Burnout to Balance: Reignite by Reconnecting
How many times have you found yourself running on empty, pushing through the exhaustion because your business needs you to keep going? Be…
How many times have you found yourself running on empty, pushing through the exhaustion because your business needs you to keep going? Be honest — are you burning the candle at both ends, convincing yourself you’ll slow down ‘after this next big project’
You’re not alone. 68% of entrepreneurs report feeling symptoms of burnout, and it’s no surprise — 72% are battling mental health concerns. And if that wasn’t enough, 32% feel completely disconnected from others. You may think you can power through, but here’s the truth: you can’t fight burnout by ignoring it.
The real answer lies in reconnecting — with yourself, with others, and with what drives you.
Arianna Huffington is one of the most powerful business leaders in the media and the co-founder of The Huffington Post, which under her leadership became the second most popular news site in the world. She experienced a significant burnout incident approximately five years after co-founding The Huffington Post.
I had bought into the delusion that in order to be a super founder, I didn’t have the luxury to take care of myself. Then, I was literally diagnosed with burnout. It was unnecessary suffering.
This personal experience led her to realize a crucial truth:
People make the biggest mistakes when they are completely depleted.
Recognizing the importance of self-care, Arianna founded Thrive Global, a company dedicated to combating burnout and promoting well-being.
Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you don’t work with intensity. It’s about refueling, recharging and being at your best.
Drawing from her own journey, Arianna emphasized the significance of downtime for our mental and physical health.
For the human operating system, downtime is a feature, not a bug.
Arianna’s advocacy for a more balanced approach to success has gained significant traction.
Third women’s revolution is about making it clear that we can succeed without burning out and that we don’t have to sacrifice our well-being, our relationships on the altar of success.
She talks about a “three-legged stool” to measure success, emphasizing the importance of health and well-being alongside money and power.
If we sit on the two legged stool of money and power/success, sooner or later we fall off. The third leg of the stool is everything — it’s our health and well-being, our capacity to connect with ourselves and our wisdom, our capacity for a sense of wonder at the mystery of life and giving. These four areas are what make a complete and whole life.
To achieve a complete and whole life, Arianna outlined five critical daily behaviors:
There are 5 critical daily behaviors that affect our health and longevity — sleep, food, exercise, stress management and connection to ourselves and each other.
Burnout isn’t just about working too hard; it’s about living an unbalanced life. When you pour everything into your business without nurturing other areas, like your health, relationships, or personal growth, burnout is inevitable. It’s time to focus on your wheel of life — a complete picture of your life where every area is given its due attention. The more balanced your wheel, the further you’ll go.
5 Takeaways:
Spend Time with Yourself: Your most powerful resource is you. Build an internal connection through self-awareness practices, like meditation or visualization, to avoid losing yourself in the grind.
Nurture Relationships: Relationships are everything. Invest in the people who matter most — balanced relationships give you energy, perspective, and the support you need.
Get the Support You Need: 50% of entrepreneurs lack a strong support system. Whether it’s a coach, a mentor, or a trusted friend, having someone to lean on can make all the difference when burnout looms.
Master Daily Habits: Success isn’t just about work. The right daily habits — whether it’s meditation, nutrition, or movement — give you the energy to sustain your business and avoid procrastination.
Give Back to Society: Success isn’t just about achieving your goals — it’s about contributing to others. Giving back to your community fuels a deeper sense of fulfillment and purpose.
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