Recovery Is Part of the Race

"Working long hours is part of what leads to burnout, but it’s not the whole picture. Enduring productivity is often about balancing intense output with periods of regeneration."

- By Adam Bornstein

Q: I'm worried about my employees burning out. What can I do to help?

—Miller, Columbus, Ohio

Instead of thinking about ways to prevent burnout, invert the question. Ask how you can fill your employees with energy, creativity, excitement, and fulfillment.

Why? Because burnout is rarely about hours alone. You need to explore how much you’re draining your employees and how much you’re filling them up.

We must cultivate endurance. As a recovering adherent to the work-all-day and-never-sleep lifestyle, it took me time to realize this. But now I realize that relentless work does not result in maximum output. I want my employees to work hard, care deeply, and push the limits of what they think they can achieve, and that requires a balance between intense work and rest.

Deep wells rarely run dry. Here are a few ways you can help your team feel balanced.

1/ Embrace time off.