Yep, sounds like you’ve got a bad case of BURNOUT.

Let’s take a deeper look at this thing called burnout and where it stems from because we all strive to get to a comfortable place in life where we have no worries and are not overworked.  We have put in a lot of effort to get where we are and deserve to relax and live a stress-free life, right?

Let’s be honest, those boring “comfort zones” are nice for a while, but this comfy and content place in life, my friends, is where burnout creeps in.   Don’t get me wrong, we have gone from the pause of the pandemic to a rapid pace of busyness. And this is not to say you’re not filling your time with worthwhile ventures…but if they were really worthwhile, you most likely would not be feeling burnt out. Let’s face it, if we were challenging ourselves, pushing the limits of our potential and thriving in every aspect of life, burnout would not be an issue.  It’s only when we sit back, kick our feet up, fill our time with distractions, and put our life mission on autopilot that we become comfortable with the status quo.  

Burnout is not just a state of mind, it is more than likely a personal growth issue.  Sounds kinda crazy to think being burnt out at work has anything to do with your evolution, but trust me on this…let’s say your “higher self” is trying to tap you on the shoulder as if to say, “Dude, what you’ve done so far is great, but this is not fully what you came here to do and you know it.  Your feelings are an indicator…a directional sign… toward becoming something greater.  It’s time. Ya gotta trust me on this.”

Burnout is a merely a wake-up call to take a deeper look at your life and how you are living it…otherwise, why else would we feel that sense of unfulfillment?  We are being called to not just DO more, but BE more…utilize more of our potential, our creative power and natural gifts.  Not just do a job but transcend into your next best self.  We cannot accomplish this kicking back in our comfort zones.  Growth seldom occurs in that space of security, predictability, and safety.  Complacency can be a real passion killer if we let it go too far.

So, let me ask you this, what is your passion, what comes naturally to you?  Because if you’re feeling burnt out, likely you’re being called to step up your game and tap into some unused talent.  It’s time to stop procrastinating, set aside laziness and step into a greater version of yourself…it’s what you’re being called to do, in whatever that looks like for you. Improve just one aspect of your life…big or small…and watch it spill into the areas where you feel burnt out:

  • If work has got you down, begin an exercise program…this will stimulate the mind and many times, work ideas will flow during bodily movement.
  • If you feel lousy physically, take on a new creative hobby…this sparks the brain and when your brain is activated, you will feel more energetic.
  • If you’re feeling sad in your personal life, join a meet up group, church or social…connection is very healing, and a simple smile can be a powerful prescription for the burnout blues.
  • If your relationships feel stagnant, then add some spark to your romance, maybe getting more creative in your dating agenda.
  • If you’re feeling lack or like you’re not giving enough, find ways to do an act of kindness a day – if you have it to give you are more abundant and prosperous than you think.
  • If burnout is caused by being overworked, then dedicate some time off for self-care…being too proud to admit you need a break won’t help improve your state of mind.

Remember, life begins just outside of your comfort zone.  You feel it’s time for a change and with change comes some discomfort.  Well, it’s time to get comfortable with the uncomfortable…this seems to be our new normal, doesn’t it?! The time has come to take some control back, set some boundaries for yourself, and make a plan.  These are some things to keep in mind when doing so:

  • Value your own time…it’s the only commodity we cannot get back…monitor your distractions that steal your time and discipline yourself to do something you actually love. (I know, what a concept, right?)
  • New experiences awaken the unstimulated brain – challenge yourself to do something new and step into the “unknown”…your spirit will be uplifted and reward you in ways you can’t imagine.
  • Even though burnout can make you grumpy, do your best to be kind to those around you…everyone is experiencing some form of challenge in their life so find that commonality though kindness.

Burnout is a call to action to step out of your comfort zone and see your life through a new lens.  Becoming the observer of your life and developing a keen self-awareness will make changes easier to navigate.  It helps to identify the root cause of your burnout.  Begin by asking yourself:

  • Are you being the best YOU you can be?
  • What is that highest greatest vision you have of yourself? 
  • Are you utilizing the natural gifts you came here to use?
  • What is something you enjoy that you’re not doing enough of?
  • Are you helping others in some way?
  • Are you being generous enough?
  • Are you limiting yourself in any way?

Take time to self-evaluate your state of being (mentally and emotionally), then excavate those limitations (beliefs, behaviors, or attitudes). Give yourself some time to heal because burnout doesn’t just happen to you out of the blue…although it feels like it’s coming out of nowhere. Burnout is a process of being comfortable for an extended period of time.  Burnout means it’s time to mix things up…like a snow globe…nothing happens until you shake it up…it only becomes interesting when we do.  So, shake up that snow globe of life, make those necessary changes, and see for yourself how everything falls into place.

Angel Carlton Anderson is a Transformational Speaker, Published Author of multiple personal development books, and Facilitator of Transformative Learning.  To learn more visit:  TransformwithAngel.com.