I’m a writer, entrepreneur, and wife and I’ve experienced debilitating burnout – here are the 4 signs to watch out for
IN THIS fast-paced world, most people tend to always be looking toward their next goal.
But if we don't take the time to slow down once in a while, our bodies can physically and mentally shut down in what's called burnout.
Take it from a true multi-hyphenate who's experienced burnout firsthand.
While in college, Jordan started a small business called SoulScripts that quickly became a large social media community where people began sending in personal stories and encouraging messages.
She then took on more creative projects, speaking to college campuses, and self-publishing her writing.
Eventually, she was offered a publishing opportunity that led her to become a best-selling author.
On top of writing, Jordan hosts the SHE with Jordan Lee Dooley podcast, provides mentorship to other entrepreneurs, and keeps up with her SoulScripts shop.
All of this led to long nights spent working on the computer, little sleep, dependence on caffeine, and it all combined into physical and mental burnout.
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Jordan has spent the last year and a half shifting her routine so that she can work sustainably and without hitting a wall.
She told The Sun exactly what the tell-tale signs of burnout are so that you can identify them for yourself.
Disinterest in passions and hobbies
Speaking from experience, Jordan said she could tell she was reaching burnout when she suddenly felt the work she once loved doing became a burden.
"I was just a little bit less connected, less passionate about things that once fired me up and that I love doing," she explained.
"I felt like it was a drag. I felt like I'd lost my passion, lost my zeal."
Jordan said a huge sign to look out for was reduced interest in something you were once passionate about or similarly if you feel disconnected or have a lack of initiative from those things.
Fatigue and exhaustion
The second sign of impending burnout is a lack of energy and general fatigue throughout the day.
Jordan said you may feel tired during the day when typically you should be energized, but then you also have a hard time getting restful sleep.
"It's kind of this mismatch of when your energy should be up, usually trouble sleeping and then sluggish or feeling exhausted during the day, waking up not rested."
Reduced performance at work
Jordan then explained that burnout could translate over into your work performance if you suddenly feel unsatisfied with your job.
"So if you're feeling really unfulfilled, really burdened by your work, really just unsatisfied in your work, especially if it is something that once did fill you up or was something you cared about.
"That's something to pay attention to as well."
Brain fog
When she personally experienced burnout, Jordan said she occasionally suffered from brain fog and struggled to concentrate, and advised this was a warning sign.
"You'd just kind of start forgetting things that you wouldn't normally, or you have trouble focusing like you used to be able to focus. You feel distracted.
"Like decisions become overwhelming, any kind of like consistent brain fog that you notice that you didn't have before is also a really big sign to look out for."
Additional signs of burnout
Jordan mentioned that there are two other major signs of burnout to watch out for: a sudden negative mood and an overreliance on caffeine.
She explained that if you start to feel more negative or cynical and it's particularly out of character for you, then that could be a big sign of burnout.
Additionally, Jordan said relying on caffeine too much could be another tell-tale sign.
She gave the example: if you typically enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning then suddenly find yourself needing 5 more cups to make it through the day, then you could be approaching burnout.
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"Taking inventory of what you're consuming and what you're relying on for energy, and if it's not just coming from sleep and food, that's something to pay attention to too."
Luckily, Jordan revealed several techniques for you to be able to reach your goals without hitting that wall.
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