Is the Contribution Worth the Aggravation?

Usually burnout hits us like a ton of bricks, so avoiding it can seem impossible. This short article is not about how to avoid it, but rather how to address it. It’s a road that usually starts at the ‘quit’ and affords you the opportunity to walk away from a toxic situation/person.

The first thing you have to ask yourself: Is the contribution worth the aggravation?

Years ago I had a business mentor who challenged my ‘commitment’ to a program that I wasn’t willing to let go of. He asked me if it was really that important to stay on track or was it my ego keeping me there. ‘As passionate as you are about this, could it possibly be in your best interest to walk away from it?’

I never forgot his advice – mostly because he was absolutely right. I learned that the more passionate you are about something, the harder it is to let go of, and the more the ego is involved.

Reaching burnout because you’re supporting something you love is not only exhausting, it’s devastating. At what cost must you stick with it to prove a point? The hard truth is that if you’re pouring it all into this one situation, you’re certainly stealing from other parts of your life. 

Walking away doesn’t mean you lose, it means you win back your time and your energy for the things in your life that are positive and that bring you joy without distress. At some point your fear of disappointing people must go and your self preservation must kick in. 

Situations come to a head. That’s life. Only you can decide when enough is enough and take steps to clear your slate – YOUR slate, not anyone else’s agenda. Sometimes stepping back is the only way to restore balance. We often talk about setting clear boundaries with others, but you must first set those for yourself. 

Surround yourself with people who really know you outside of your ‘situation’ and trust their concerns about how it’s affecting you. Standing up for yourself isn’t always about staying and ‘fighting’. Sometimes it’s simply about walking away. 

This is a great time of year to reflect and make adjustments. Be at peace with your decisions and stay true to you. Sometimes the old saying strikes a chord: If you love something (but it’s burning you out), let it go…

xo Lara