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Burnout, Boundaries and the Business Coach who forgot his own advice
- Chris Barrow
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
I'm not going to hide it - I'm completely burned out (actually, it probably shows).
Out of a sense of self-pity and morbid curiosity, I checked back through my calendar to confirm that I have taken 3 days off work - in the last 2 months.
That's the ultimate hypocrisy, from a coach who spends a lot of time encouraging clients not to do the same.
Soz.
It just happens sometimes. We get in a zone where "the show must go on", the delusions of indispensability re-emerge and we convince ourselves that, if we don't show up, the world will end.
So I fell into that trap on Monday 1st September - and here I am on Friday 10th October, a shell - energy levels depleted, immune systems down, brain a fog - and all the people around me who care yelling at me to SLOW DOWN.
Here's part of the good news - after today's London workshop (delivered courtesy of #adrenalineandnotmuchelse) I drive home this evening (don't ask) and tomorrow, Annie and I head off for a week's holiday in Canada.
Off this grid.
That, of course, is not the solution, but it is a sticking plaster for a few days that will enable to get my battery back from red to at least amber.
So there you go - even Mr. Big Bollocks Business Coach (as a best friend used to call me whenever I did this) has fallen off the time and priority management tracks again - and needs to:
Step 1 - recognise that he has a problem;
Step 2 - decide to do something about it;
Steps 3-12 - do something about it.
I'm not embarrassed about any of this - it's a nice reminder that you and I aren't "AI-driven", infuriatingly defaulting to US English and getting facts wrong without remorse - we are human, making (and repeating) mistakes about our choices and full of apologies for it.
Hurrah for humans.
“It's not how we fall. It's how we get back up again.”
Patrick Ness: Monsters of Men
So I've fallen - and now I'll have to get back up again.
Starting a week on Monday.
Until then, this blog is taking a break - and so am I - see you in a week.
I've never been there, but Canada is a relatively long way to go for a week - you'll use up the best part of a day going out, and take a week to adjust to the time difference and then an unpredictable night's sleep coming home might make the next day of limited use. But there's still fun to be had...look after yourself
A week will not be enough.
A week in Canada, and then a week off after Canada (maybe walking in the Peak District - nothing like the great outdoors to rejuvenate the soul).
Chris Barrow
Hope you're ok... you are one of the hardest workers I know
Enjoy your break. Recharge and refresh.
But don't ever write a blog like this again... it's written like a Netflix series episode. I want to find out what happens next... you've left me hanging....
(Look after yourself❤️🩹❤️🩹)
David