Understanding Burnout
Unpopular opinion it took me 25 years to learn: Burnout is not a badge of honor.
When I founded the direct mail firm AGENCY ten years ago this spring, I set out on my own without a salary and with no experience starting or managing a business. What I did have were two kids under the age of three, a looming cross-country move and a lot of imposter syndrome. Looking back, I wish I could tap myself on the shoulder and say, "Hey, this feels like...a lot?"
But 15 years in politics had shattered my Stress Meter. I had no awareness of the effect stress was having on my body or my long-term health. Case in point: I went into labor at a campaign retreat after breaking doctor-ordered bed rest to attend. And just a week later there I was, pitching a gubernatorial candidate with my newborn asleep on my shoulder.
That is not normal.
Unfortunately, in the political arena, many of us normalize self-neglect. Most without realizing it. Subsisting on cold pizza and Diet Coke. Wearing t-shirts with slogans like “Late to bed, early to rise, work like hell and organize.” Cheering politicians who implore us to “sleep when we’re dead.”
All of that is burnout culture.
In our Understanding Burnout workshop, we’ll cover:
How to identify the signs of burnout culture
Health risks associated with burnout
The common symptoms of burnout
What you can do about it
Before we meet, take this free Burnout Test from Psychology Today to get a better sense of where you currently are on the burnout spectrum. Armed with your Burnout Score, you’ll better understand what action steps are critical to take in the short-term, and through our workshop you’ll be given the information you need to notice changes in your burnout levels over time.
We can each be part of changing the culture of professional politics to one that prioritizes self-care and wellness. This is a critical part of keeping the best and brightest operatives prepared for the long fights ahead. By living the model you’re learning in the After Action series, you can move the needle toward a more productive, healthy, aligned network of changemakers.
Feel better. Be better. Do better.
Where are you on the Stress Meter, and what are some things you do to handle stress? Drop your thoughts in the comments section below, and I look forward to seeing you on Zoom on Wednesday, November 20 at 2pm ET.
For a deeper dive into the topics we’ll cover in Understanding Burnout, check out these sources:
Books
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski
Stress Resets by Dr. Jennifer L. Taitz
Real Self-Care by Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
Set Boundaries, Find Peace by Nedra Glover Tawwab
Boundary Boss and Too Much by Terri Cole
Ten Percent Happier by Dan Harris
How To Do the Work by Dr. Nicole LaPera
Podcasts
The Good Life Project with Jonathan Fields
Ten Percent Happier with Dan Harris
Social Media
Emily Parcell marked her 25th year in politics in 2024. A veteran of six presidential campaigns, multiple U.S. Senate races and a former State Legislative Caucus Director, Emily’s work has covered roles at every level of organizing, a short dabble in finance and scheduling, and senior positions on political and management teams. She began her consulting career at MSHC Partners, was a founding member of the team at Pivot and launched AGENCY from her basement laundry room in 2015.
AGENCY’s mission is one of empowerment – empowering voters to exercise their agency at the ballot box and electing public servants who believe in the fundamental right to personal agency. AGENCY has actively expanded the voices of representation across the country, serving as part of the strategic team for the first woman elected to Congress from Emily’s home state of Iowa, the first Native American woman elected to Congress, the youngest Black woman elected to Congress, the first South Asian American woman elected to Congress, the first Asian American elected to the Wisconsin Assembly, the first Latino elected to the Nebraska legislature, and the first transgender member of the Iowa legislature.
In addition to her political work, Emily holds ICF health and life coaching certifications from Health Coach Institute and her career coaching certification as a Certified Sparketype Advisor. She has completed professional certificates in Managing Happiness and Building Resilience: Managing Anxiety and Mental Health from HarvardX.
You can connect with Emily on Substack @emilylowe, on X @emilyparcell, on Instagram @lowe171 and on Facebook @Emily Parcell Lowe. For more information on her coaching work, visit BellwetherCoach.com or email coaching@agencystrategies.com
 | A guest post by
|