Every Cloud has a silver lining – you may just need to find it!
Sometimes when we are so dedicated and focused on our vision, we can get overwhelmed and that can lead to us burning out. This is not me saying don’t be dedicated to a vision – we need to be focused, we need passion, we need drive, and overall we need dedication. It’s true that all these combined can and do bring about positive results. But we have to ask ourselves – is it realistic to really keep all this going at all times?
We have to bear in mind that we are, after all, human. Sometimes literally just pushing through over and over again is simply not realistic. Instead it’s important to stop and to step away and to change our perspective.
Change your perspective
Changing your perspective is a powerful tool. It Is my experience that driven people can often drive themselves to complete burnout. They keep on pushing through. Sometimes people are so driven that they will grab every single hour that time throws at them. And ultimately the aim is to be productive, but the drive is causing them to be non-productive. Instead they can end up becoming ill and unable to cope. This can lead to living in a vicious circle – once they do recover they feel they now need to recover their lost time at work. So they continue the vicious circle once again.
The need for Focus
In my own work I need to be driven, and I need to be focused. As a performer and entertainer I deliver shows and am well aware that the people who book me are not concerned at how I feel.
No matter how I feel inside – I smile and I deliver high-powered performance. I know that whoever booked me is simply not interested in how I feel – he or she is paying me to deliver my best and that is what I aim to do.
I am also a coach and a trainer and from that setting I’m also aware that it’s important to keep on with my own self-development and to keep learning – learning is the best way forward.
At times I have to remind myself that I need to change my perspective. I’m very fortunate as I have a camper van, that I’m very proud of because it is self built. This enables me to get away and go off to beautiful places. I am able to change my perspective by literally jumping into my camper van and driving off.
Return to your happy and productive place
Whatever works for you and what ever is within your capability at the time – it is important to give yourself time and to change your perspective. Perhaps you can go for a walk, perhaps you could practice some form of meditation that allows you to step away from your current work, or perhaps you deserve just a good old-fashioned, break or holiday getaway. What is important is that you do it.
If you want to be effective in your life, work and play you need to give yourself a change of perspective. The movie Dead Poets Society with Robin Williams performing as a professor. There is a point in this film that the professor stands up onto his desk. The lesson plan is that he is trying to convey to his students that their best learning development is when they get different perspective on things – and he stood up on his desk as a literal example of having a look at things in a different way.
Literally changing your perspective can change the way you see and do things. It can change your entire approach. It can recharge your batteries, re-energise you, and you will be more able to apply that new perspective and new energy back into your work, life and play.
A change is as good as a rest
In my experience change can be as a good as a rest – yet initiating change can be difficult as the fear of change can hold us back, so try not to over think this. In other words, when you can’t see that silver lining in the cloud, don’t give yourself a hard time – remind yourself this is normal! You are after all human. Instead reward yourself by changing your perspective, step away and re-evaluate what you doing and give yourself that well deserved alternative perspective.
- It could even start with you standing on your desk,
- Going for a walk
- Talking to a friend of finding yourself a coach.
- Taking a break or stepping away from your workload.
- Doing something you have never done before.
Whatever works for you, an alternative perspective is at hand.
Mario Morris
Professional coach, trainer and international entertainer
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