Many of my coaching clients lack energy and motivation because they are overworked and overwhelmed. This is burnout.

These clients say things like, "I can’t figure out what I want anymore."

My goal was to move them from this point to feeling adrenalized and excited about life. "Adrenalized" living is about feeling fulfilled, motivated, and confident. It’s a reminder that you have the choice to live the way you want. In every situation you can choose your adrenalized life.

Job recruiting website, Indeed, conducted a study that compared burnout data from January 2020 to January 2021. They reported in March 2021 that more than half (52%) of respondents experienced burnout. This was an increase of 43% from the pre-pandemic survey. Fifty three percent (53%) of employees are working longer hours and 27% are unable to unplug from work. We are entering the era of overwork and overwhelm.

We are burnt out.

Do you want to be adrenalized? Do you want to be fulfilled? Do you want to be catapulted?

Follow these steps to choose your adrenalized life:

1. Clarify what you want.

What do you want for your life? Do you want to take care of yourself? Do you want to quit your job? Get divorced?

People are often unclear what they want. When this is the case, it is because we have lost sight of what we enjoy. Begin exploring what you want by evaluating what comes naturally to you. Your natural skills and abilities are the seat of personal wisdom that you should heed.

In contrast, people know what they want but are too afraid to say what they want because they fear judgment. So, they don’t and become more overwhelmed and frustrated.

Change that! Say exactly what you want, and then go after it.

2. Define your own standard for success.

We spend our entire lives determining our success based on other people’s success. As kids we are compared to other kids. This creates a false standard. We live in the world of social media, and we experience other people's success by what they post and share. However, success begins with you. Determine what your success will look like. Create a vision of a day in your future where you are living successfully. What will that look like? Develop your own standard!

3. Set goals and clear expectations.

Work toward a goal. It is important to set goals and expectations if you are going to make changes in your life. Set goals that are specific and measurable so that you can achieve them. The more specific the better. You want to set clear boundaries and expectations for yourself to help you achieve your goals. Loose boundaries equal vague goals which in turn leave you stuck in the mud. Set some great expectations and you will accomplish more.

4. Prioritize progress over perfection.

Perfectionism is the hallmark of procrastination. We must focus on making progress. Measure your progress from where you start, not from what you want to achieve.

The thrill of progress outweighs the feeling of inertia and the need for perfection. You may have heard that it’s not about the result but the journey. When you focus on progress you are present for the rewards of the journey. It is about the journey.

Think of a time you took a long car trip. You set out with the result of getting to your destination, but what happened along the way is what made your journey that much more fun and enjoyable.

5. Use your Fear adrenaline as Motivation adrenaline.

When we are faced with fear, our body responds with the rush of hormones, specifically adrenaline, that make us ready for fight or flight. However, when we are excited about something, our adrenaline takes over and gets us ready for the happiness, joy and excitement of what we are about to do.

Our fear is what usually holds us back from making changes or taking a step forward. That fear can be paralyzing. Use the adrenaline from the fight or flight to power your energy forward and motivate yourself to tackle what you want to achieve.

Choosing to live adrenalized means you have the choice to live with clarity, success, fulfillment, and confidence having been catapulted forward by your progress. It’s about being energized to work on the things we want to change and not be drained by the burdens and stress of change.

Choose your adrenalized life!

Tom Marino is a highly respected thought-leader, success strategist, speaker, and author. After a period of personal transformation, he founded Monarch Life Coaching, LLC to help high achievers navigate seasons of transition by recognizing the power of their choices. His book, Bridge to Change, documents the simple process of transformation that he believes catalyzes greater appreciation and enthusiasm in our lives. He is the host of The Adrenalized Life Podcast and the Tom Marino Radio Show. Tom works with people all over the U.S. to help them overcome burnout and live adrenalized. Contact him by visiting www.tommarino.com. Connect with Tom on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.