There comes a point when all of us burn out.  We start with great enthusiasm, order everything on the menu, only to end up with a lot of leftovers.  Sometimes we just quit cold turkey, abandoning everything we’ve worked for.

At work, we’re so tired that we call in fake sick so we can tuck ourselves under the blankets and dream of piccalilli’s and chubby corgi puppies.  They’re so much nicer than facing that annoying colleague or client one more time!

I frequently face burn out.  It’s inevitable when you work 60 hours a week, travel, and have another 20-30 hours of work back home online.  Many of you are the exact same way.  I feel a tremendous amount of responsibility and don’t want to leave any Member behind because we are all in this together.

Making money online is but a small pimple on my butt compared to the significance of developing healthy, long-term relationships.  I know I’m not responsible for other people’s actions, but it still concerns me when someone is having a hard time.  Here are some thoughts and strategies I’ve implemented to prevent us from saying, “C-ya!

FIGHTING BURN OUT, YAKEZIE STYLE

* Create a healthy support network.  It’s your support network that gets you through your darkest days.  All those times where you’ve been there for others will come back in spades if you ever need help.  Focus on helping others with the hope that you’ll never need any help in return.  When things are tough, your network will help you make it through..

* Go at your own pace.  It’s healthy to anchor yourself to someone to compete with so you know where you stand.  It’s why working with a group is much more effective than working out by yourself.  You have someone constantly pushing you.  On the other hand, if suddenly everybody in your group turns into Mr. and Mrs. Olympia, while you are still sporting a one pack, you may just start stuffing your face with banana cream cheesecakes!  Don’t.  Just go at your own pace and reach out to your team for support.

* Imagine things much worse.  When I sprain my ankles, I often roll-over and grimace in pain.  The feeling of popped tendons and torn cartilage is unnerving, and I get depressed because it means I can’t play tennis or exercise for a month.  However, when the ankles go, I think about how fortunate I am that I haven’t broken my ankles.  When you’re struggling to keep up your writing schedule with one site, look to those who manage multiple sites.  When you’re hungry for a cheeseburger, think about the millions of people who have been hungry for days.  When you’re feeling sorry for yourself for not making much money, be thankful you can speak.

* Separate your achievements.  If you make $100,000 at your day job, you’re going to feel awfully discouraged if you only make $10,000 a year from your online endeavors.  Instead, separate your achievements into different buckets.  Your $100,000 a year day job is just that, and should be evaluated based on the income level and competition in your field.  Your $10,000 a year online income is a completely different field that requires different metrics.  If you understand that 99% of people online make less than $1,000 a year, you’ll realize what an achievement $10,000 is.  Adjust your metrics accordingly.

* Pretend you have nothing.  Everyday I wake up I believe I have nothing in the bank.  It’s why I flush all my income immediately out of my go broke bank and into a different savings bank after paying the bills.  Seeing little to nothing in my bank account keeps me on my toes and gives me a tremendous amount of drive to build my savings back up.  Millions of people are born into poverty and will never get out.  How can we ever take for granted what we have if we are fortunate enough to born in a country of better opportunity?

* Vent, but complain only a little.  There’s really no need to worry about others not understanding, or not empathizing when you feel burned out.  We’ve all been there so don’t hold your feelings in.  It’s an inevitable feeling since we live in such a connected and competitive society.  It’s why we go back to the second point, which is to go at our own pace.

* Prioritize just three things at a time.  To-do lists sure have a great way of getting out of control.  Write two columns down.  The first column is all the stuff you have to do.  The second column are the three things you choose out of the first column that you must do, if nothing else.  You might even just focus on one or two things.  You’ll always get more done this way and feel better in the process.

* Think long term.  If you have to complete something yesterday, you will be stressed.  But, if you give yourself enough time, you will be able to accomplish your goals.  Accomplishing 2 things a week, leads to 100+ accomplishments a year!  Whenever I take on a project, I think in 5 year blocks and I don’t waiver.  When the Yakezie Network started in December, 2009, I didn’t think 2010, I thought about creating a framework that could thrive to December, 2014.  We implemented the forums, built the verticals, created the writing contest, and implemented the Belts of Honor system which is not done at Black Belt, surprise, surprise.  By thinking long term, you focus on bigger issues and don’t worry as much about the minor set backs.

CONCLUSION

My favorite saying that keeps me going is, “If the direction is correct, sooner or later you will get there.” Whenever I’m feeling the hustle and bustle of the city, and the demands of life get too much, I take a trip up to my vacation property in Lake Tahoe to unwind. Nobody knows who I am up there, and nobody bothers me. It’s just me, my thoughts, and my laptop for writing.

Readers, what are some of the ways you counteract burn out? It’s 2015 and I’ve kept writing for almost six years now and love it. May burn out never come!

Why do you burn out?

Looking to learn how to start your own profitable website? Check out my step-by-step guide on how to start a blog. It’s one of the best things I did in 2009 to help earn extra money and break free from Corporate America!

Updated for 2017 and beyond.