Do You Think You’re a Superhero?

I ask because, there was a time, in hindsight, when it appeared that, I thought I was.

You might see me as a successful Leadership Reinvention Strategist. Know that I wasn’t always the person I am now. In fact, I never envisioned my life journey leading to launching my own business. My thought process included working diligently to get continual promotions and to earn paid time off so I could afford international travel with my daughters or friends.

I remember specifically where I was when I acknowledged that I was tired of feeling exhausted. I expected to need a few weeks of rest after my parents passed, thinking it would be sufficient to replenish, yet as the months passed, I began to feel worse.

US News reports “Half of Americans over 50 are now caregivers.” Article

To preserve my health, I knew I needed to create boundaries. I didn’t want to become one of the statistics I read about.  I became disappointed and angry with myself. Looking back, I realized that I’d unknowingly become a creature of habit when it came to showing up at work. Imagine me wearing an invisible suit with a cape over my shoulders and of course, high heeled shoes. I had unknowingly become super woman in my mind.

You’ve seen us. We tend to show up everywhere we perceive our “help” is needed.

As the Director of Return to Work, Managed Care, and vendor relations, my team and I collaborated daily as we strategized on behalf of injured or ill employees with open workers’ compensation claims. I communicated with leaders in the leave of absence office weekly regarding partnerships our teams had on open claims for injured employees.  It never crossed my mind, not even once, that I too needed a leave of absence.

Providing service as a caregiver while continuing as a leader in the workplace is mentally and physically draining, especially when it involves care for a loved one. As an only child, I saw providing care for my parents as an honorable duty.  Long after they’d passed, I continued to feel depleted. Eventually, I recognized the way I felt had nothing to do with their needs during that time. It had everything to do with the fact that I forgot I was a human need for my own well-being. Super woman imposter syndrome is a real thing for many of us.

How often have you unknowingly adorned yourself in an invisible superhero costume? Did you recognize soliciting help is beneficial or were you, so laser focused that you didn’t realize you needed it?

If you have been a caregiver, here are a few ways you can solicit assistance after your services are no longer needed:

1. Do the things you can.

2. Spend time with loved ones, especially if you’re grieving.

3. Identify ways in which someone can assist you when needed as you strive to create a new normalcy. Hire a coach or therapist if this will be helpful.

4. Schedule time to rest or replenish, even if only to read a few chapters in a book when time permits, go for a walk-in nature, or get a daily workout in.

5. Reflect on positive memories.

How often have you adorned yourself in an invisible superhero costume? Are you ready to solicit assistance or are you still so laser focused that you haven’t acknowledged you needed assistance?

If you’d like to learn how to go from burnout to soaring, connect with me to schedule a free “Reset Audit” so together, we can place you on a path to personal and professional success while preserving your health and creating space for fun too.

Let’s grow together!

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For more in depth strategies, you can use to RESET, REIMAGINE or RECLAIM after experiencing personal challenges, purchase an autographed copy of my book “When Your Soul Whispers: Strategies for leaders to redefine values and move forward after life’s transitions” Purchase here

Email:  Licia@LiciaThompson.com   Website: www.LiciaThompson.com   Instagram: @Licia_Thompson  Facebook: Licia Thompson, The Reinvention Strategist  LinkedIn: Licia Thompson, CPC, ELI-MP

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