Burnout: Need I Say More?

It's something we all experience at some point in our careers. With my busy schedule, I often have to battle burnout. Here are some tricks I use to combat it:

1: Saying No

Saying no may seem a little obvious, but the concept is much harder than it seems. As a young professional, I come across amazing opportunities every single day. Whether it's through connections or scrolling on LinkedIn, chances for professional development can become overwhelming. In high school and even into my freshman year of college, I may have been a little too ambitious to do everything. As freshmen, we are often encouraged to take advantage of every opportunity to get involved on campus and make friends, but nobody reminds us that class is still important. This year, I made a goal to say "no" more, not because I thought I had enough experience, but because I wanted to have the chance to say yes to the opportunities best suited to my future goals.

2: Taking Time For My Hobbies

I often get caught up in homework, club meetings, and organizational responsibilities and forget to do the things I enjoy. In the seasons where my schedule is extremely busy, I have learned I sometimes just need ot block out time on my calendar for my hobbies. Even throughout the day, I can drown in my to-do list, and I need to remind myself to take breaks. A break for me is reading a few chapters of a romantasy book, grabbing a coffee, or taking my dog for a walk. In the evenings, I put my responsibilities aside to cook dinner and play with my pup, Laramie, because they are both productive and enjoyable. I try to finish my to-do list during the week, so I have freedom on weekends to drive home to see my family, go out with my friends, or just stay at home and relax.

3: Establishing Goals

Goal setting is not easy for everyone, and it is most definitely an art. I have a tendency to set really big goals and not break them down into small attainable ones. Many mentors have encouraged me to set big goals and establish smaller ones that can be achieved in short periods, which will help me complete the big one over time. Goals can be personal, such as health, or professional, such as expanding your network.

These tips may seem obvious or self-explanatory, but taking the time to address the burnout before it hits is absolutely essential. If you are battling burnout right now, please feel free to reach out! I am at your disposal (and I love to share my advice and opinions).