I've coached so many people who are either already burned-out or are about 2 steps away from being there. You know the signs: you're tired, feeling overwhelmed, unmotivated to do anything because you've got just too much on your plate. 

How has burnout become such a familiar state?

This much obsessing over short-term goals can lead to tunnel vision that ultimately can steer you off course. That spells disaster if you’re trying to knock out a big goal or like me, launching a business.

I haven't perfected this struggle by any means, but here's a few things I'm trying to avoid tunnel vision. 

“Follow your passion” is a cliché that gets thrown around A LOT. I absolutely believe that people should do what they love (I mean we’re talking I quit my full time job to become a solopreneur!), but let’s be honest. That phrase doesn’t tell you how to do anything.

When you do decide to take the plunge, here are four no-nonsense ways that can turn your passion into an effective plan.

Sharing personal or professional goals with others can help keep you more accountable.  And talking about your goals helps on so many levels: you get immediate champions, you have people to hold you accountable, you get a built-in support network, and you have cheerleaders applauding your progress.

No matter what your role, industry, or personality type, going it alone is the surest way to make it harder than it needs to be. You can go the Lone Ranger route and learn it on your own, or you can Create a brain trust of people who can teach you, push you, help you AND grow you...As fast as possible.

These first five days have been a fascinating study of my discipline and focus. I mean really, with no actual "work place" to go to, the main thing standing between me and the welfare line is my ability to stay the course and be effective with my time. Here's how the week panned out...