What do you do if burnout is taking a toll on your career and well-being?

Recognising burnout signs is crucial. Look for exhaustion, lack of motivation, and decreased performance. Seek support from peers or professionals. Practice self-care through exercise, relaxation, and hobbies. Set boundaries and prioritise tasks. If symptoms persist, consider counseling or adjusting workload. Remember, acknowledging burnout is the first step to recovery.

The earlier you pay attention to signs of burnout, the better. According to the Maslach Burnout Inventory, there are 3 phases: 1. Stagnation: You feel an imbalance between effort and rewards, between demands and resources. You suffer from psychological fatigue because you do not feel capable of giving an effective response. 2. Apathy : You develop a depersonalised attitude in your relationships. You carry out your work in a mechanised way with a lack of enthusiasm and motivation. 3. Final Burnout: You suffer emotional and cognitive collapse that makes you feel unable to cope with your work. You find it difficult to do your tasks and interact with colleagues, bosses, clients and/or suppliers. You feel pushed to quit your job.

In my experience to do so you should reflect on the factors contributing to your burnout. These could include excessive workload, lack of control over your work, unclear job expectations, dysfunctional workplace dynamics, or a mismatch between your values and the organization's culture. Personal factors such as perfectionism, poor work-life balance, or lack of self-care can also play a role. If possible, gather feedback from colleagues, supervisors, or trusted mentors. They may offer insights into areas where you're struggling or provide perspective on how your work environment is impacting you.

Burnout is usually due to an imbalance between demands and your expectations on one hand, and a feeling of lack of resources (knowledge, tools etc.) and recognition on the other hand. Ask yourself which are the stress sources in your case and what you can do about it.

I agree, however the biggest and most efficient support always comes from the person him/herself. Before seeking support from others, I believe people first focus and listen themselves.

Social support is essential for our emotional and psychological well-being. If you suffer from chronic stress or the first signs of burnout (see my comment in point 1), do not hesitate to look for a stress management expert. If you find yourself in phase 3, please seek therapy ASAP.

Although the necessity of determining boundaries regarding personal space and professional space is something on which lengthy suggestions can be written in theory, in practice, it is necessary to be realistic about continuity and take into account the erosion that will occur when moving from theory to practice. You may often have to exceed the theoretical limits you have set due to the field you work in, your position, and your area of responsibility, and this often makes people wonder, "I tried but I couldn't do it, I wonder if my will is not strong?" However, the issue is not willpower; it is the inevitable result of not taking a realistic approach.To make it sustainable; you must be aware of your circumstances, realistic, and objective.