Discovering Creativity in Burnout
February 14th marked the first anniversary of my leap from traditional employment to full-time entrepreneurship. It’s not the year any of us expected, but my cup is still filled with gratitude. But it’s not all puppies and rainbows over here… this year has been hard.
In the past few weeks, most (if not all) of my clients have prioritized addressing burnout. Fatigue has set in — and not just on Zoom, in our day-to-day existence, as well. We no longer benefit from the cognitive separation from work that a previously maligned commute provided. The news we ingest is emotionally charged. Many have stockpiled vacation days, but with nowhere to go, have yet to really step away in close to a year.
The good news is, tapping into our creativity (even when we’re drained) is still possible. Beyond getting proper rest, a healthy diet and regular exercise, here are some creativity hacks to try when we’re feeling overwhelmed.
1. Connect to purpose. Surrender to this guiding force. Consider… How does my work link to my personal values? What impact do I want to have on those around me… and the world? How might I bring more of that intention into my daily work? For me, this anchor helps with the discomfort of saying “no” to work projects that don’t align with my core focus.
2. Time travel. Take a moment to imagine your future self 5 years from now. Consider… What did I learn in the age of COVID-19? How did I show up for myself back in 2021? How was I able rediscover my creativity and sustain my resilience? We all have inner wisdom, but sometimes we need to ask ourselves for it directly.
3. Ditch perfectionism. These aren’t normal times. It’s unrealistic to ask yourself to produce the same work product in the same way under these conditions. Start with a clean slate, then slowly rebuild your priorities. Consider… What’s the number one priority in my work that also gives me energy? How can I spend more time on that meaningful work? What energy-taking activities can I reduce or eliminate?
4. Immerse yourself in a non-work task. Dance to music. Bake a cake. Color with markers. I don’t create these moments as often as I should, but when I consciously engage a new part of my brain — even sitting down with my kids to do a jigsaw puzzle — it helps jumpstart my creative process. The work is still there when I return to it, but I bring a fresh perspective.
5. Notice your senses. Burnout lives in our bodies. Tune in to what you’re experiencing. Becoming more aware of how stress manifests physically can signal when it’s time to shift the energy or take a break. In business, we place a ton of weight on data and analytics, but sometimes we still need to listen to our gut.
Creativity starts with a mindset. We may all access our creativity in different ways, but we can begin with the belief that creativity is possible, even when facing burnout. These circumstances are temporary. Connecting with my purpose, friends and loved ones fills my creative cup. It helps me bring more love to work and create boundaries to step away from it. And after the year we’ve all had, our creativity can been a lifeline.
I’m on a mission to cultivate creativity at work. With a background in the arts and 15+ years building businesses and strengthening high growth company cultures, I partner with companies who are committed to inspiring more innovation, connection and inclusion at work. Spring Street delivers culture strategy, workshops and leadership programs to promote a culture of creativity.
