Self-caring or selfish? Resilient leaders know the difference

Attention busy leaders. Putting your needs first isn’t selfish and you SHOULD be doing it. Caring for yourself means you can focus better, solve problems more effectively and thrive under pressure. Successful leaders understand the importance of self-care. It’s difficult to lead others when you don’t care for yourself. Self-care helps you think more clearly. It gives you the ability to deal with stressful situations. Explore the difference between selfish and self-caring. Learn how Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) can help you keep your mind and habits in peak performance mode – without sending you into the territory of stress and burnout.

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Is burnout really job related depression?

Feeling burnt out? Depression may be at the root of the problem. An analysis completed by Swiss scientists found that depression and burnout are closely linked. Depression may lead to burnout and vice versa. In fact, burnout may simply be a form of depression. Understanding the connection between the two makes the situation easier to address.

So, does depression cause burnout? It’s complicated. An analysis of 14 studies completed by Swiss researchers found that burnout and depression share symptoms. Based on their findings, the researchers believe that burnout may not be a distinct syndrome. For it to be a separate syndrome, a mental issue needs to be mostly associated with distinct symptoms.

Researchers identified three specific symptoms of burnout: exhaustion, detachment, and low professional efficacy. Efficacy is your belief in your ability to bring about change. Researchers then reviewed 14 studies involving 12,417 participants. The findings showed that the symptoms of burnout were more closely related to depression.

For example, exhaustion was more closely associated with symptoms of depression than with the other symptoms of burnout. Symptoms of depression include fatigue, low mood, irritability, and interpersonal distancing. People who reported feeling exhausted were more likely to experience these symptoms instead of detachment or low efficacy. This indicates that burnout may not be a separate issue.

The researchers point out that the findings shouldn’t lead people to dismiss burnout. It’s a real issue that likely affects millions of people, especially high achievers. The goal of the research was to help burnout receive the same concern given to depression. The same steps used to combat depression in the workplace may also help fight burnout. The group of researchers recommend that changes to workplace policies may provide relief. However, you also have the power to relieve yourself of stress.

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Positive psychology offers many solutions for combating depression, including NLP. Neuro-linguistic programming involves developing strategies for gaining better control of your emotions. You can fight depression with positivity. High-achieving professionals can benefit from increased mental stamina and resilience. Some of the most common techniques include meta-modelling and reframing.

Meta-modelling helps you question generalisations, distortions, and deletions. These types of thoughts limit happiness and increase anxiety. NLP meta-modelling challenges these thoughts to alter your thinking patterns. Reframing helps you change your perception of specific thoughts or behaviours. For example, you can find hope in previously hopeless situations. You achieve this by positively reframing feelings or events.

Along with meta-modelling and reframing, I’d recommend meditation and relaxation techniques. NLP can help you achieve a more relaxed state. A relaxed mind provides better emotional regulation. You may find the previous techniques easier to practice with a clear mind.

Depression and burnout both lead to detachment, low professional efficacy, and exhaustion. These symptoms also lead to negative thoughts that keep you from finding a way out. I can help you replace negativity with positivity through effective NLP techniques. To learn more, view my one-to-one coaching services and online courses at https://thinklearnsucceed.com.au

Burnout is NOT caused by stress

Attention busy managers. You can thrive despite your high workloads and challenging problems. Being in a demanding job doesn’t mean you’ll burn out. Don’t believe the myth that burnout is caused by stress. Find out what DOES cause it – and how to smart leaders can build mental stamina and thrive.  Hear how to stay motivated and inspired, by using NLP techniques to restore your leadership mojo.

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Is your stress really anticipatory grief?

Stress sometimes comes out of nowhere. You may find that you’ve recently become easily distracted or angry for seemingly no reason. In some cases, this stress may come from grief. Over the past couple of years, the world has experienced collective grief. According to one expert, everyone should understand the stages of grief to better navigate post-pandemic life.

Editors from the Harvard Business Review recently interviewed David Kessler, the leading expert on grief. The article covers Kessler’s thoughts on the importance of acknowledging grief. He points out that grief doesn’t just occur from the death of a loved one. Grief can occur when things in your life change, such as a change of careers. The anticipation of change or loss can also cause grief.

Anticipatory grief is the grief that occurs from the anticipation of loss. It’s a common feeling that typically occurs when the future is uncertain. Kessler believes that everyone should acknowledge the five stages of grief. Denial, anger, bargaining, sadness, and acceptance. Acceptance allows you to move forward with less weight on your shoulders. You can build greater confidence and resilience.

Kessler also explains that anticipatory grief is really just anxiety. You’re anxious about the future. Focusing on the present can help ease these anxieties. He also recommends letting go of what you can’t control. This makes it easier to focus on what you can control in the present.

Along with control, Kessler believes in the importance of compassion. Showing compassion for yourself and others can help reduce fear and grief. It’s also important to keep trying. The stages of grief can occur in any order. There’ll be times when your negative feelings are too great. Instead of falling into a pit of despair, keep showing compassion and control.

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NLP offers several powerful methods for dealing with grief and related symptoms. NLP takes positive psychology to another level by helping you understand and control emotions. You can look for positive outcomes where you previously only saw negative ones. Common techniques for grief, fear, and anxiety include reframing, anchoring, and discovering positive intent.

Reframing is useful for finding opportunities in situations that previously brought grief. You can find the silver lining in anything by reframing it with a positive outlook. With reframing, you identify a thought you want to change. You then look for positive intentions to reframe your thoughts. Anchoring is another technique that puts you in control of your emotions. It is a form of conditioning that helps you trigger specific responses in stressful situations. For example, you can learn to recall a favourite memory when a stressful event occurs.

Fear of losing something can lead to profound stress and limit your mental stamina. NLP provides solutions for dealing with each stage of grief, allowing the stress to melt away. You can learn to let go of the past and gain greater acceptance. To learn more, explore my one-to-one coaching services and online courses at https://thinklearnsucceed.com.au