What do you do if burnout is jeopardizing your career?

In 2021, I experienced burnout. At the time, I was working as the Legal Director for VALE in Indonesia. However, due to the COVID pandemic, the company decided to repatriate all its executives to their home countries. We were in the midst of significant M&A projects, along with regular business operations at the mine. I worked in an ‘inverted’ time zone, starting work at 9:00 PM and ending at 5:00 AM, under the pressure of the unknown brought by the pandemic. Now I understand that the initial signs of burnout appeared early, but I struggled to recognize them. It was only during a crisis that I managed to stop and seek medical assistance. Don’t wait for a crisis! Be mindful of your limits and seek help at the first signs of exhaustion

Burnout is something that can happen to anyone. I think the best way to avoid its consequences in one’s personal and professional lives is to be very alert to the first signs of this devastating disease. (Family, friends and colleagues might help to detect those signs) The leaders have also a determinant duty to realize when it is happening to one of their teammates. After the diagnosis, the professional needs to create a routine of self care involving pleasant activities that might go from gym to what they do as a robby. Psychologic or psychiatric treatments, depending on the case, might be needed. This previous care helps the profissional to maintain their activities and personal life without any kind of damage.

If burnout is threatening your career, it's time for a strategic intervention. Start by prioritizing self-care: set clear boundaries, delegate tasks, and take regular breaks. Communicate openly with your manager about workload concerns and explore flexible work arrangements if possible. Seek support from a mentor or counselor to develop coping strategies and regain perspective. Consider professional development opportunities to reinvigorate your passion and skills. Remember, addressing burnout is a proactive step towards long-term career sustainability.

If you are facing burnout. It's important to look for a quick positive break, this will serve as a positive distraction. Maybe you can plan for a weekend trip to a place filled with greenery. Speak out your situation to your trusted mentor, or a professional counselor if things are going out of control. Identifying the primary cause of burnout. Coming up with probable solutions to address the pain area, A quick expectation-setting discussion with your team, proper delegation of work, prioritizing things better, and ensuring that you have spent quality time with your family, and friends, will help. Consider health as the key, including quick exercises, and routine morning/evening walks in greenery. Re-assess your goals if required.

Try to identify reason for burnout next take up one reason at a time and look for positive things in this situation Second is to try to change your prospects on the situation If needed talk to your best friend and see positive side of all situation After that work out and you will see the difference

Burnout is not a mere discomfort in the workplace, but a serious condition that can affect both your professional and personal life. Therefore, in addition to talking to colleagues and managers, seek professional support to help you understand what you are going through and the best ways to recover.

Seeking support from friends, family, colleagues, or a professional can provide invaluable assistance in navigating burnout. Don't hesitate to reach out to trusted individuals and share your feelings and experiences openly. Talking about your challenges can offer emotional relief and perspective. Consider seeking guidance from a therapist or counselor who specializes in stress management and burnout prevention. They can help you develop coping strategies, identify underlying issues contributing to burnout, and create a plan for recovery.

After experiencing burnout, I resumed regular physical activities and reevaluated my diet. I found solace in cycling and focused on a healthy (vegetarian) diet. Not only did I regain mental well-being, but I also rebuilt my body and health: I lost 30 kgs (65 pounds), reduced fat and cholesterol levels, and improved my sleep and mood. I rekindled activities and hobbies that brought me joy, such as playing the drums, piano, and guitar. Recovering from burnout is not a sprint; it’s a marathon. It’s not about taking medications or seeking immediate solutions but rather reconstructing the pillars of a healthy life, both physically and mentally.

Prioritizing your physical and mental health is essential when facing burnout. Make self-care practices a priority in your daily routine, including exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques such as mindfulness or meditation. Set boundaries to protect your personal time and avoid overcommitting yourself. Remember that taking care of yourself is not selfish but necessary for maintaining overall well-being and resilience in the face of adversity.

Model what boundaries look like without the underlying repercussion of not filling your plate. It's one thing to "say" set boundaries, it's another thing altogether to do it and then find out it will bite you in the arse. Leaders have to really understand implications across the organization, that healthy boundaries should include everyone in the organization. It has to be an intentional action. It means slowing down to be able to move at the speed of a healthy culture, in order to truly respect boundaries. Setting boundaries create a more resilient organization but it's human bias to prioritize near term gains over long term growth.

Set boundaries with your colleagues early on . Care but not over share , know when to intervene & when to allow your team the autonomy to work things out for themselves. Trust yourself & trust your team

To overcome burnout, prioritize self-care by ensuring you exercise, sleep well, and practice relaxation techniques. Establish clear boundaries to manage your workload effectively and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Take regular breaks throughout your day to rest and recharge. Seek support from friends, family to talk about your feelings and gain perspective. Set realistic goals, break tasks into manageable steps, and celebrate your progress. Consider making adjustments to your environment to reduce stress at work or home.