Leadership isn’t child’s play. It is a serious business. And there is no wonder if leaders feel worn out, at times.
As a leader, you must have experienced this yourself. Many times, it is not a dearth of things that causes this condition but an abundance of diverse kinds of choices and resources that demand your utmost attention all at once in every area!
How do you handle this? How do you keep your head up in such a stormy season? Here are five things to consider.
- Know that you are not alone. There are others involved in this endeavor along with you. You have a team. Even if you have no team, still you are not alone. Many others like you have gone through the same stormy waters. Knowing that you are not alone or new in this storm is such a freeing thought!
- Tell others you need help. This may seem so obvious, but many leaders do not do this. They know that they need help. They yearn for someone to discover their mess and come rushing to help them. But, unfortunately, rarely does someone come to help. Do you know why? Simply because they have not asked for help. Let not pride stop you from asking for the much-needed help.
- Delegate, please. Delegation is not a mistake. It is not an easy way out. It is not escaping your responsibility. It is not about opting for third-class work. It is all about getting the right job to the skilled people to do it. They can do it well. With more practice, they can do it better. And when you delegate, pressure loses its power on you.
- Create good boundaries. All of us need it in every area of our lives. That includes our careers too. About your daily work, decide when you will work and when you will stop working. When the time crosses the red mark, stop. You may have a truckload of work still. But stop. You can do that work tomorrow because more trucks will come anyway! Seriously, good boundaries are meant to be kept, not ruined.
- Quit, positively. Yes, I intentionally put this as the last item. When you feel worn out, this is supposed to be the last resort, not the first. It is okay to quit if it threatens your very existence. You see, your life is greater and nobler than your career. Your career is meant to support your life and bring meaning, joy, and purpose to your existence on earth, not vice versa. And if your career sucks out your life, there is a red signal. That is where the positive quitting option comes on stage.
So, here is the good news for leaders: if you are worn out, there is a way out. Don’t give in to it. Cheer up!
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