Decision makers in companies of all sizes often believe they're indispensable and that the company's profits and livelihood rest solely on their shoulders. Because of this belief, they don't take vacations or, if they do, they take along their laptop, leave a number so anyone can call, and call in frequently.

Decision makers are accessible anytime, day or night by cellular phones and pagers. They only socialize with business associates and clients. When they are with family and friends, they think about business. They miss important family events because work just had to get done. Does this sound like you? Then you might be on the road to burning out.

Do you find that you feel exhausted all of the time, have a short temper, or forget important or everyday events? Are you uncharacteristically having difficulty making decisions? Is your creativity stifled? Are you having trouble seeking solutions to conflicts? Do you find you're micro-managing work because you don't trust others' judgment rather than ignoring, medicating, or attributing your "condition" to that's just the way business is, it may be time to reevaluate your relationship with your work. It's imperative to listen to the signals you're receiving so you can gently take better care of your self and your company. It's time to take action to stop the burning-out process.

Start with these small steps and before you know it, you’ll feel much better and much more relaxed. The first thing you should allow yourself is to take real vacations. Schedule vacations and leave your laptop at home. Refrain from announcing where you're staying or the telephone number. Refrain from calling into the office every day. Plan at least one weekend retreat each quarter. If you can handle this, it’s time for the little things which, in the long run, means a lot.

Give your mind and body a break and take daily breaks. Take a short walk and get to know the other departments in the company, or read a funny paper. Two ten minute breaks each day is enough to let you relaxed and more focused during the rest of the day. Of course you should take a long lunch break and eat healthy meals away from your desk. When you’re back, allow yourself to take it easy for a while. Have in mind that some countries in Europe have a three hour lunch break each day, you should at least have one hour. You can do what ever you want if it keeps your mind away from your work. Play with those toys hidden in your desk drawer. View the art in the office lobby. Relax by taking deep breaths, listening to quiet music, practicing yoga, meditating, or enjoying nature. There’s so much things you can do rather than work.

Keep the BIG picture in mind. Micro-managing the work and getting upset over trivial or insignificant details adds nothing to the business or your life. Hire the right people and trust them to carry out their responsibilities. When inundated by minutia, ask yourself, "In the big scheme of things, how important is this?" Act based on your response. Nurture the relationships with yourself and others. Schedule personal and family time. Make appointments for exercising, hobbies, family events, time with your partner, time with yourself, and put them in you calendar. Refrain from canceling them because they're your appointments. Be 'in the moment.' Limit the amount of time you spend working and thinking about working when you're away from the office. When you're at your son's ball game, refrain from using your cell phone to make business calls. When you're with your partner, don't let work dominate the dialogue. When you're at work, be fully present.

Stay connected with your purpose. When you know what you're all about, why you get up in the mornings, why you do the work you do, then each of your actions can support your purpose. When circumstances and events seem to be out of control, ask yourself, "Am I acting, thinking, and feeling on purpose today?" This will help you maintain congruence with who you are, what your purpose is, and what you're doing. When you're gently taking care of your self, you're also taking care of business.