The humbling observation made by an attendee

🤔 "As a pastor, did your own hubris make it more difficult to identify your burnout symptoms?"

🙌 At a recent keynote in Memphis, an attendee got straight to the point with this question.

I stood up straight and looked past her for a moment.

😔 "Did my excessive self-confidence hinder self-awareness?" I rephrased her question.

"Perhaps," I said. "But not in the common sense. I've never been a pray-it-away person. Or a name-it-and-claim-it adherent to the #prosperitygospel. However, I subtly believed I was superior to people who have mental health concerns like depression, anxiety, and burnout. So, to answer your question with one word...

👀 YES

I am not alone.

Doctors and nurses can also play hashtag#healthcarehero and forget their own vulnerability.

🆔 These roles enmesh with professionals' sense of identity.

#Physicians are smart.

#Nurses are strong.

#Clergy are caring people.

But what if my smarts don't solve all the problems? Or my strength gives way to exhaustion. Or others take advantage of my caring nature?

😥 What if the helpers get depressed? Anxious? Burned out?

As our friends in AA know, the first step is admitting you have a problem. Recognizing the symptoms of burnout is a shockingly difficult task. Nearly impossible until we can no longer ignore it.

💓 I didn't recognize my burnout until I was cardioverted (shocked) in the Emergency Room at Parkview Health to reset my heart.

Then, I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

Online tests for burnout are varied and sometimes costly. However, online tests for depression and anxiety are easier to find. I recommend using the tools found on Mental Health America's site.

This week, I spoke twice for the Renal Healthcare Association at Peabody Hotels and Resorts in Memphis, TN.

The audience engaged wonderfully and was kind for two hours. And far and away, the reviews said that my vulnerability, and sharing my story, meant the most to them. 🙌❤️

Therefore, I will practice being vulnerable and honest about how #healthcareburnout has affected me. Hopefully, others will feel seen and encouraged, knowing they are not alone.

❓ Have you ever experienced burnout? How did you recognize it? Share your thoughts and experiences below. Let's start a conversation on #SelfCare and #MentalHealthAwareness.