Learn how to bounce back from burnout and achieve Career Success with these unconventional and hilarious tips. Embrace the fun way and take care of yourself!
Mar 10, 2023
When you're in the thick of it, it can feel impossible to bounce back from burnout.
Maybe you're struggling to find the motivation to tackle your to-do list, or you feel like you're just going through the motions. Whatever the symptoms, burnout is a serious issue that affects most people in their careers.
The good news is that it doesn't have to be a career-ending problem. Let's explore some unconventional tips to help you bounce back from burnout and achieve Career Success.
We'll look at some out-of-the-box ideas, like taking up a new hobby or embracing failure, and explore the ways in which these methods can help you to find a new sense of purpose and motivation in your work.
Because if at first, you don't succeed, try, try again... or take a series of long naps, whichever works for you.
Before we dive into some tips, let's take a moment to appreciate the absurdity of burnout. I mean, who came up with the idea that working yourself to the point of exhaustion was a good thing? It's like saying, "Hey, let's drive this car until it runs out of gas, and then we'll see how far we can push it!"
To make matters worse, a lot of workplaces still expect you to put on a happy face and pretend like everything's fine, even when your brain feels like a fried egg on a shovel on a hot day. If that’s the case, then you might be in a toxic work environment and you may want to consider looking for a new job, or even a Career Change.
Burnout is one of those things that can sneak up on you. It's one of those things that people say "when you know you know" about. But if you're feeling like a walking zombie, or if your office chair has become your new best friend, it may be a sign that you're burnt out. You may also find yourself yelling at inanimate objects or telling off your coworkers, which is a pretty good indication that you're in need of some assistance and rest.
You could try just screaming "HELP!" at the top of your lungs and hoping someone hears you, but I don't particularly recommend it. I would start by talking to your boss or HR rep about your concerns and booking some much-needed time off.
If that doesn't work — see the aforementioned toxic work environment” conundrum — you can always hire a marching band to follow you around and play eye of the tiger on repeat as a motivational tool.
Before any of this, you need to book off your sick days and take 3+ deep breaths. The first couple days off should be about rest, resetting, and getting your support system in place.
After that, try out some of these more outside-the-box methods to support your healing. Your journey toward Career Success is malleable and constantly evolving, so putting your goals on pause doesn’t mean you’re a quitter: it means you’re taking a more efficient approach.
Let's face it, when you're feeling burnt out, the last thing you want to do is more work, so you might think picking up a brand new and possibly terrifying hobby is not the move. But actually, research shows that trying new things is a stress reliever!
That's why sometimes the best way to bounce back is to do something completely out of character to reset your system. I'm talking about something really unconventional, like taking a painting class, signing up for a martial arts course, or learning how to yodel.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "But I have no artistic talent!" or "I don't wanna chop wood with my hand!" Hear me out. These activities can provide a fresh perspective and help to relieve stress in ways that traditional self-care methods might not. Plus, they're a great way to meet new people to add to your emotional support network!
When was the last time you tried something completely new and exciting? Maybe you'll find inner peace by developing a roundhouse kick. Or, you might just have a really good laugh. Don't be afraid to get a little weird and embrace the unconventional. You might just find your next passion and bounce back from burnout in the process.
Listen up, burnt-out buddies, because I have the perfect cure for your workplace woes: nature! That's right, spending time in the great outdoors has been scientifically proven to reduce stress, improve mental health, and make you feel like Steve Irwin. So grab your hiking boots, bug spray, and a sense of adventure!
I'll be the first one to tell you all about the inconvenience of the modern mosquito, but once you push through that feeling, finding time for nature is totally worth it. Start small by going for a walk during your lunch break or scheduling a weekend glamping trip.
Then, if you're feeling really ambitious, you can even try some of these more out-there nature activities:
Hot take: The real reason we're all so dang tired is that we're afraid of failing. That's right, our fear of screwing up is keeping us stuck in a never-ending cycle of burnout. But what if I told you that failure is actually a necessary part of the learning process?
Some of the most successful people in history have experienced huge career setbacks. Oprah was fired from her first job as a news anchor, and Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team. They used their failures as motivation.
So, let's reframe failure as a necessary step on the path to success by fostering a growth mindset. Embrace it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Sure, it might be a little uncomfortable at first, but so is wearing pants with a waistband after months of sweatpants and we all make it work.
So here's my pitch. There's a TikTok trend going around these days based on the TED Talk by Jia Jiang about a thing he created called "Rejection Therapy." Basically, for 100 days, he put himself in a bunch of different scenarios knowing he would fail. His goal was to desensitize himself from the pain of rejection and overcome his fear of failure.
The idea was a huge success. The end result was not only a huge boost in his own personal growth but in thousands of others as well who were inspired by him.
Incorporate this into your life. It might be totally out there, but try some of the challenges yourself in low-risk environments. Ask a stranger for $100, or try to train your personal trainer for a session. These will up your tolerance and show you that failure is actually a huge opportunity for growth.
Burnout can be a real buzzkill, but it doesn't have to be the end of your Career Success story. Sometimes the best way to overcome it is to try something completely out of the ordinary. These wacky activities can provide a fresh perspective and help to relieve stress.
But most importantly, take care of yourself! Remember to prioritize your physical and mental well-being above all else. You can't pour from an empty cup, so take some time for yourself, relax, and recharge those batteries.
And if you need a little extra help achieving Career Success, download our Career Success Catalog. It's jam-packed with a list of every resource that we offer. Because let's face it, sometimes we all need a little help bouncing back from burnout, and there's no shame in that game.
So go forth and conquer, my friends. With a little wackiness, a lot of self-care, and the right resources, you'll bounce back from burnout in no time!