If you are feeling burnt out in your current career, you may dread going to work each day and feel exhausted by the end of the workday. When you are feeling burned out, you need to take some time to slow down so you can take better care of yourself. It will help you enjoy your work and also be happier in your down time.
Consider Doing Something Else
While you may want to try other coping strategies before going with something else, you may want to consider doing another type of work. Certain professions tend to have a higher percentage of individuals who are burned out, and you may find at some point that your current career is not for you any longer. The good news is that there are many other industries you could enter. You could choose to start a small business, which would allow you to decide which clients you worked with, how long you worked, and what you did. You can find a range of small business loans to get you the funding you need. Options like Accion small business loans offer educational resources, support networks, and coaching, which can help your venture be successful.
Acknowledge Your Burn Out
It is important to self-monitor your symptoms and acknowledge when you are feeling burned out. One way to tell is if you wake up after a good night’s rest and still do not feel refreshed. Feeling ill, having trouble sleeping, feeling depressed or angry, and having fatigue are also signs you may need to take a step back. If the symptoms affect your down time besides just work, you may want to seek assistance from a mental health professional.
Meet with the Manager
When you are feeling burned out, spend some time talking to your manager or even HR about how you are feeling. It is not uncommon to feel burned out, and they may be willing to work with you on how you are feeling. Come up with a plan before you go into this conversation, and consider what you would like to get out of the conversation. Perhaps you need to go on a vacation or be taken off a certain project. You should also have some backup options as well. By being prepared with solutions, you can show management you want to take action and are serious, instead of just wanting to show your frustration.
Say No When You Need to
You don’t have to feel like you must say yes to everything that comes your way. It’s common to feel like saying no will show you are unable to fully do your job. However, it can be beneficial to turn things down if you already have too much on your plate. While it can be difficult to do, especially to a manager or boss, it’s far worse to say you can do something and then realize you are unable to do so or must put your mental health at risk when doing so.
