Course 2: Becoming a 7 Cups Leader - (Discussion #11) Avoiding Burnout

I have learned that I can’t help others umtil I help myself first and make sure I can put energy forward into helping others

I am someone who really prides on taking self-care breaks when it's suitable for me and I have personally encouraged a lot of listener friends to do the same, supported them when they came to me to talk about their burnout.

I can now better understand how burnout is really just chronic stress which makes me want to reflect back on the little stressors I had here and there, to know that slowly it all accumulates and gets to a point that one needs time away. I don't think it's a bad thing though, in fact, I believe it is a very natural thing. We all have a life outside of 7 Cups and sometimes things happen that need our immediate attention.

I learned that it's vital to be at my personal best for both myself and the community. I realize that as much contribution I do here is enough and I don't have to do more for it to matter more. 7 Cups values me as I am and encourages me to improve but not beyond what my potential is. I practice self-care as much as I can and I am glad that no matter what part of 7 Cups we talk about, self-care is mentioned because even the platform realizes how important it is!

You can't give your life more time, so give the time you have, more life.

@Heather225

Please read it through and in the replies, tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

Burnout is unhealthy for an individuals mental, emotional, physical and spiritual health. Self-care is so important. That includes participating in work and activities that you enjoy and also to find a boss that doesn't overwork you.

What I learned, and what I will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout!

I cannot fuel others if my tank is getting empty. So I need to keep a check on my tank and observe if I feel fulfilled or tending-to-be-empty.

If it is tending to be empty any time, I need to take self-care breaks. The self-care break can range from 30 minutes to few days of being completely offline.

I need to keep myself reminded that I need not (and should not) engage in any work which I don't find fulfilling. Compulsion must never drive my engagement, but my inspired enthusiasm.

@Heather225

I learned lots of things and they would be really helpful for me in the future. I learned about the burnout, it's signs and how to overcome it. Moreover, I learned the difference between a good leader and a bad leader. Self Care is really important here as well as in our real life too. Sometimes we don't realize that such things can be really serious and harmful for our health so we self care is really important for our physical as well as for mental health.

For staying healthy and to avoid burnout, it's really important to focus on our self care. If we are feeling depressed, low energy, angry that means we need a self care break. Moreover, we should try to set our boundaries about the online time. Moreover, we should think about our commitments too if it's stressing to support many roles we can connect with community manager to reduce commitments. And we should try to be positive and calm in supporting others.

@Heather225 I have learned that it is important to care for ourselves cause we can not pour out of an empty cup I will establish clear boundaries and take breaks when needed

Tell us what you learned
I learned that some of the major signs of burnout that apply to me are:

• Chronic fatigue
• Insomnia
• Forgetfulness or lack of focus
• Loss of appetite
• Anxiety
• Depression

What will you do to stay healthy and avoid burnout?
I will take time off for self-care and give myself the chance to recharge to stay healthy and avoid burnout. I will make sure I don’t overwhelm myself by taking on too many roles and responsibilities. I will leave roles if I find that I’m overwhelmed.

I have learnt a lot of the main signs of burnout, which I admittedly would not have recognised prior to the slide. To stay healthy and avoid burnout, I will continue to take daily downtime and limit my activity on 7Cups. I will continue to monitor how much I am doing and be sure not to take on too many commitments as this can be more unhelpful than helpful in the long run.

I have learned that self assessment is really important. I think we need to regularly check with ourselves about how we feel.

If we feel any signs of burnout, we should immediately reduce our roles and go on self care breaks. It's vital for our community objectives that we perform upto the mark.

I personally have trouble with it sometimes, when someone needs you and trying to create a boundary. But i need to put myself first so that I can help others better.

@Heather225

Tell us what you learned, and what you will do to stay healthy and avoid burnout

I learned that I have to set boundaries and if I start acting like a bad leader, I have to take more self care breaks, remember why I am volunteering, and communicate with a community manager. In order to avoid burnout, I will take the time to do things I like such as reading a good book, going out on walks, baking, and talking to friends.