Culture Care #4 – All burnt!

All Burnt !

The Urgency of Preserving Your Energy

“It’s not by working more that we achieve more, but by preserving our energy for what really matters.” – Arianna Huffington

Last week, I was leading an executive committee meeting. I greeted one of the directors I know well and asked how he was doing. “Honestly,” he replied with a resigned look, “I came back from vacation three weeks ago, and I’m already burned out!” Nods of agreement spread around the table. The fall season had barely started, it was only September 20th, and they were all already exhausted. The benefits of summer were long gone…

And I kept hearing the same thing all week with every client and colleague.

But why are we always so tired? Especially just a month after the holidays?

Stress is often called “the illness of the century,” and rightly so. Burnout is one of its consequences. But this recurring fatigue also comes from an overly intense pace, working conditions that damage our health, and unhealthy corporate cultures and beliefs that persist.

Isn’t it time we questioned our relationship with work?
Our management cultures?
Our relationship to our own bodies, which we so often silence?

Why do we let fatigue take root so quickly?

We burn out because we think the game is about speed: we must be fast and efficient.
But NO—the real game is endurance.

And to run the marathon of the year, we must learn to manage our energy over time, like all great athletes. A sprint is fine—but only for a short period: prepare, run, recover.

In today’s professional world, where workload and pressure keep rising, energy management has become a key skill for everyone. To perform well while avoiding burnout, we must learn how to preserve our energy and sustain our motivation.

Your first responsibility at work—whether you’re a manager or not: take care of yourself.

Burnout: shall we talk about it openly?

Burnout has become a major issue in the workplace. According to the WHO, in 2022 nearly 60% of workers worldwide felt close to burnout. In France, a 2023 Malakoff Humanis study revealed that 34% of employees have experienced burnout during their career. Managers are especially at risk: 40% of executives report high stress levels, making them particularly vulnerable (OpinionWay Institute). Mental overload, constant responsibility, and performance pressure only add fuel to the fire.

In short: we’re burning out.

The good news—yes, there is always some!—is that we can learn how to manage our energy effectively and sustainably at work. This is one of the main topics I address with organizations today: how to better preserve, boost, and channel energy to maintain health and motivation. Sadly, it’s still a topic too often overlooked.

So today, I’d like to share some insights on energy.

The 4 types of energy we must preserve and activate:

1. Physical Energy (BODY): the vitality that flows through your body, fueled by food, sleep, and movement.

2. Emotional Energy (HEART): shaped by your emotions; drained by negative ones (anger, frustration), strengthened by positive ones (joy, gratitude).

3. Mental Energy (MIND): linked to thoughts; weakened by overthinking and negative self-talk, boosted by positive and constructive thinking.

4. Spiritual Energy (MEANING): the alignment between body, heart, and mind—when we live in harmony with our values and purpose. This is the energy that makes us enthusiastic, fulfilled, and excited to get out of bed in the morning.

Take one minute to reflect:
👉 How are you caring for these 4 energies in your daily life?
👉 Which area offers you the most room for improvement?

5 keys to staying healthy and effective in the long run:

1. Prioritize physical well-being: sleep, nutrition, movement.

• Rest is non-negotiable. Without sleep, your brain cannot make sound decisions or solve complex problems. Harvard estimates that sleep deprivation costs U.S. companies $63.2 billion annually in lost productivity.

• Eat balanced, nourishing food. Watch out for the coffee trap: one cup may wake you up, but too much creates nervous tension that eventually depletes you.

• Move your body. Regular physical activity reduces stress and lowers burnout risk by 43% among managers (APA). It doesn’t need to be intense—just a 10–15 min daily walk can recharge your energy.

2. Manage your time = manage your energy.

• Learn to say no. Too many commitments drain your mental resources.

• Delegate. Trust your team.

• Schedule breaks: think “pit stops” like in Formula 1—small, medium, and long—to refuel before you crash.

• Stop multitasking: Stanford research shows it cuts productivity by 40% and tires your brain.

3. Manage emotional energy.

• Practice emotional awareness—90% of top leaders have high emotional intelligence (TalentSmart).

• Set boundaries: disconnect after hours. Protect your personal time.

• Manage stress: learn tools, seek support, train yourself.

• Find support: from mentors, coaches, or trusted colleagues.

4. Nurture long-term motivation and engagement.

• Reconnect with your why. Employees who find meaning at work are 3x more engaged and 63% less likely to burn out (Gallup, 2023).

• Keep learning. Growth fuels energy and prevents stagnation.

5. Be a role model.
“Taking care of yourself is not a luxury—it’s a necessity to be effective and sustainable in your work.” – Jon Kabat-Zinn

When you care for your own energy, you set an example for your team. Encourage them to pause, to manage stress, to protect balance.

Taking care of yourself = being responsible and professional. Period.

Conclusion: Prevention first!

Self-care must come first.
By taking preventive measures, adopting healthy habits, and fostering a balanced work environment, you not only lower burnout risks but also improve performance, well-being, and collective motivation.

Remember: stress is contagious… but so is positive energy!

Manage your energy wisely, and you won’t burn out after 3 weeks—you’ll stay motivated and resilient.

Focus your energy, time, and attention on what truly matters. Don’t waste it on things that drain you without meaning.

“Your energy is your most precious resource. Take care of it. Don’t waste it on what doesn’t feed your spirit (and your heart).” – Denzel Washington

Take care of yourself,
Alice

Alice Vivian
Founder, Mojom

Would you like to train your managers in self-care and care management? Or train your teams in time, stress and energy management at work? Contact me!

The Power of Human Energy: Angela Ahrendts at TEDxHollywood