3 Things that Help When You Feel Depleted

photo by farooq kahn

Running on fumes? Here’s how to replenish.

Stretch your boundaries! Push yourself! Step out of your comfort zone! Do you ever feel like all you ever hear is “do more do more do more”?

I’m all for getting out of your comfort zone. When you’re bored, stuck, or down in the dumps, take some risks and make some changes. And if you’re in leadership, moving forward is part of the job description. Leaders go first, often into unchartered territory.

But this year, it’s ALL unchartered territory. Everything is new and different or completely upside-down. You’re getting kicked right out of your comfort zone on a daily basis whether you like it or not! Sometimes, that’s good. It can shake you up and open your eyes to new opportunities and possibilities. Great ideas, innovation, and inspiration often come from times of flux. Unending change and crises, though, lead to burnout, breakdowns, and depression.

When you step (or are kicked) outside your comfort zone, you need courage. Courage is like a muscle: you can build it; you can strengthen it. You push yourself a little past your capability and over time you get stronger. And more courageous. But also like a muscle, extended overuse will give you an injury. It’s great to step outside your comfort zone, but you can’t live there. At best, you deplete yourself…