Feel The BURN…OUT
Chances are if you’ve worked in the service industry for more than one summer… you take on other people’s problems as your own, you’ve missed out on precious family/friend time because you “had” to pick up a shift, or you’ve taken 400 mg of caffeine to the face only to be more tired than you were before—you might understand how complex, sneaky, and detrimental burnout can be to you and everyone around you.
Burnout isn’t just feeling tired or stressed when you’re at work.
Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and often physical exhaustion brought on by prolonged and repeated stress that can cause extreme fatigue, loss of energy, and lack of motivation to do even the simplest activities of daily living. An unknown author once described burnout as what “happens when you avoid trying to be human for too long.”
I don’t know about you, but after about the 34th “what’s going on everyone? Welcome to my hell. My name is Ryan. What can I start you off with this evening?”, I start wondering when someone is going to change my batteries and reprogram me with something different to say. Because of our long hours, exposure to the elements, inconsistent sleep and eating patterns, constant interaction with the public, and not to mention our livelihood being in the hands of complete strangers who can stiff you and subjectively decide what you’re worth to them no matter how hard you work….we in the service industry are at a high risk of mental health issues, with BURNOUT being at the top of that list.
This “repeated stress” is caused when the body pumps us full of cortisol (the stress hormone) in response to what it perceives as triggers.
For example: if you got weeded one time because the service printer went bananas in the middle of the rush while Karen and her army of sunburnt minions were bitching about not having free refills on their Shirley temples, your brain remembers that and puts you into fight or flight mode next time the printer goes off to make sure it doesn’t happen again!
As I’ve mentioned, working in this industry already increases your odds of experiencing burnout at some level, but your nature and nurture can play a big role in it as well. If you are a people pleaser, or a “yes man/woman”, it’s likely that you may find yourself overwhelmed and constantly feeling like you’re just treading water to stay afloat.
On the other hand, if you are someone that would rather just do it yourself vs putting it on a co-worker, or you feel guilty for not picking up that shift—then I’m sure you come from a long line of people who wear their effort, work ethic, exhaustion, and hours logged on the job as a badge of honor. Just like myself. It took me a while to realize that I had adopted this mindset because it’s what I thought “the grind” was all about.
I didn’t understand that I had mistaken being BUSY with being PRODUCTIVE.
Beyond The Bar was born from ‘burnout.’ I spent years burned out from working 3 jobs thinking that if I just kept hustling and working harder, that somehow the opportunity to get off this hamster wheel of life would come to me. My AH-HAH moment came to me around the time when Anthony Bourdain committed suicide. I realized that these issues don’t just go away by working through them or ignoring them. More importantly, I realized I wasn’t alone in this industry feeling this way.
So, if this is you and you found yourself nodding your head in agreeance up until this point, here’s the “now what?!
HOW TO REIGNITE YOUR FIRE AND FIGHT BURNOUT!
1. Create Some Self Awareness
There’s a reason why this is the first lesson we teach in our group coaching programs. If “knowledge is power,”self awareness is your super power against your triggers, negative thinking patterns, and in recognizing the signs and symptoms of when you are spiraling down into a rut.
2. Be a Leader, Not a Captain
Unless you’re the owner, when things are going to shit, you don’t have to go down with the ship. You cannot be responsible for absolutely everyone’s issues and attitudes —co-workers or guests.
3. View Your Mental Health Like Your Physical Health
On your off days, you’ll want to make sure you’re doing activities that refill your cup not drain it more. Hydrate, rest, get a massage, stretch, light exercise, and EAT!
Take a break from technology and blue light, set healthy boundaries with people so you aren’t tempted to self sabotage, limit your decisions that need to be made, and do something fun and creative.
4. Plan Your Financial Goals:
Knowing Exactly When You NEED to Pick Up Versus Insecurities and Feelings of Scarcity.
We are all guilty of this at one time or another. The feeling of panic after you’re scheduled 3 shifts, followed by the SOS message of “AVAILABLE TO PICK UP WHENEVER”. Only to regret it 4 days later as you complain to everyone how exhausted you are.
Do yourself a favor: count your money and build a budget. You cant live a life of abundance if you’re constantly freaking out about money.
To learn more about how you can prevent burnout and change your status from surviving to THRIVING, turn on your notifications for @BTBunited and be on the look out for our next group coaching program launching in September! Let us help you level up your life Beyond The Bar.
***PSA- If you or someone you know struggles with anxiety, depression, burnout or any mental health issues, we want you to know that you’re not alone. We hope that this blog and the action steps below help and that you share it to help others, but most importantly that you reach out to us @BTBUNITED on IG and drop us a line so that we can help you through your time of need.***