We put a lot of pressure on ourselves these days to make our holidays “perfect.” With Pinterest, Instagram, Martha Stewart, and all the comparison we naturally do - it sometimes feels like we will never measure up. Or… We spend all our time and energy striving to out-do our own childhood; or neighbors; or family members… And it kind of sucks the magic and joy right out of the holiday, doesn’t it?

What is Burnout?  Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion that results from chronic stress and overwork (or overscheduling). It's often characterized by feelings of exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of detachment from one's work, responsibilities, and even the things that bring us joy. Burnout can occur in any area of life, such as work, relationships, or personal life, and can have a significant impact on a person's overall well-being.

We put a lot of pressure on ourselves these days to make our holidays “perfect.” With Pinterest, Instagram, Martha Stewart, and all the comparison we naturally do - it sometimes feels like we will never measure up. Or… We spend all our time and energy striving to out-do our own childhood; or neighbors; or family members… And it kind of sucks the magic and joy right out of the holiday, doesn’t it?

What if there were ways to take care of yourself, tap into what brings you Joy, and still manage to care for those around you?

I’m not suggesting we can do it all… But I am suggesting we can do the things that are most important to us - and let go of some of the others without letting anyone down.

What do you do to recharge each and every day? What do you do to maintain your energy? What do you do to guard your time?

Even in the midst of summer chaos, I find myself looking for challenges and new-ness. I look forward to getting out of my space, my routine, and my comfort zone. I seek new ways to push myself. And this practice energizes me like no other!

Do you ever wake up and wonder “Is this it? Is this as good as it’s gonna get?”

I’ve spoken to several people over the last few weeks who have echoed this sentiment… They’ve met their goals. They have the partner, the kids, the house, the car… They go on vacations and have thriving social circles. It all looks amazing on paper.

But when they lay down in bed at night, they find themselves wondering “Is this all there is?”

Productivity is not about how many things can you get done and check off the list in a day. It's not about how fast you're getting the tasks done. It's not about proving how valuable you are to the world...

It's about moving you toward your purpose. Using your time so wisely that you protect your energy, your resources, and your priorities so that you can use them to create the life that you want.