332
When you try things to combat burnout, but keep on burning out
I’m so glad to have found this group! I am about a year deep into burnout at my job. I’ve tried various strategies for trying to pull myself out but it seems to be getting deeper and deeper. I started standing up and putting boundaries up to ridiculous requests at work, and it seems my situation has worsened because of my willingness to speak up. Has anyone experienced something like this? I feel it in my bones that my employer is toxic, and I need to leave. But we are a dual-income household and I need to have something else lined up before quitting entirely.
I’ve been on the job market searching for 2+ years now. It’s getting depressing.
Chandra GuptaP vs NP solver, Scientist, Software Engineer
98
01/16/20 at 2:28PM UTC
Continuing on .... for one, I'm glad to hear that you spoke up and put boundaries and are still employed - but it made things worse for you at work.
Perhaps you should start a diary, a blog, writing down your ideas on what is wrong - make a list of top 5 things that are wrong with your job role - what are the most painful things. These are called "pain points".
Next for each pain point, write your expectation of the ideal way that things should be in such that the pain goes away.
For example: say pain point is an annoying neighboring co-worker who daily has a 2-hour chat on the phone or in person right at the desk in a foreign (non-English) language. This loud conversation more than distracts and disturbs you - it gives you stress and puts you on the path to developing blood pressure or heart attack.
You would write:
Pain Point: loud disruptive coworker. Ideally : relocate coworker or relocate you.
Once you have the pain points listed, prepare your story - to present - to your manager for each point.
Next, review your list and stories but from the perspective of the manager. Put yourself in your manager's shoes and write down a list of questions the manager might have and suggestions the manager might have. The manager may ask you to change or look for a new job within or outside ; this may be a positive (it usually is because speaking up is considered a good quality in workers) but it does mean you have to take on more responsibilities and be prepared to handle pain points and troubling situations as you evolve towards managerial roles.
Chandra GuptaP vs NP solver, Scientist, Software Engineer
98
01/13/20 at 5:21PM UTC
Hmm. I've been through burnout - and worse - and reality is that surviving burnout puts you into a completely different and new and changed lifestyle - and work naturally.
Be prepared to work at lower levels, make lesser money, and spend less money. That's your way out of burnout - consistently and all the time.
Tarah KeechLife Coach for Leaders
561
01/12/20 at 7:48PM UTC (Edited)
Hi Kelli and thank you for sharing. Your story is parallel to many other women's. What is it that you most want on your job? And in this job specifically?
Think the big picture stuff and the less obvious details that matter to you.
Kelli FemriteBlogger for Working Mom Career Support.
332
01/20/20 at 6:10PM UTC
I'd ideally love a work from home, or partial work from home role, and one that is creative in nature. I'd love to work for an organization with a mission-driven purpose - a purpose I can really stand behind and be passionate about.
