Burnout: The Slow Burn You Don’t See Coming
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It sneaks in quietly under the disguise of “just one more project,” “just one more late night,” or “I’ll rest after this busy stretch.” It’s the fatigue you ignore, the spark that fades so slowly you forget what feeling energized even feels like.
In leadership, sports, and especially in high-visibility industries like professional hockey, burnout often gets mistaken for dedication. We’re told to push through, grind harder, and wear exhaustion like a badge of honor. But the truth? You can’t lead, create, or perform at your best when you’re running on empty.
What Burnout Really Is
At its core, burnout is emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress and imbalance. It’s not just being tired; it’s being disconnected. From your purpose. From your joy. From yourself.
The World Health Organization defines burnout as a “syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” The symptoms show up differently for everyone, but some common signs include constant fatigue or lack of motivation, irritability and cynicism, decreased productivity or creativity, feeling detached from your work or team, and physical symptoms like headaches, tension, or insomnia.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s not a failure; it’s feedback.
A Real Example: Amanda Arrowsmith on Women In…
In her interview on Women In…, Amanda Arrowsmith, who leads social media for a professional hockey league, opened up about recognizing burnout before it broke her. Instead of walking away from the job she loved, she did something powerful: she advocated.
Amanda made the case to expand her team, to share the load, and to create space for sustainable creativity. That decision didn’t just protect her mental health; it elevated the entire department. Her story reminds us that sometimes the most courageous leadership move isn’t doing more, it’s asking for support.
Steps to Keep Burnout from Owning You
Check your fuel gauge often. Notice when your “drive” feels more like “drag.” Reflect weekly on how your energy feels, not just your output.
Ask before you crash. Burnout thrives in silence. Advocate for what you need—resources, help, boundaries—before it becomes unsustainable.
Redefine success. Productivity isn’t about hours worked; it’s about impact made. Focus on outcomes, not overwork.
Lead by example. When leaders set boundaries, they give permission for their teams to do the same. Culture change starts one “no” at a time.
Remember why you started. Reconnecting to your purpose brings clarity. It helps you see that rest isn’t retreat; it’s refueling for what’s next.
Final Thought
You don’t have to quit your job to recover your energy. But you do have to acknowledge when something’s off and take the bold, sometimes uncomfortable step of changing it.
Burnout doesn’t make you weak. It’s a signal that your passion deserves better conditions to thrive. And as Amanda reminded us, sometimes the most professional move you can make is protecting your own sustainability.
