Burnout is one of the most misunderstood problems in leadership and personal growth.
Most people think burnout happens because they’re climbing too high—taking on bigger goals, more responsibility, or greater challenges. But the truth is far simpler and far more actionable.
It’s not the climb that burns you out. It’s what you’re carrying.
Pounds Equal Pain
On Mt. Kilimanjaro, climbers live by a simple rule: pounds equal pain. The higher the elevation, the less oxygen your body has. If you carry too much weight, exhaustion sets in faster—and failure becomes inevitable.
Leadership works the same way.
As you rise higher—professionally, emotionally, spiritually—you must lighten your load. What once felt manageable becomes a burden when you’re operating at a higher level.
What Are You Carrying?
Most burnout isn’t physical. It’s mental and emotional.
Common burdens include:
- Debilitating thoughts
- Self-doubt and second-guessing
- Language that no longer supports who you’re becoming
- People or environments that drain energy
- Old beliefs that no longer fit your future
These weights quietly consume your strength, focus, and clarity.
Letting Go Is a Leadership Skill
Letting go doesn’t mean quitting. It means choosing wisely.
As a leader, growth requires release—of outdated thinking, unhealthy relationships, and environments that no longer align with your goals. When you lighten your load, you gain energy, clarity, and resilience.
That’s how you keep climbing without burning out.
Final Thought
You don’t need to stop climbing.
You need to stop carrying what doesn’t belong on the journey.
Lighten your load.
Remember—pounds equal pain.
