Burnout Is Sneaky: Here’s How to Catch It Before It Catches You

It's stunning here in East Tennessee Mountain right now. October’s fall colors, jeweled tones of crimson and gold remind us of nature’s cycles of renewal. Yet too often, leaders miss the chance to pause, reflect, reset, and recharge—until burnout forces them to stop.

Unlike a sudden health crisis, burnout creeps in gradually. By the time you notice the smoke, the fire has already taken hold.

But if you know what to look for—and put the right practices in place—you can catch burnout before it consumes you.

Here Are Some Early Signs of Burnout:

• Waking up tired, no matter how much sleep you get.

• Frequent illness, chronic fatigue, or “seasonal” sicknesses that linger.

• Foggy thinking, lack of creativity, or trouble focusing.

• A deep sense of wanting to escape.

• Feeling emotionally drained and reactive.

For women leaders, burnout can be even harder to recognize, because symptoms are often mislabeled as “just hormones” during transitions like menopause. In reality, what’s being stifled is your intuitive, creative, spiritual powerhouse.

Here's How to Catch Burnout Before It Catches You

1. Run the 'Powerhouse' Check-In

Each week, assess these four areas:

• Mental powerhouse: Am I clear or scattered?

• Physical powerhouse: Am I energized or depleted?

• Emotional powerhouse: Am I resilient or reactive?

• Spiritual powerhouse: Do I feel aligned with purpose, or cut off?

Even one neglected powerhouse is a sign to slow down and reset.

2. Apply the P.I.L.O.T. Method Daily

This holistic reset protocol prevents leaders from drifting into exhaustion:

• P – Presence: 3 minutes of mindful breathing morning and night.

• I – Intention: Focus on one core priority instead of scattering energy.

• L – Lighten Up: Drop perfectionism and delegate.

• O – Observer: Catch patterns—late nights, skipped meals, endless scrolling—before they spiral.

• T – Tools: Lean on supportive tools like journaling, nourishing food, movement, and meditation.

3. Choose Real Renewal, Not Escape

True recovery doesn’t come from numbing out with Netflix or scrolling. It comes from activities that restore energy:

• Holotropic breathwork

• Yogilachi practice (a blend of yoga, Pilates, and tai chi)

• Whole-food detox and nourishing meals

• Creative play (art, music, or mindful coloring)

• Or just walking in nature with no agenda and no digital devices

4. Reset With the Seasons

Burnout builds up over time. That’s why I recommend seasonal resets—aligned with nature’s cycles—to clear what’s accumulated and prepare for what’s ahead. October is the perfect time for a fall reset: a detox, a transformation program, or simply a personal wellness retreat you create right at home.

Burnout doesn’t have to be inevitable. By checking in with your powerhouses, practicing P.I.L.O.T. daily, choosing renewal over escape, and aligning with seasonal resets, you can prevent burnout before it takes root.

When your head, heart, body, and soul are in harmony, your leadership becomes not only sustainable—but unstoppable.

Next Steps:

• Join the Executive Energy Reset – Free Workshop, October 16th REGISTER HERE

• Explore the 10-Day Detox (group or self-paced) HERE

• Apply for the Powerhouse Leader Program (2 spots left for 2025) HERE