Ah, the glamorous life of a CEO: jet-setting boardrooms, power lunches that could fuel a small nation, and decisions heavier than your Aunt Isabelle’s cheesecake. But beneath the bespoke suits and LinkedIn bravado lurks the dreaded burnout – that sneaky saboteur turning visionary leaders into zombies who mistake their coffee mug for the company vision statement. If you’re a decision-maker staring at your inbox like it’s a portal to the abyss, fear not.
This article serves up easy wisdom and practical advice to recharge your batteries before you short-circuit entirely. Think of it as your executive defibrillator.
First off, recognise the red flags.
Burnout isn’t just “feeling tired” – it’s when your inner monologue shifts from “I got this” to “Why am I even here?” Symptoms include chronic fatigue (not the good kind from a killer workout), cynicism sharper than a shareholder’s glare, and productivity plummeting faster than a tech stock in a recession. One CEO I know (let’s call him “Bob” to protect the innocent) once scheduled a meeting with his houseplant because he forgot real people existed. Witty? Sure. Sustainable? Nope.
#Practical tip numero uno:
Delegate like your sanity depends on it – because it does.
CEOs often hoard tasks like dragons with gold, but remember, even Smaug needed minions. Hand off the minutiae to trusted lieutenants. Start small: Let your VP handle that TPS report frenzy. Pro tip: Use humor in delegation emails – “I’m entrusting you with this because if I do it, I’ll end up alphabetising the snack drawer instead.” This not only lightens the load but builds team morale. Studies show (okay, my experience says) that empowered teams innovate more, leaving you free to ponder the big picture without the mental fog.
#Practical tip numero due:
Embrace the art of the micro-break.
No, not scrolling TikTok until your eyes bleed – think strategic pauses. The Pomodoro technique on steroids: Work 25 minutes, then step away for five. During that breather, do something absurdly non-executive, like juggling stress balls or reciting limericks about your competitors. “There once was a rival from Nantucket…” – you get the idea. For longer resets, schedule “CEO Sabbaticals”: A weekend unplugged in nature, where the only merger is you with a hammock. Research from the World Health Organization (fancy, eh?) links regular breaks to reduced stress and boosted creativity. Bonus: Return with ideas fresher than your barista’s attitude.
#Practical tip numero tre:
Learn to breathe deep.
When you’re under stress and your brain is reaching the speed of light while your ears start smoking, you literally stop breathing. You may be holding your breath without even realising it. And what happens? You cripple your brain further. It’s a bit like shooting your foot with a shotgun while you’re trying to win a race. Solution? Learn to breathe. It may save your life. Plenty of Yoga techniques out there to help you with it. If it sounds too whacky for you (you’re old, face it) then look up “how to breath from your stomach” instead of doing it from your upper lungs. More oxygen in your brain = more fuel = more clarity. At least now you have a reason to burn your eye-balls on TikTok at midnight.
#Practical tip numero quattro:
Remember physical fuel.
Exercise isn’t just for gym rats; it’s burnout’s kryptonite. Aim for 30 minutes daily – a brisk walk where you plot world domination, or yoga to untangle your knotted nerves. Pair it with nutrition: Swap endless espressos for green smoothies.
A cool hack: Treat your body like a high-performance vehicle. You wouldn’t run a Ferrari on cheap gas and expect it to win Le Mans, right? Hydrate, sleep seven hours (yes, really), and witness your decision-making sharpen.
#Practical tip numero cinque:
Seek support with no shame, and look after yourself.
Therapy isn’t for the weak; it’s for the wise. Hire an executive coach or join a CEO peer group – think AA but with better ties. Share war stories: “My burnout made me email the board in Comic Sans.” Laughter ensues, insights flow. Mindfulness apps like Headspace can help too; meditate for 10 minutes daily to quiet the mental committee arguing in your head.
Pro Tip: the easiest meditation you can do is “focused listening”. I still practice it after more than 20 years (and I haven’t thrown myself off a balcony yet). Just close your eyes, breathe slowly, and start focusing on every single sound you can hear. First the close ones then the furthest ones, loud ones then subtle ones, then gradually try to hear them all at the same time. By the end of it you should feel way more relaxed and self-centred.
#Practical tip numero sei:
Set boundaries.
And make them fiercer than a non-compete clause. No emails after 7 PM – your brain deserves overtime pay. Pursue hobbies: Paint, play guitar, or bake cookies shaped like your logo. Or spend quality time with your family! What’s better than your child smiling at you? Remember, a burned-out leader leads a singed ship (at home and at work).
In closing, dear decision-makers, burnout is the universe’s way of saying “slow down, hotshot.” With these tips, you’ll dodge the flames and emerge phoenix-like – wiser, lighter, and ready to conquer. Your empire (and your therapist) will thank you.
Extra reading:
Here’s a link from PubMed on Burnout with quotes from the WHO: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10630726/