3 Ways To Deal With Burnout While You’re Still Working
You know what the scariest part about burnout is? It’s that you don’t notice you’re burned out until you’ve already reached that point!
Talking from some serious first-hand experience, it takes time to replenish emotionally and mentally when you’re burned out. Of course in a perfect world, we’d know how to prevent it before it happens (which I’ll explore in a future blog - stay tuned!).
But what about when you find yourself in the thick of burnout and you’re still grinding in your 9 to 5? How do you deal? What are some things you can do to get back to your badass self? I’ll show you.
Let’s get started!
#1: Talk about it.
If you think you’re burned out, you need to talk to someone about it ASAP. A counselor, a parent, an awesome friend, a mentor, or someone you trust is the right match for getting vulnerable and talking about your burnout. Don’t get caught up in the right words - honesty is always the best policy. Get real with your burnout, admit how you’re feeling and try to let go of the self judgement you’re holding onto. You never know - the people you talk to may surprise you with their own stories of burnout.
Remember - it’s OK to be lost and confused. Afterall, this is your first time going through life. You’re not supposed to have everything figured out! Plus, anyone who says they do have it all figured out is full of baloney - Talk to someone today about the feelings that are weighing you down and release the weight you’re carrying around inside.
#2: Stop hogging all of the work - at work.
Hey, overachiever. I’m talking to you! Start using some new phrases at work to limit the pile on your plate so you can create some space to think, breathe and rest. Yes, this may be the first time ever that you’re not able to say “YES I’LL DO THAT” or “ABSOLUTELY,” or be the first volunteer in line for projects and extra work. But just remember that no one is going to judge you other than yourself for passing on projects - and you give someone else the opportunity to learn, too!
Want an eloquent and empowering way to say “no” that will have your team respecting you and your leaders admiring you? Here are some of my favorites:
“I’d love to, but I want to do my best work on the projects I currently have on my plate right now before moving on. Does that work for you?”
“I want to do my best and with my current workload, I don’t want to compromise my best results on other things by adding on this project. Can we find another solution?”
“I can do this but not right now - can we circle back in 2 weeks?”
“Would it be possible to find someone else for this? I can mentor them and it may be valuable for them to learn, but I cannot take this project on right now.”
Heads up - this strategy also applies to your personal life. The deck your uncle wants you to help build for 5 weekends in a row that you don’t want to? Think twice before you trade your downtime during your season of burnout - saying no to family doesn’t mean you don’t love them. It means you love yourself enough to take care of yourself first.
#3: Take a look at your definition of success.
In my TEDx talk, I accuse burnout of having roots in our definition of success - the ladder that we climb to the top called the American Dream. Even though the American Dream doesn’t exist, we all chase it, wanting to be the exception to the rule.
But if not that - then what is your definition of success? That’s the million dollar question that you’ve got to answer. To get clear on that definition, ask yourself:
Who do I know that is successful? Who inspires you? Who is a successful person that you see from the outside? It can be someone you know personally, or not!
How do I know that they’re successful? What are the indicators of success to you? Is it the things they have? The things they say? The things they do? Things they are able to do? Things they have accomplished? Things they are going after?
What do I want to feel everyday in my life? What feelings do you desire in your day-to-day life?
What don’t I want to do everyday? It’s very important to understand what you want to let go of in your daily life.
What do I want people to say about me at my retirement party? You will spend a lot of time working and caring deeply about your work. What will you want your colleagues, mentors and teams to say about you and your legacy when you close out your career? This will likely be a crowning moment in your life.
Think carefully about these questions, and answer them openly and honestly with yourself. There are no right or wrong answers with them - only truthful ones. Once you get clearer on your definition of success, it’s easier to make decisions in your life and career.
Want to be a great dad and have a retirement party where people talk about your commitment to the team? Sure, making the jump to Traveling Sales Director may make financial sense but does it make long-term sense for your success? Your happiness? Preventing burnout? We know that the answer is NO.
If you’re burned out and wondering what’s next, you don’t have to make a hasty move to the next job. Instead, speak with someone you trust, say “no” more and get clear on what success really looks like for you - and the feelings you want success to bring for you.
Allow yourself some space and time to harness the fire inside you, and you’ll come out of this experience headed towards the happiness you deserve.