How to Deal with Career Burnout

Does the thought of going to work make you exhausted? Does another ounce of paperwork make you cringe? What about the idea of developing a strategy to work with a client? Does it make you want to throw in the towel and never look back?

You may be dealing with career burnout. You’re not alone. Seventy percent of people dream of a different job. The overwhelming amount of work, the sheer volume of paperwork and the hours spent in meetings can take its toll. That’s why we’re giving your four tips to help you combat career burnout.

1. Think About the Why: This is the first step to understanding and overcoming burnout. Reflect on your days at work and determine what first pushed you over the edge. Do you feel resentment towards something at work? This can usually lead to the answer. It may not be the role you’re in at all but the way you’re managed or a situation you’re consistently facing.
2. Think About A Break: Maybe it’s time to take a step back and really take a break or a leave of absence. If your career is taking a physical toll on your body then a break filled with rest, relaxation and reflection may be just what you’re needing. You can return to work with a clear mind, a different outlook and a changed game plan.

3.Practice the Art of Saying No: Being able to say no to people is very much an art, especially if you’re a people pleaser. If you find yourself saying yes to extra work when you’re already overwhelmed by your normal workload or you’re saying yes to a committee you don’t really want to be a part of, can lead to resentment and trigger feelings of burnout. Learn to say “no” politely and tactfully, and hopefully you start to feel better about your outlook on work.

4.Try the Power of Positive Thinking: Next time you’re talking down about yourself or your job, stop and think of all the positives in your life. Think about the relationships that make you happy or the summer vacation you have planned. Think about what you do enjoy doing at work and the tasks you look forward to tackling each day. The saying is “turn that frown upside down.” And that’s what the power of positive thinking is all about.

While it’s not a one size fits all solution and it make take time, consider these steps to help you get out of your career burnout rut. Have you dealt with career burnout? What steps did you take to get back on your feet?