18 Comments

This theory has so many applications. Recognition that other people work differently is one. I think I’m a gear 2 but I often fill guilty if I’m not stuffing every moment of my 8 hour work day with productivity.

Expand full comment

Your Australian experience sounds great! I think our basic make-up is very much aligned with the natural rhythms. On the other hand city life seems to push too much an us and we fail to say No! often enough. I have not had a burnout but I have been told that I am impatient, stressful and demanding! It seems the way I designed my life was seemingly okay but rushing was still wearing me out --for the standards I myself set as sufficient were actually overpowering! Looking forward to your book.

Expand full comment

Yes I'd agree figen. We've overcomplicated our lives and expectations so our bodies struggle to fit. What do you find works to help with your impatience? I recognise this one well living in London!

Expand full comment

Beautifully explained, Sabrina. I realized I’m more of a springy gear person. But the career I chose is the total opposite of my natural pace. That’s why I had multiple burnouts over the past years. Now I’m trying to take it in my own pace without quitting altogether.

Expand full comment

Thanks for sharing Shanjitha. I found it such a useful way to think about my mental pacing and why I struggle. Sorry you've had multiple burnouts. What's helping you pace yourself now to avoid quitting?

Expand full comment

Prioritizing how and what I work for based on my values. I accept that I can’t have everything on my plate at the same time. So I focus on the most important one. For example, as toddler mom with a small support system, I prioritized my child over my job. I’m doing my own practice to have some control of the time. But the downside of it is that the earning potential is slow to grow. This slowing down for now, helps me prevent burning out.

Expand full comment

The industrial revolution has a lot to answer for! People can't all be meant to work from 9-5 everyday non stop, it doesn't make sense. Doing that leads to burnout, which you so much about Sabrina :-)

I'd love to be a beta reader for your book if you still need any.

Expand full comment

Thanks Wendy! You must see the impact of in from an HR perspective too. Some people can push through the forced structure better than others which impacts their performance.

Would love you to read my ebook draft! Plan to send to beta readers this weekend so I'll drop you the Google doc link. 💜🙌

Expand full comment

Yes, some leaders have unrealistic expectations of their teams. Great, I’ll look out for the book.

Expand full comment

I am a boom/bust woman. I've always been energetic, hyper, with difficulties relaxing. From tomorrow I'm starting to pace myself, to even out my small activities over the day, to see if that works better for less pain with fibromyalgia.

Expand full comment

Oh let me know how it goes Therese. Hopefully that will ease off the pain and stress your body is under. I've been similar too but recognising better how to switch gears to my mood, task or what my body needs

Expand full comment

The gear analogy has got me going.

Whats my top gear?

Wrong gear

Autopilot

Stuck in second

Not getting out of first.

Do we burnout riding the clutch?

Expand full comment

Crashing, colliding, stalling, running up the gutter, going too fast or speeding?

Love this, Julie

Expand full comment

Great questions Julie.

Would be useful to draw these out on a piece of paper and write down what activities align best. That’ll help you see where there’s a mismatch in your day/week etc

Let me know what other ideas you have!

Expand full comment

Love this deep analysis of how our brains work and the fallout if we try and go against the natural grain. Am planning to get out my colouring book when ready to change gears. And deep breathe too. Thanks Sabrina!

Expand full comment

Glad it resonated Jeanette. It’s really got me reflecting on a lot and how to use my gears and mental pace more effectively.

Colouring book is a great next step!

Expand full comment

Reading this, I couldn't help but think about how we've externalized our 'pacemakers.' We've gone from sunrise/sunset to alarm clocks, from natural hunger cues to scheduled meal times. Maybe the burnout epidemic isn't just about how much we work, but about how we work – out of sync with our internal rhythms. It's like trying to dance to a song you can't hear.

Expand full comment

Love this description Alexander - trying to dance to a song you can't hear.

This is exactly it! We're numbing ourselves out and wondering why we feel like rubbish.

I've really noticed a need to be more seasonal and this helps me understand why, and how to adjust better.

Expand full comment