Jenga: The Unexpected Tool for a Product Manager's Burnout Recovery Journey

Once upon a time, there was a product manager named Martin. Martin had been working in the technology industry for many years and had worked his way up the ranks to become a product manager. He was responsible for overseeing the development and launch of several successful products that had received rave reviews from customers and industry analysts alike.

However, Martin had been working long hours and juggling multiple projects for months without taking a break. He felt a constant pressure to deliver results and meet the expectations of his team and company. As a result, he had been neglecting his personal life, missing out on social events, and working through weekends and holidays.

One day, Martin woke up feeling exhausted and drained. He couldn't muster up the energy to get out of bed and face another day at work. He had been experiencing symptoms of burnout for a while, but today it had reached a breaking point. He knew he had to take a step back and take care of himself, but he was afraid of the consequences of doing so.

Martin had a meeting with his team that morning to discuss the progress of a new product launch. He mustered up the energy to attend the meeting but found it hard to concentrate and contribute meaningfully to the discussion. His mind was foggy, and he struggled to keep up with the conversation.

As the meeting progressed, martin's frustration and anxiety grew. He felt like he wasn't doing a good enough job as a product manager, and his team was starting to notice. They asked him pointed questions that he couldn't answer, and he felt like he was letting them down.

The meeting ended, and martin slumped back in his chair, feeling defeated. He knew he needed to talk to his boss about how he was feeling, but he didn't want to appear weak or incapable. He decided to take a few moments to compose himself before approaching his boss.

Martin went for a walk around the block, taking deep breaths and trying to clear his mind. As he walked, he stumbled upon a group of people playing Jenga in the park. He stopped to watch, fascinated by the skill and precision with which they were playing.

Suddenly, it hit him. Jenga was a perfect metaphor for his situation. He had been stacking too many tasks and responsibilities on top of each other, and his tower was about to topple over. He needed to take a step back and remove some blocks before he could rebuild his tower and continue to grow.

Martin returned to the office feeling more confident and determined. He had a frank conversation with his boss, explaining how he was feeling and outlining some changes he needed to make to avoid burnout. His boss was understanding and supportive, and they worked together to come up with a plan to ease his workload and prioritize his well-being.

In the following weeks, Martin made some changes to his routine, taking breaks during the day, delegating tasks to his team, and making time for self-care activities like exercise and meditation. He slowly started to feel like himself again, with more energy, focus, and creativity.

Martin continued to work as a product manager, but he did so with a newfound awareness of the importance of work-life balance and self-care. He continued to play Jenga whenever he had a chance, using it as a reminder to keep his tower strong and stable. And he shared his story with others, encouraging them to prioritize their well-being and avoid burnout.