Nearly all my mental capital these days is being spent on exploring the intersection of belonging and burnout mitigation.
So when I see an article about someone who talks about feeling dejected, overwhelmed, scared, directionless, etc but since has found purpose in belonging with a group? I read carefully.
In other words, here’s another Thought Exercise from me about sports. Knock you all with a feather, I know. (Just wait for the Olympics and know that I apologize for nothing. 😂 )
Sports, Belonging and Burnout Mitigation
Tyler Seguin of the Dallas Stars is a name a lot of hockey fans know well. He’s been around for a minute, he’s had some delightful/hilarious/controversial off-ice shenanigans, and he’s really freaking good on the ice.
In 2021, though, he wasn’t doing mentally great.
“That was a pinpoint of my career and life. I’d just gone through back-to-back surgeries and had six months of sitting on my butt, not really having a good support system… At those times you learn about your own mindset and my own mental side of being a human, an athlete and growing as a person… When I look back on it, it wasn’t a cry out for help in any way. It was more about figuring out who I was and who I wanted to be, whether it be at the rink or away from it.”
The article talks about how this process has led to Seguin’s mindset that his position in the lineup doesn’t matter – it’s about helping the team. He found a stronger personal support system off-ice, which helped him step into a deeper sense of one within the organization. His coaches say he’s been part of creating the sense of purpose the team has as they attempt to reach the Stanley Cup Finals.
Okay, fine, that’s all well and good, but what does that have to do with you?
How does this relate to you?
Great question, so glad you asked.
✨ When faced with emotional isolation, Seguin chose to solve that issue instead of thinking it was a good thing not to need anyone. We *need* people, and not just ones in proximity. We need our *people* and if we’re not feeling connected to folks we’ve identified as those people, we need to figure out why and/or make changes.
✨ Being in your 30s hits different sometimes, 😂 . Leadership skills show up earlier for sure, but there’s something about the way you’re able to evaluate life in your 20s that makes you move through your 30s differently. Same is true for subsequent decades, of course. So look back on the decisions you made with tenderness for who you were, but with clear eyes to make as clear an analysis of your leadership as possible
✨ Taking stock of your mindset, choices, direction, motivations are good. Check in with yourself, because when you know who you are and what you need, it’s easier to belong to other people, and it’s easier to avoid burnout when you do belong to other people.
Have you had a season where you needed to take stock and change direction, either physically, professionally, or emotionally? I think we all have.
