Tips for Dealing with Burnout and Exhaustion

Nothing is more satisfying than chasing down some intellectual endeavor like a white whale. But amidst a quest for glory and self-affirmation, one can become tired, and thus, their efforts will be thwarted. In the case of such an event there are a few practical techniques one can apply to evade burnout or fatigue. Below are some of the most noteworthy.

Think Long Term

The leading cause of burnout is of course taking on more than one can handle. Although this should be commonsense, it’s important to keep this in mind especially if you’re an associate or new hire. Essentially, the child’s fable The Tortoise and the Hare is a shining example of an adequate approach. Only take on what you can handle and prepare yourself for the truly busy times when you are really needed. 

Say No Instead of Neglect

If you are on the verge of burnout you never want to poke the bear. So when someone asks you to complete an extra assignment, instead of being a Gordy Go-Hard, or trying to make everyone happy, simply say “no.” More often than not, your superior will experience a flash of anger and yet forget about it after delegating the project to another associate who does a great job. If you were to take that assignment on the verge of burnout, chances are that assignment will never be completed, or be completed as subpar work (the typical product of burnout.) Both of these scenarios, blowing off the assignment, or producing subpar work, will create a long term negative impact on you and your employer’s relationship. Simply saying no will cause only a moment of shame that will soon be forgotten.