You Don't Have to Choose: More From Career and Life

You’re not alone when you say, “I’m burned out!” The 33M women in the workforce in leadership can attest to the demands that come with a professional role and the strain it can have on home life, family care, and maintaining self-care. Maybe you’ve faced bias or a lack of support as you’ve matriculated through your career and this adds pressure to a notion of showing up perfect and ready to prove who you are and what you're capable of. The pandemic has intensified this. Some days can truly feel surreal.

But, honestly your perseverance and resilience is commendable. Can we just pause for a moment and acknowledge that! Give yourself grace and know those feelings of anxiety, stress, and questioning thoughts of whether it’s all worth it, are not you being weak or just a moment of reflection. Rather, they’re very real and that’s ok. I get it and I’ve been there myself.

Professional women that can acknowledge the burnout and desire for wanting more from their career and life, are better off and in position to clear the fog and press onward. I can’t say it enough, you’re not in this marathon alone.

Many ambitious, professional women like yourself, in fact 50% of working women today, are saying they need a change.

Burnout is a real issue, especially for women of color who make up 30% of working women in leadership.

You’re full!!

There’s nothing like being full of ambition and having so much to give yet, weighted down personally and professionally and actually hindering yourself from showing up and having the impact you really want to have in this world.

You want change and that looks different for everyone but for many, it’s a transition from where you are and what you’re doing to new forms of leadership, or to ownership and entrepreneurship, or pursuit of a side hustle that’s been a daydream these past few years.

It's a whole different world. This is such a vulnerable place and can even appear foreign, especially when you’re used to being the expert. I recognize that and it’s easy to fall prey to what everyone else thinks and has to say. Again, give yourself grace and come out from underneath all that unnecessary pressure.

What’s most important is that women like yourself manage their burnout and gain control over their career and life! It’s important that you don’t give up on yourself and ambition does not become disillusioned from setbacks, discouragement, or a mere weariness amidst the hustle and grind. You are extremely valuable and we all are better off when you are well and thriving!

The drop-off of women in the workforce is large. 52% of women of color will consider leaving their job and transition to something new in the next two years. If our working women - you ambitious, professional, leaders - do not transition to what’s next well, we as a society are at risk of losing your creative contributions and the value of your innovative minds.

Four meaningful steps will help to guide you during this pivotal season;

Give yourself grace. I cannot say it enough. There are enough pressures in this world. Give yourself room to breathe during this season and the permission to ask for help. It’s ok to be vulnerable, it’s courageous. Acknowledge this and walk with grace and strength.
Get connected. Look around at your circle. Do you have people and the relationships you need to help grow personally, spiritually, and professionally right now? This is the time to consider your connections, you are growing and stretching. That may mean making it a priority to find a community of others that can understand what you are dealing with and can help with guiding you forward.
See your contributions as extremely valuable. God has given each of us a unique calling. Your creative contributions matter to our society. This is the time to nurture your craft to understand how you can add further value in a meaningful way. This does not mean you have all the answers with a clear roadmap, rather it is an invitation to broaden your thinking beyond an identity you may have been locked into for a long duration.
Prioritize being well. Burnout is real. Stress and anxiety take a toll. Some events and experiences that have happened to us result in trauma. How are you dealing with this? More than exercising and eating smart, your wellbeing is holistic. Make it a priority to develop and manage yourself on a continuum spiritually, mentally, physically, in and through relationships, and financially. You are worth it! It makes no sense to progress professionally and you and your life are falling apart on the side.

I spent too many years trapped in the net of burnout. I believe whole-heartedly in seeing all women progress and realize their fullest potential in career and life. In fact, it’s my life mission. It’s one of the reasons I founded SOMEI. SOMEI (so-me) is a faith-driven platform dedicated to empowering a community of professional Women of Color and equipping them, so they can fulfill their God-given call to creative leadership and make an impact on the world. Is that you?

You Don't Have to Choose: More From Career and Life

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