Are you feeling burned out at work? 

Yep, I’ve been there!

Once you figure out what is causing your burnout, you can figure out an appropriate solution. Below are some insights I’ve gained through self-reflection during periods of burnout.

Burnout from an Overwhelming Workload
I’m not afraid of hard work. In fact, I can sometimes be energized by juggling priorities and meeting demanding deadlines. However, it’s not sustainable to continuously give heroic efforts to keep up with the demands. Work is a marathon, not a sprint. Trying to sprint marathon distances will eventually lead to exhaustion.

My Solution: Managing Priorities and Boundaries 

• I ask myself, “What is the minimum I absolutely must do to keep the lights on in my role.” From here, I figure out what I will stop doing or put on the back burner for later. If I can’t figure this out on my own, I have a conversation with my manager to gain insight into the most critical work for the business. 
• I also force myself to say “no” or “not right now” as new requests come in. When my manager brings the request, I explain that I’m overloaded and ask what I should take off my plate to make room for the additional request.

Burnout from Feeling Undervalued or Unappreciated
When I find my internal voice saying, “They don’t pay me enough to deal with this,” it’s a sign that I feel unappreciated. Sometimes, it’s because I feel like I’m doing work that is typically given to higher-level roles, or perhaps my work is going unnoticed. Everyone needs to feel valued and appreciated!

My Solution: Asking Questions

Rather than get angry, I get curious. I have a conversation with my manager, asking for feedback about my work and seeking to understand what behaviors I need to demonstrate to be considered for a higher-level position. 

Burnout from Misaligned Values
I tend to be attracted to organizations with company values that align with mine. However, sometimes, the culture within the company fails to reflect the values touted on its website. It’s exhausting to remain in that environment when this happens too frequently.

My Solution: Seek Realignment 

• I look for opportunities to interject the company values into work and see if I can be an agent for positive change.
• If I’m unsuccessful or the change is too slow, it’s time to update my resume and find a culture that aligns with my values.

If you’re feeling burned out at work, I encourage you to get curious and identify the source of your burnout. Drop me a comment if you need some ideas for solving your burnout.

Wishing you the best!