Burned Out? Read This.

One tip for surviving and one tip for escaping your job.

Hi all,

What is burnout costing you?

Your hobbies? Your relationships? Your sense of who you are.

Burnout can feel endless—and like you’ll never return to being the person you were before. But here’s the truth: burnout isn’t permanent. It is absolutely possible to get better.

Today, we are exploring:

• How to recover from burnout when leaving your desk and never coming back isn’t an option.

• How to job search when your tank is on empty.

You’re going to come back from this. We believe in you.

-TMN

POLL OF THE WEEK

WHAT WE’RE READING

📈 69% of Workers At Risk of Burnout (FastCompany)

🪷 The Difference Between Burnout and Depression (The Conversation)

⚠️ 22 Signs You’re Facing Burnout (Calm)

🌟 How Can I Avoid Burnout? (New York Times)

How to Recover From Burnout When You Can’t Quit (Yet)

In a perfect world, you’d be able to leave a job that is draining you.

In the real world? That’s not always an option, even though you deserve better.

Luckily, there are a few steps you can take to reduce burnout while staying in your current role.

💡 Get clarity on what could help

The first step is finding the factors that are exacerbating your burnout. What is contributing to your feelings of burnout at work? Long hours? Nonexistent support? Micromanagement?

Would changes to any of those situations be possible? If so, talk to your boss or company about measures that could support you.

✅ Pick your top priorities

Reduce your to-do list wherever you can. What absolutely has to be done this week? What can be postponed?

If you’re unsure of what’s most important, ask your manager or a colleague to help you prioritize.

Make space for rest, and don’t judge yourself for not finishing work you don’t have the space or resources to complete.

💙 Talk to someone

Burnout can look like anxiety, depression, or both. Talking to a therapist can help you sort through what you are experiencing—and how to feel better.

Here is a list of places where you can find free or low-cost therapy. 

👣 One step at a time

Trying to overhaul everything at once is overwhelming.

Instead, commit to taking just one step to reduce burnout this week, like leaving work by a certain time every day, taking a walk after work, or sleeping an extra 30 minutes per night.

🏖️ Reconnect with your non-work self.

Pick one activity that reminds you of who you are outside of work. Do it for just 15 minutes. (Yes, even scrolling your old Spotify playlists counts.)

⭐ Know it’s not your fault.

Burnout is often a result of broken systems of work, not an individual failing. If you have tried everything to improve your working conditions and you are still exhausted, it may be your workplace. And it may be time to leave it.

Whatever you decide, we’re here to help.

What is the one step you’re taking this week to reduce burnout? Reply to this email and let us know.

How to Job Search When You’re Burned Out

We have a bone to pick with the person who said that job searching is a full-time job.

That is the LAST thing you need to hear when your actual job is overwhelming.

Luckily, you don’t have to work 80+ hours a week to get a new job—we promise. Here’s how to make it more manageable:

🌅 Trust that you will get out

Hope is a key part of countering burnout.

Even if you feel stuck, you’re not. Every day in this job brings you one day closer to your last day.

🎯 Focus on one step at a time

You don’t have to do everything all at once.

Take your job search one step at a time. Start by getting clear on what roles you want. Then, network. Then, apply.

Taking one step at a time protects you from total overwhelm.

⏰ Time-block your applications

Keep your job search from consuming your free time.

Limit yourself to 1 hour per day of applying, or short bursts a few times a week. The quality of your applications matters more than the quantity.

☕ Pair applications with something good

Make job search tasks feel less dreadful by pairing them with activities you love. Make yourself a hot chocolate, or blast your favorite playlist.

🛑 Take at least one day fully off

You need rest, too. Carve out at least one day a week with zero job search, zero work, and maximum rest.

🧳 Plan a break between jobs (if you can)

When you land your next role, try to take a breather before diving in. There is no better time off then the completely-work-free break between two jobs. Even a week can help reset your energy and perspective.

“There’s no cutting corners on cutting corners.”