You’ve been gliding along, making great progress on your projects and intentions.  Then you notice you are much less interested in everything that only a week ago seemed very appealing and you have a lot less energy.  If you have gone through a major burn-out, you may be particularly concerned.  Lack of interest and energy are two key signs of burn-out.  However, let’s not leap to conclusions.  Let’s take a look at the facts.

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What has been your pace over the last couple of weeks?  The Diva of Delight* has been in charge for much of my last week, and she had me writing blogs, newsletters, speeches, etc.  She also chose to show up engaged in her volunteer and personal life so it was a” full-tilt-boogey” week.  Then she wonders why on Monday she had energy to celebrate but not for much else.  The good news is that the Diva and I did celebrate!

Celebrate. Without the pause to celebrate, it can be easy to feel like you are in a gerbal’s cage, moving quickly but getting nowhere.  Celebrate who you were being that helped you accomplish what you did. Notice if that is who you want to be going forward.  Celebrate, too, what you accomplished.  What made those accomplishments particularly satisfying?  With that sweet savoring, you can now pause and decide…

What next?  That’s the good news, you do have a lot of control over who you are being as you move forward. Yes, there may still be plenty on your plate, but look at the bigger picture.  Who do you want to be, doing what you do?  If you start from a place of resignation, everything will be much harder.  If you start from a place of curiosity, “Who can I be…more easy going, gentler? What can I do to provide some extra ‘comforts’ for myself this week as I strategically accomplish key activities?”, you are much more likely to get back to a pace you can more easily sustain.

Put “comforts” in place for this week and the future.  The Diva of Delight wants her comforts now, so I mixing up my schedule this week and allowing for some more relaxed days as well as full ones.  This morning, I took a more leisurely start on the day rather than popping out of bed with a checklist in mind.  That approach actually led to more creativity.  This week I am leaving a couple of nights open, to simply be.  I have a hot stone massage I can take advantage of this week or next. Also, I will set up a weekend soon to go visit a friend.  Ahhh, I feel better already knowing that I have plans!

What’s up for you?

- If renewal is in order for you, how will you do it?
- Who do you want to include in your plans to make them most refreshing and enjoyable?

*The Diva of Delight is that part of my way of being that is filled with wonder, optimism and a sense of adventure.