How to Push Through the Burnout

By Chuck Fenwick

Why You Should Strive for Excellence

Burn out. It’s real. It happens sometimes. And it feels impossible to overcome. It’s not impossible, but it sure is hard to push through a season of overwhelm and exhaustion. 

You can be burnt out at work, at home, or just generally burnt out in life. 

It kind of feels like you are a piece of burned toast. Like someone stuck you in the toaster for too long, and you’re too exhausted and too crispy to care anymore. So you start to put in less and less effort. 

One way to push through the season of “burned outness” is by battling mediocrity and pursuing excellence. 

It seems kind of obvious that the way to push through this feeling is by buckling down and persevering, but it doesn’t mean you know where to start. 

Pursuing excellence is important in all areas of life, especially when you’re feeling mediocre and exhausted. I know you don’t want to be an average employee, spouse, friend, volunteer,  or parent. I know you don’t because I don’t want to be average at any of these roles, either. 

We can’t be perfect – and we never will be. But it’s important to fight mediocrity and strive to be above average. 

So, here are four ways you can push through the “burnt toast” feeling and battle that feeling of being average. 

Start with Your Attitude

The first step in battling the urge to be average is to assess your attitude. Ultimately, your attitude matters way more than your actions. 

Your attitude is what drives the intentions of the actions you choose. Your mindset is so powerful that it can either propel you forward or hold you back.

So begin each day by checking in with your mindset. How are you feeling? Are you starting the day off on a positive note or already going in with a bad attitude?

You may have to do this several times a day. Before you enter into a task or situation that you aren’t looking forward to, remember to pause and check in with yourself first. Your attitude impacts not only your experience but everyone else’s, too.

Think Small

Overcoming the urge to be average and swimming in the burnout phase doesn’t happen all at once. 

Battling mediocrity doesn’t happen in the big life moments. Instead, achieving excellence occurs in all of life’s little moments. Focus on incorporating little habits and tiny moments into each day that help you become the best version of yourself.

• Here are a few ways to get you started: 

  • Make your bed each morning

  • Set out your clothes for the next day each evening

  • Incorporate movement or exercise 3-4 times in your weekly routine

  • Read for 10 minutes before bed

These aren’t the only ways to grow and flourish, but they can help you get started! Think of ways to set yourself up for success and add those into your regular routine.

Begin at the End

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “Begin with the end in mind” from Stephen Covey. It’s a powerful perspective, and honestly, it’s changed my life.  

To achieve success, start by thinking of the way you want things to turn out. Do you want this to be a productive day at work? Do you want to have a peaceful dinner with your family? Do you want to have a meaningful conversation with someone in your life? 

Once you’ve determined your goal, work backward. In order to have a productive day at work, what would set you up for success? Maybe it’s removing your phone from your office, carving some time out in your schedule for focused work, and setting some goals for the day. Determine your desired outcome, and then go for it. 

Overcoming mediocrity in your day-to-day routine starts at the end, not the beginning. Just a little bit of intentional, strategic planning can help you toward the life you want to live.

Don’t Be Good Enough

Lastly, don’t let yourself settle. Muddling through every single day without celebrating the little things isn’t fun for anyone. 

Do your best to be your best. And, challenge yourself to be a little better than you were yesterday. 

Start by checking in on your mindset. Are you working to be part of the problem or part of the solution? 

Then, focus on the little things. Life isn’t just made up of big moments. The smallest experiences matter, too. 

And think through where you’re going before you’re already halfway through your journey. You probably wouldn’t start a roadtrip without a destination, right? Life is the same way. 

Striving for excellence does not mean you are striving for perfection. Take small steps just to do a little better every single day.

Keep Me Updated

You are not average, you have the power to be extraordinary every day. I know it sounds silly, but you deserve to hear that. 

If you try any of these tips, I want to know so I can help cheer you on. I’m proud of you! And I want you to know that. Send me a text and let me know which one worked best to help you lessen your feeling of burnout and battle mediocrity.