New fiscal years always bring changes to culture, people, processes and tools. Don’t you just wish leadership would just leave you alone and let you do your job? How do you de-stress and re-focus so you are bringing your best you to work every day?
Developed a ritual of taking at least a couple days of PTO prior to any upcoming milestone (fiscal year launch, etc.)
It’s a mandatory check-out period. No phone for at least 24 hours.
We need to be able to disconnect without guilt. And I hold myself to that. Or de-stressing doesn’t get achieved.
Simple as that.
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Big question @steven.schneiderman
I may be a bit different than most folks, but I have worked for companies who changed like the tide. As a result, I am come to expect and adapt to change. As they say the only thing constant is change…
That said, I have a very simple playbook that helps be get out of the blocks quickly when org changes are introduced.
Culture change is a bigger beast. Some changes are needed as companies grow and then there are some that are created by bringing in poor leaders. Each one could be a talk track within itself.
If you understand why change happens the psychology of it will fall into place.
To answer your question directly, like @tim.hartwell I always take some down time in the beginning of the fiscal year to recover from the prior FY and gear up for the new FY. I can relax during this time because of the playbook I have used over the years.
Don’t get me wrong…it completely sucks to have to restart with a new list of accounts, new team, new boss, etc every year…oh yeah and have a 9-10 month selling year??? When it comes down to it, as seller we just need to perform.
What reinvigorates me??? the score board is zero across the deck which means new game and new opportunity to be top rep in the company.
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Hm? I think it’s important for all of us to “Reset”, whether it’s on a daily (Workout), weekly (Read something relevant to health), monthly (Training), or yearly (Vacay).
I do this regularly to avoid “Burn out”. However, no one is perfect and I’m getting better at this! 
I try to get outside once a day let myself relax for a couple minutes. Also, having small weekend trips planned every other of month helps me me with motivation and burn out.
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Try to avoid burning out at the first place
How? Morning routine before you start the day - Yoga and Meditation - have helped me recharge everyday
2nd - mid day walk in the sun / outside after lunch for a quick 10-15 mins
3rd - if you still burn out, a quick 3 day vacation and disconnect from all things digital can definitely help
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I always start by taking an honest look at my base needs, am I sleeping enough? Am I eating well? Am I working out? When I begin to burn out - these are typically the first habits that begin to slip.
I also try and make sure I’m on top of scheduling things outside of work that brings me joy (concerts, camping trips, sporting events) because even if I feel exhausted at the end of a day’s work, I’ll go out and do something if I’ve already committed to it (and I’ll feel better because of it).
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(1) Drive down 2 hrs to any nearby places and hog on food, (2) Camping type stuff - these are with families
I also do a meditation retreat program - solo, completely off all digital devices including personal phone. That takes me to a diff level!
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+1 on the meditation/wellness retreat. I try to go to one a year and it’s such an amazing reset!
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Bike rides and gym sessions are my fastest path to reset. I need to focus on some kind of repetitive physical motion to get into a new mindset of concentration.
I find that once I do either of those physical activities for a bit, I start to get inspiration about work-related topics organically. It’s like they start to float into my mind once the reset has taken effect.
On the flip side of physical activity, I got into going to massages a year or so ago. Game changer. Nothing quite like it. When I open my eyes at the end of a massage (preferably one with hot rocks) I feel reborn; like a new person.
In a similar arena, meditation-wise I am an advocate for sound baths. Incredibly powerful and transformational. I slipped into some kind of soothing sleep and awoke incredibly refreshed and inspired.
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I think burnout is somewhat inevitable when you have an active family while working full-time. I find that nature helps me the most. Getting on the water does something for my soul. It is a must for me to recenter.
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For me out here in Massachusetts, the water experience is mostly about kayaking.
Kate, do you do the same? Or are you out there swimming/riding in boats?
Paddle boarding is what I love most, but anything on the lake. I live in the the Land of 10,000 lakes!
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I feel refreshed in the short term after some time in the sun, going to the gym, and using a steam room/sauna. Long term it’s nice to have some vacations lined up as something to look forward to and a good opportunity to clear the mind.
I love riding my bike. There’s a really long trail in Minneapolis that empties out into a more wooded area. Can’t hear the city at all, and close by to a small lake where you can watch the local wildlife. Places like that are great to pause and re-center yourself!
Plan 2 vacations at the beginning of the year. 1 in the first half, 1 in the second. Not necessarily big vacations, but ones that check various boxes (mix of relaxation and activities.) Having a specific destination well in advance in each half helps me stay motivated and focused. This half it’ll be Hawaii. Anyone been?
@Rupert I couldn’t recommend Hawaii enough… what a place.
I spent most of my time there on Kauai. Most memorable spots (in my opinion) were Waimea Canyon, Poʻipū Beach Park, and the Kalalau Trail.
I hopped over to the island of Oʻahu to visit the Kualoa Ranch. Absolutely loved that.
Also, the Aulani resort (operated by Disney) is a great family destination.
Enjoy!