What do you do if your career is leading to burnout and you need to prioritize self-care?

Drawing from personal experience, I have found that recognizing and accepting the presence of burnout is crucial. This acknowledgment allows for a recalibration of habits and priorities, with a focus on self-care. In my own journey, I realized that working long hours and dedicating weekends solely to work is unsustainability. What worked for me was removing the weekend work and most of the extra hours during the week. Also, I have implemented some strategies such as the Pomodoro Technique which enabled me to introduce regular breaks, fostering moments of self-reconnection and relaxation. These seemingly small adjustments proved to be impactful in combating burnout.

Assessment starts with a sense of unease. So, if you are feeling a sense of burnout, that's a good thing. It's your body telling you that you need to take a step back and look at your habits. However, don't be impatient with yourself when you are trying to figure this out. Resolution may not always come easy. Practice patience and be easy on yourself.

Think about your daily routines, especially how they impact your stress levels. It's often not the job itself, but how you approach your tasks that can contribute to burnout. Maybe you're skimping on breaks, or your time management could use some tweaking. Keeping a diary can help spot patterns that lead to overload. For instance, in one project, I noticed constantly checking emails disrupted my focus, leading to longer work hours without much progress. Cutting down to specific times for email checking each day freed up my mind and time significantly.

When you’re feeling the heat, reaching out can make a world of difference. Sometimes, it’s about professional guidance, like talking to a career coach. But don’t overlook the power of your own network. Colleagues who know what you're going through can offer invaluable insights. In my experience, creating a mastermind group with peers from different industries provided fresh perspectives and coping strategies that I hadn't considered.

Putting your health first is non-negotiable. It's not just about hitting the gym or eating right; mental health is just as critical. Meditation, yoga, or simply taking time out to breathe and be in the moment can recharge your batteries. On one occasion, I swapped out my lunchtime scrolling through socials for a walk outside, and the clarity and energy boost it provided were game-changers.

Burnout is a common problem that affects many people. It is not always caused by the job itself but by how effectively we handle stress and balance our work and personal lives. Here are some steps that can help you: 1. Define precise working hours and stick to them. 2. Close your computer and phone after work to avoid distractions and allow yourself to relax. 3. Take time after work to do sports, meet friends, or pursue hobbies. 4. Don't work on weekends. Spend 1-2 hours on Sunday preparing for the upcoming week. This will help you feel more organized and ready to tackle your tasks. Prioritize your well-being. Manage your workload better. Prevent burnout.

Learning to say 'no' is a powerful skill. Set clear boundaries around your availability and the kind of work you take on. I found it essential to communicate these boundaries proactively, so there’s no room for misunderstanding. During a hectic phase in a previous project, I was clear about my off-hours, which helped me avoid burnout and maintain quality in my work.

Sometimes, it’s not about changing what you do, but how you think about it. This could mean reframing challenges as opportunities for growth or recognizing the value in what might seem like mundane tasks. I realized in a past role that by viewing each task as a stepping stone towards mastering my field, even the repetitive tasks became more meaningful.

Feeling unwell on your way to work? It's a warning sign! Look for a new perspective! Find better companies or start your own business. Act and solve the problem. Remember, work is not everything; it shouldn't harm your health or personal life.

Consider if the career path you're on aligns with your values and long-term goals. If the dissonance between your job and your personal aspirations is great, it might be worth exploring other avenues. I've switched industries before when I recognized that my job wasn't contributing to my personal growth, which made a profound difference in my wellbeing.