Stress, Burnout and Procurement... Shake it off like Swifty?

TL;DR: In this blog post, I discuss parallels between Taylor Swift's strategies and dealing with burnout in procurement. The article is intended to be lighthearted and cover key themes like handling setbacks, prioritising mental health, stress management, the power of reflection, and maintaining life-work balance. While this post is more conceptual, in my next article, I plan to share my real-life experiences with burnout and the practical applications of these lessons in the demanding world of procurement.

Shaking Off Burnout: How Taylor Swift’s strategies resonate with procurement.

Ever wondered what the pop sensation Taylor Swift and your procurement career have in common? I imagine not… but stay with me because there’s a surprising amount of overlap between Tay-Tay staying sane in the spotlight and lessons for avoiding burnout in the world of procurement.

Dealing with setbacks: The ‘Shake It Off’ Era.

Even those of us that aren’t Swifty’s will be aware enough of pop culture to know that Taylor is a pro at shaking off criticism and setbacks… Kanye anyone? Many of us will understand that not every day (or very few days) go as planned. Fractious supplier relationship? Maverick Stakeholder? Messy spend data? Resilience is key. This doesn’t always have to mean acceptance and moving on; it can also mean adjusting ways of working, finding a new process and solutions to best support you.

Prioritising Mental Health: The ‘Blank Space’ Era

When Taylors reputation went down-hill, she remembered the importance of taking a break. While not all of us have the luxury of a year long hiatus we need to make sure that our blank spaces are filled with keeping our mental health sacred. Wellness trends emphasise the power of disconnecting, and procurement need this more than anyone. Unplug after work, take your lunch break and go on holiday without checking your email as a starter for ten. Try to keep your balance.

Stress Management: The ‘You Need to Calm Down’ Era

In a role that’s constantly on and full of high stress, the ‘you need to calm down’ lyrics are a stark reminder of keeping yourself sane and cool under pressure. I could tell you to practice meditation, yoga or listen to your favourite Swifty album but, the best advice that I can give is; none of this will matter in 5 years-time. Nobody will remember something that’s playing on your mind in the future. You’re not letting anyone down. And if you still feel tense and uneasy, perhaps it’s time to consider that this organisation may not be the right fit for you – find your place.

Power of Reflection: The ‘All Too Well’ Era

Taylor's trademark is taking an experience (read: ex boyfriends) and reflecting on it so she can deliver a flawless song that tops the charts. The same goes for procurement, regular reflection/wash ups with big projects can help to prevent burn out. Continuous analysis around what’s working and what’s not to be able to adjust accordingly both in your BAU, large projects and operationally to continuously progress can help you with efficiency. And remember, you’re not alone in this! Draw on the help of your teammates, stakeholders, mentors and even your suppliers – it’s the red scarf thread of continuous improvement.

Balance: The ‘End Game’ Era

Just like Tay balances her personal life with her career - we’ve all seen her at the Chiefs stadium eating ‘seemingly ranch’  taking a break from her tour – so should you! Getting the balance right is crucial, and setting boundaries between work and home life is the first step. You’re human first and procurement further down the list. Enjoy yourself! Remember having the right mindset by taking the break to do the things you love with family or friends will make a difference to what you bring to your job. Balance should always be your end game.

So, next time you’re feeling overwhelmed, ask yourself: W.W.T.D? What would Taylor do?

*Of course, while many of the sections above are applicable on a day-to-day basis they don’t help so much if you’ve reached burnout. In my next article I talk about my experiences with burnout, how I coped and lessons that came out of a pretty rubbish time.