Many people experience stress, fatigue, and burnout at some point in their career. These three factors can have an impact on their ability to perform their job well and to meet the expectations required of it. There are multiple studies that show the short and long term effects of these three symptoms on people’s health. Bluntly put, people can die from one or more of these conditions, all of which are associated with not being in integrity.
In early 2006, I experienced a number of negative side-effects of being out of integrity with my career. I was stressed out, constantly, with no sign of relief. Eventually, the impact of fatigue and lethargy on my ability to do my job would become increasingly challenging. I felt like I had nothing left to give and was highly emotional most of the time; it felt like a serious case of burnout.
Stress was a constant for me during this time in my career; I was prone to cry, easily, and in most cases out-of-context. Sleeping and eating didn’t happen, regularly. I had no interest in exercising nor being social with my family and friends.
Fatigue and lethargy became the norm for me. My daily routine did not include rest or a healthy night’s sleep. Instead, I would toss and turn, wrestling with thoughts that would rob me of my peace of mind.
Burnout was something that I knew little about, back then. I had attended some personal and professional development training programs that covered it in varying degrees of detail, but each time I was exposed to it, I did not think it related to me. I was in denial and kept any thoughts of being burnt out as far away from me as possible.
In May 2006, I attended a retreat weekend that put me face-to-face with what I had been avoiding for far too long. I was in the middle of a complete meltdown–burnout mode–with my career. With the cold, harsh truth staring me straight in the face, I realized that I had to make a decision about my self-preservation.
During my long drive home from the retreat, I found myself reflecting on the experiences of the weekend. The decision to leave my job was as clear as the sky above me. I knew that the only way out of my predicament was a complete exit—even if just a temporary one. I was ready to do whatever it took to take a break from my career for however long it would take to reconnect with my integrity and passion.
When I started to plan my sabbatical, I thought I would bounce back in no time. My initial plan covered being on break for six months. As time went on, however, I discovered the actual depths of my disconnection from my core-self. As a result, my break ended up lasting 747 days.
My one focus during my break was to reconnect with myself and develop the habit of self-care. I started out small. I would enjoy having lunch on my own. Maybe watch a movie matinee. I found joy in going to a store and allowing myself to spend fifty dollars on anything I wanted, not needed. The freedom to choose me (for a change) came more easily than I thought…at least with time and practice.
I found myself making some bold decisions for reconnecting with myself. I spent time in Kenya, serving and supporting the orphans of the AIDS epidemic. Bali was another destination. There, I found ways to make peace with my ego, which clearly drove my needs for perfectionism and control. As a reward for my personal progress and growth, I planned a trip to Spain, celebrating with tapas and wine.
I reflect on my time in Kauai as one of the best things I have done for myself. During my six weeks on the island, it became very clear how I should return to my career–balanced and with an integrated mindset. The time had come to re-engage, but this time I would do so, adept in the practice of self-care.
I began my job search in early 2008 and quickly had three finalist companies that I focused on pursuing. Showing up for the interviews with a renewed energy and frame of mind fueled my ambition. I was excited and recharged for the next phase of my career.
My dream job lay in wait for me at Accenture, a global firm, as the Lead for Leadership Development for the Americas. I prepared myself to hit the ground running, reconnected to an inherent enthusiasm that I thought had long left me. Primed to work with leaders, I was ready for anything.
After an extensive break from my career, I landed on my feet and couldn’t have been happier. I invested the time and resources needed to find my way back to me. Because of that, I continued to reap the benefits of the lessons I had learned from those 747 days of focused self-care and renewal.
The new “habits” that I learned about–balance and self-care–supported me, well, during a time in my career when I was in my 50s and extensively traveling the globe for several years in a row. The grueling schedule did not result in high levels of stress, long periods of fatigue, lethargy, or burn out. Utilizing mindfulness, as well as my new self-care habits, realized positive results when making decisions that would impact me in the short and long runs.
All too often, people think that they do not have the ability or capacity to make decisions that will support them in overcoming a challenging time in their careers or lives. However, I have learned that where there is a will, there is a way. The willingness to make difficult decisions can lead to a new level of being and showing up. When you boil it down, it’s always a good time to reflect on how to live a life worth enjoying and celebrating every day.
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About Phil Bohlender
Phil's corporate career has spanned over 40 years at 8 companies in two industries on five continents. As a result of his passion and enthusiasm for learning and sharing business best practices and inclusive leadership, he is a powerful and proficient contributor to organizational transformations. Phil’s career experiences, as an openly gay man, with multiple Fortune 100 Companies influenced him to become a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advocate and Ally.
