The Two-Minute Burnout Check: Are You Running on Empty?

You know that feeling when you're so tired that even your coffee needs coffee? When every task feels like you're pushing a boulder uphill? If you're nodding along, you might be wondering if you're heading toward burnout – or if you're already there.

I've been in that place more times than I'd like to admit. Running a business, managing a team, serving clients, and trying to maintain some semblance of work-life balance can leave you feeling completely drained. But here's the thing – sometimes we're so caught up in the daily grind that we don't even realize how close we are to hitting the wall.

That's why I want to share something that's been a game-changer for me: the two-minute burnout checkup.

Your Quick Reality Check

This isn't some complicated assessment that takes forever to complete. It's simple, quick, and incredibly revealing. Here's how it works:

Write down how much stress you're experiencing on a scale of 0 to 10 (0 being negligible, 10 being extreme) in each of these six areas:

1. Workload – How manageable is your current workload?

2. Values – How well do you connect with your work on a deeper level?

3. Reward – Are you getting adequate financial and social recognition?

4. Control – How much autonomy do you feel at work?

5. Fairness – Do you feel treated fairly in your workplace?

6. Community – How connected do you feel to your colleagues?

Let me give you a real example from my own experience. During the height of the pandemic, when we were all adjusting to remote work, I might have scored community an 8. It was tough to connect with my team when we weren't sharing the same physical space, and that isolation was taking its toll.

Conversely, I might have ranked workload a 2 because while I had plenty to do, the tasks felt manageable and purposeful.

What Your Numbers Really Mean

Your overall score out of 60 gives you a big-picture sense of where you stand, but here's what's really valuable – looking at each individual category. You'll likely discover that you're thriving in some areas while struggling in others.

And that's actually good news! It means burnout isn't this all-encompassing monster that you can't tackle. Instead, it's made up of specific pain points that you can identify and address strategically.

Turning Insight into Action

Once you've identified your trouble spots, you can create targeted interventions. Scoring high on workload stress? Maybe it's time to delegate more or have that conversation with your manager about priorities. Feeling disconnected from your values? Perhaps it's time to realign your role with what truly matters to you.

In my own business, when I noticed my control score was creeping up, I realized I was micromanaging instead of empowering my team. That insight led to some important changes in how I approached leadership.

Why This Matters More Than Ever

We're living in unprecedented times. The lines between work and life have blurred, expectations have shifted, and many of us are carrying heavier loads than ever before. Regular check-ins with ourselves aren't just nice to have – they're essential.

I recommend doing this two-minute assessment weekly, or at least monthly. Think of it like checking your car's oil – a small investment of time that can prevent major problems down the road.

Your Burnout Prevention Plan

Remember, burnout doesn't happen overnight. It's a gradual process, which means you have the power to catch it early and course-correct. This simple assessment gives you the awareness you need to take action before you're completely depleted.

The next time you're feeling exhausted, don't just push through. Take two minutes, do this check-up, and give yourself the gift of clarity. Your future self will thank you.

What area do you think would score highest for you right now? Sometimes just acknowledging where we're struggling is the first step toward feeling better.

Until next time,