In this space, we’ll share exciting company updates, highlight upcoming appearances by our founder, Julius Thomas, M.S., and delve into various topics in the mental performance realm. At Optimal Performance, we’re dedicated to bridging the gap between peak performance and personal wellbeing, leveraging science to unlock human potential.
As we explore the intricacies of mental performance, we’ll provide insights on how to enhance individual and organizational wellness, foster strong team dynamics, and cultivate self-aware leadership. Join us on this journey as we empower individuals and organizations to thrive in both their professional and personal lives, redefining success to encompass well-being alongside achievement.
With that being said, let’s get started!
Burnout
The Harvard Business Review article titled “Burnout Is About Your Workplace, Not Your People” argues that burnout is a systemic issue caused by poor organizational practices rather than individual resilience. It highlights six key factors contributing to burnout: unsustainable workload, perceived lack of control, insufficient rewards, absence of community, lack of fairness, and mismatched values. The article emphasizes the need for employers to help address these systemic issues rather than solely focusing on fixing the individual. Thoughts from Julius below:
Mental performance can help address workplace burnout by equipping individuals with the tools to regularly assess their mental/emotional state, identify problem areas, and implement strategies for recovery. Optimal Performance helps professionals prevent or recover from burnout by offering science-based frameworks that enable them to understand and follow healthy living recommendations that have been shown to reduce risk of burnout. In simpler terms, Optimal Performance does the hard work of reviewing research and health science, designing solutions for today’s working professionals, and delivering practical, day-to-day practices that individuals can use to protect themselves from the devastating effects of burnout.
Workload management is one of the most challenging psychological health issues many U.S. employees face during their careers. We’ve all experienced the pressure and stress caused by overwhelming work demands. Year after year, technology improves and organizational efficiencies increase, yet workers continue to feel they are on the edge of what they can endure. According to a Harvard Business Review article on burnout, an unmanageable workload is among the top five reasons for burnout. This makes sense from a health science perspective because chronic stress, regardless of its source, is harmful to both short- and long-term human health and wellbeing. It is crucial for employees, managers, and executives to understand that the feeling of an unmanageable workload is a significant stressor that can severely impact individual wellbeing.
The key to mitigating burnout in high-pressure environments is for professionals to recognize the importance of balance—specifically, balancing their mood, work, and recovery practices. For example, an individual may leave work feeling stressed and overwhelmed, which is common, but how many people would recognize the need to counterbalance that stress by engaging in relaxation practices? When a person is under intense work stress, which can lead to chronic stress and negative emotions, it is vital to increase activities they find enjoyable and relaxing in order to maintain balance. Unfortunately, many people make the mistake of ignoring their inner challenges and suppressing unpleasant feelings by engaging in unhealthy behaviors. We often cope with work stress by suffering in silence, shopping, zoning out in front of the TV, abusing substances, or seeking high-adrenaline activities. What would be more beneficial are practices like meditation, deep breathing, journaling, cold plunges, and sharing challenges with a supportive person or group. At Optimal Performance, these practices are what we encourage individuals to adopt in their personal time to positively impact their wellbeing.
However, there may not be a one-size-fits-all solution to burnout because it’s not just an individual issue—it’s also a workplace issue. Managing burnout requires both individual efforts and workplace interventions. While individuals bear some responsibility for their wellness practices, workplaces are equally responsible for workload, time demands, a sense of belonging, and attention to psychological wellbeing. Most employees have little control over these factors. The best leaders and companies take responsibility for the workplace environment they create and provide a challenging but supportive atmosphere, committing to the process of maximizing both performance and wellbeing.
Leaders who aim to reduce burnout must start by listening. They need to create opportunities for employees to voice their challenges regarding workplace wellbeing. After establishing a space for open communication, leaders can begin to identify the common factors contributing to psychological strain and take steps to alleviate these stressors. I recognize that addressing these issues may be beyond the expertise of many corporate leaders, in which case it’s essential to collaborate with experts who can align corporate performance goals with the science of wellbeing. This process should be seen as a win-win: by improving the conditions that lead to burnout, one of the most costly losses of productivity in today’s corporate environment, companies foster greater focus, team camaraderie, and overall performance. Optimal Performance helps leaders and employees achieve a balance between wellbeing and high performance, benefiting both the organization and its people.
Upcoming Events
- Julius will be presenting on Sports Psychology Strategies in Athletes at Nova Southeastern University‘s “Fight Science Camp” on Saturday, October 19th. Check out the link here for more information!
- Julius will be appearing on Zebra Technologies “Chalk Talk” Podcast on Monday, November 4th.
- Julius will be speaking at Compass Real Estate’s Charleston RETREAT on Wednesday, November 13th.