by Cari Cole

It happens to the best of us at some point. Burnout.

The important thing is to spot it. Most of us keep plugging away unaware that we are not operating on all cylinders and only making matters worse.

Then come the bigger problems made by bad decisions and lack of clarity that accompany burning out.

Here’s how to recognize the signs of music burnout and some helpful tips to retrieve your soul and sanity as quickly before more harm is done!

1. Nothing or No One is “Good Enough”

Ever feel like you never seem to get to the place where you a) have enough help or b) have the right team? That somehow no one around you is “doing it right?” Well the “nothing is ever good enough” syndrome often befalls a musicpreneur on the journey, but is especially heightened during burnout. It is often one of the first signs that something is wrong. It’s human nature to blame others first.

Solution: Fess up. It’s all your fault (kind of joking, kind of not). When you are a leader you are responsible for everything that happens in your world. Then smarten up and take a break. Go do something un-music related to renew your source of inspiration and reflect on how to have more compassion, direct people with more vision and maybe even hire smarter.

2. Simple Tasks Take Longer

One of the first signs of burnout is that simple tasks like writing an email or blog or making a decision take much longer than usual.

Solution: Take more breaks throughout the day. Don’t try to force yourself to work straight through the day without some fresh air. Try starting your day with yoga or meditation instead of reaching for your laptop.

3. You Are Increasingly Impatient

You want everything done yesterday (mostly born of self imposed deadlines that are just so you can feel better about yourself). Nothing is a faster reminder that you are on the edge of burnout than a rising frustration. Usually formed by your own internal pressure or dissatisfaction with the way things are moving along (or not moving along).

Solution: Admit you are frustrated. It seems banal, but admitting you are frustrated is key to releasing it. Then make a promise to yourself to reset priorities and refocus on your next steps, after you’ve taken a day off to recharge.

4. You Set Unreasonable Deadlines

You set unreasonable deadlines as if to force yourself (and your team) into submission. Ugh. You won’t do your best work that way. Set your calendar accordingly to what is humanly possible and work with time on your side.

Solution: Work on believing in yourself more. Don’t freak out when there isn’t a lot “happening” on the calendar. Don’t be fooled into thinking that “busy work” is taking you somewhere. Develop a stronger work ethic on a daily, weekly basis and set up deadlines for you and your team that make sense. Great projects and successful ones are planned out over time, not thrown together at the last minute.

5. You Have a String of Bad Luck, Lost Opportunities or Fallouts

When you have a string of bad luck or missed opportunities, the best way to deal with that is to take responsibility. Often times we can’t see it at the moment, but in hindsight there is always clarity on what pieces could have been in place to support you more. it is usually a series of bad decisions and missing foundational systems that ends us up here.

Solution: Work on setting up better communication from you and your company like automatic responses to inquiries letting them know you’ll get back to them soon (or how to reach you in the case of an urgent matter). Make it easy for others to work with you. Take time out every Sunday to prioritize the week ahead and a monthly and quarterly review to plan in stages.

Also try upping your nutrition with organic whole food supplements, daily veggie juice and working out regularly (yoga is the balm)! Stress creeps into our lives and steals our best intentions!! Try baths before bed (with epsom salts and lavender essential oils) for an extra stress dissolver!! You arise grateful and renewed!