How do you find motivation when burnt out?

23 Comments

1. TracieNovember 24,2021 at 7:43PM UTC

   I have felt like this before and although finally some changes were made, I knew that is was just to little to late for me and I had to move on. For me, sticking in a place and trying to force myself to love what I was doing honestly only made me feel worse. That burn out sign I had, I kept pushing away for about a year.. and then the bottom fell out. This may not be the case for you and its sounds like things have definitely changed for the better but when your gut tells you you are done, then you are done. Best of luck to you!

2. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 1:16AM UTC

   I'm in this place myself - I want to give my boss and this job a chance for making such a radical change after I despaired anything would ever be different, but I worry it might be too little too late and my burnout is deeper than a few weeks off can fix. I'm going to give it some time but also keep applying for new jobs when they fit - I currently have an application in for a position that's almost identical with a different non-profit serving a different region of my state, and have a friend who works for them that says they're pretty good. It's telling that, if my boss fired me tomorrow, I'd probably feel relief that I can feel free to look for a good job, vs. worry about not having one.

3. AnonymousNovember 24,2021 at 7:55PM UTC

   The burn out is real! Whew. I am sorry you've had a rough 2 years in your job but I am happy to hear things are turning corner for you as well. Battling burn out has been an issue across all industries/companies, so you're not alone. I find when I'm feeling burn out or on the edge of it, it probably linked to lack of sleep. Rest is essential and we receive optimal healing when we are getting adequate sleep, so if you're feeling burned out, I would start there with prioritizing your rest and setting clear boundaries at work & home.

   At work, your calendar availability is your currency, so use calendar blocks to protect your mental energy. Start with prioritizing a break or two as a calendar block, take your full lunch break (You should try to eat but if you'd prefer to use the time to read, work out, meditate, take a walk, etc. just MAKE the time to take it, you've earned that time off) and put blocks around when you start and stop your day. If you're in the trenches on deadline, block out time to do focus work. If another meeting (or person) is competing with your focus time, then determine if this is truly a meeting you need to be in/have (is there any actionable item on the meeting agenda that requires your presences?). If not, then I would ask if the meeting can be recorded or notes will be shared out post-meeting, and you can share your inputs once you've accomplished your priority work.

   When was the last time you've got away for a few days? Or took a few mental health days? Doesn't have to be glamours getaway; a staycation will do, but it sounds like you could use a few mental health days. Book a massage, spend time outside in nature, visit a friend/family, retail therapy, be a tourists in your own city, check out a museum, pamper at home, etc. Go do something fun and make time to rest --- that's it!

   The last thing I would say is know the signs/triggers when you feel you're on the brink of burnout, instead of waiting till it full on happens. Build in small mindful practices to help you self-manage throughout the day: enhance your morning & nighttime routines with journaling, positive affirmations, meditation, digital detox after a certain hour, working out, eating a healthy meal, etc. Hope this helps and truly wish you the best of luck. Be kind to yourself -- you need it!

4. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 1:07AM UTC

   thank you for the great advice! It can be so hard to sleep when you've got 1000 things pressing on your mind, but thankfully I've been able to do so lately. And you're right - making time for yourself is so important! It was a case of I literally didn't have time to make time for myself for several months, but I took a nice getaway last weekend to a cabin in the woods without internet or cell service, and am trying to commit to a better exercise schedule now that I have more time. You're absolutely right about working out - in 2020 it was a life saver but then more and more tasks ended up piling on me I didn't have the time or energy for it for much of 2021. I started a workout / mental health routine with a instructor I love online (not sure if recs are allowed and I'll be happy to delete this post if not, but Mind and Mountain with Sarah Histand is amazing) and my significant other is supportive and interested in doing it too. Thank you for all the advice and insights - much appreciated!

5. AnonymousNovember 24,2021 at 8:49PM UTC

   Take some time off if you haven't used it to prioritize your health. This is not a vacation, but rather rest to address your burn out.

   Further start giving your mind and body balance. I suspect you don't balance your life right now so now is the time to start incorporating down time in your routine. This is time where you will go for a long walk, get a massage, have a nice yoga stretching practice, spend time with family, lunch with friends, engage in hobbies and simply rest staring out a big window.

   You have to seek rest, schedule down time and change gears with interests and company that supports your soul.

   No you can't address burnout on vacation or running around doing diy projects or shopping for holiday gifts. No rushing around, no jammed packed days. You must leisurely balance your energy. Give your mind and body the rest it needs.

   There are countless TED Talks, blogs, vlogs and books & articles written on burnout and how detrimental it can be if not addressed fully and consistently.

6. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:54AM UTC

   Thank you for the advice - I'm trying to prioritize this but the holidays do make it difficult haha. You're "greedy" if you take time for yourself, right? It's so helpful to hear this - thank you.

7. DENNISE WILLIAMSNovember 24,2021 at 10:00PM UTC

   Ask for time off. You need rest and self care. Don't just stay home and watch TV. Talk to a counselor, get a massage, do nice things for yourself during your time off.

8. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:51AM UTC

   Thank you. Been doing this as much as I can, but I quit the counselor because I kept missing appointments because I was too busy with work. Hopefully I can get back to it now.

9. BreannaNovember 26,2021 at 2:10PM UTC

   I agree with all the comments recommending some time off.

   In my current role, I spoke to HR about time off for burn out and it turns out the company runs their own short term disability program, and can allow up to three weeks paid time off without a doctors note. I think this is exceptional, but if your boss is committed to improving your situation and recognizes that there were issues, they might be willing to put in a little extra in order to keep you on board.

10. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:50AM UTC

    Thank you. I have a feeling my board would absolutely not be okay with that (they had to be convinced to let us carry our vacation days over to a new year, which I actually thought was illegal to not give vacation day carryover but when I researched it wasn't), but I've been considering asking if I can take leave without pay in January for this very reason. If they fire me, hey, I can go find a new, better company to work for haha. I'm waiting until January because I have too many deadlines in December I still need to meet to take any time off.

11. AnonymousNovember 26,2021 at 4:14PM UTC

    Yeah. Oftentimes work is either stress or burnout or both. I work at a place with low expectations and after getting increasingly frustrated with the incompetence, I just gave in, did the minimum required, and stopped stressing as much.

12. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:47AM UTC

    I'm so sorry to hear you're in a similar situation. I know, given my co-worker's record, I can probably just do the minimum and get by but I don't know that I can do work when I don't care about it. I hope you can find a position you love as well, and if you're happy where you're at I'm glad you've learned how to reduce that stress.

13. Laura Ann KleinNovember 26,2021 at 5:58PM UTC

    This is fantastic advice! I'm saving it for myself. Thank you!

14. Laura Ann KleinNovember 26,2021 at 6:03PM UTC

    Chiming in to vote you take time off just for you. If you can safely get away alone or with a special friend/someone do this. While you're away make a point to seek out self-care activities. They don't have to be expensive or over the top, they can be as simple as a pedicure. But all the pedicures and facials and lazy days on a beach aren't going to help with your--understandable PTSD--if you have EAP seek out your free visits and begin healing with professional health. Do not underestimate the mind f---a toxic environment can do to your mental health, your sense of self, and your confidence. Thank goodness your boss finally got a clue and has turned things around. Best of luck to you and here's to a 2022 of healing and renewal.

15. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:40AM UTC

    Thank you! toxic environments are so tough and absolutely affect you like that. Then pandemic didn't help. I've been trying to surround myself with good people and push myself to overcome the social anxiety that came from this awful work environment.

16. KathyNovember 26,2021 at 6:29PM UTC

    Perhaps it's time, as others recommended, to take time off and look for a new position.

    I have felt the way you do and found that burnout hurt my performance reviews. By staying you are keeping all the resentment from the past two years bottled up inside.

    The best thing to do is to take some time off and look for a new position where your perspective is not tainted by the past two years of misery.

    Burnout is a serious disability.

    Good luck!

17. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:37AM UTC

    OP here - Thank you - I'm trying not to keep resentment built up - my boss was brand new as a non-profit leader, then COVID hit, then she got pregnant (and left for maternity leave for 3 months without putting anyone in charge which was the hardest point of all this), but as that parenthesis says I have trouble keeping some of the resentment out. I do have an application in to a similar organization doing similar work, and I've vetted it with a friend who works for them so while it won't be an easy job (is anything worthwhile easy?), it has good leadership according to my friend. I don't see myself here long term after the last two years, that's for sure.

18. AnonymousNovember 28,2021 at 1:30PM UTC

    Sitting and staring at your work, unable to meet deadlines could be more than a case of burnout. It is possible you have depression or even PTSD, since dealing with bullies for so long. A conversation with your Dr who can refer you to a specialist might be beneficial. I wouldn't quit before having an assessment and a chance to talk to someone who can help you figure it out. I wish you the very best.

19. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:32AM UTC

    Thank you. I'd been talking with a therapist and a career coach during the worst of this, but then things out of nowhere turned around. I feel some sort of obligation to see if this can be less a dumpster fire with the new staff, plus I actually really do care about the work I do. I didn't really consider PTSD, but in the course of all this I lost several people close to me as well, including my dad and several friends. The mean girl bullies would actually make jokes about the deaths of people I cared about and talk openly about how glad they were that no one they cared about had died. It was awful. Perhaps it's time to reconnect with my therapist.

20. KateNovember 29,2021 at 9:58PM UTC

    I am sorry for your losses. That had to be awful and then dealing with horrible people on top of it. Perhaps checking in would be beneficial. At least things improved, so you have a steady window of time to figure out if and when to make a move.

21. Laura Ann KleinNovember 30,2021 at 12:17AM UTC

    That you are still standing and haven't walked away from this job speaks to your resilience. People forget that PTSD doesn't just happen to people who have fought in wars or survived physical abuse. Being emotionally abused by anyone--like the work bullies--is a recipe for PTSD.

22. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 12:44AM UTC

    There are so many good suggestions here -thank you so much! You make some incredibly good suggestions all around, especially about the physical environment and the link to the mental. Your written list is also an incredible idea - I think it's time for a pro-con list for staying/continuing to look for a new position.

23. AnonymousNovember 29,2021 at 1:12AM UTC

    One of the things I have learned is that you can't fill from an empty cup. Find things to do each day to recharge your battery. It doesn't have to be huge-take 20 minutes each day just for yourself. You can write in a journal, do some yoga, take a nap, a bubble bath, work on a crossword puzzle or take a short walk. Listen to some music, chat with a friend and think of where you want to be in your personal and professional lives. Stress, loss and a heavy workload can cause a loss of motivation and focus and burying all the emotions until it feels safe to let them out.