Are you burning out frequently at work?
Is it making you question your life choices?
I say that in jest, but I actually did want to explore this as an adjacent post to the 5-part series called The Busy Season Survival Guide, published recently.
I burn out at least twice per year, sometimes more. It can take weeks to recover if it really hits you, so I’ve certainly felt like I had spent some years of my career more burnt out than not… Yet my working environment is awesome, I have great coworkers, and I love helping our clients.
What do you do with that?
When I was writing the Guide, in the back of my mind was the question: If you’re having to do all of this work just to minimize burnout, are you even in the right profession? Is it ever “okay” to burn out? Am I nuts? (Probably, yes.)
The reality is, everyone has different circumstances. Some probably should leave their jobs, but can’t. Others are better off keeping their jobs, and just need strategies to cope better. (The latter is the target audience for the Guide.)
In this post I’ll share some thoughts on when it’s fine to accept burnout as “just part of the job”, and when it’s probably not.
[Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional or career counsellor, just an accountant with a hobby blog!]
What Makes Burnout “Okay”
In my industry, “busy season burnout” is practically written into the job description! So it’s become a normal, expected part of everyone’s career.
Is that okay, though? Well, it probably depends on your values, financial needs, and preferred lifestyle. If I were questioning my career choices, I’d probably start by examining these factors.
Here are a few things that can make recurring burnout tolerable:
- The burnout is not completely “out of control” and random – it’s generally predictable and temporary.
- You’re not grinding to the point of burnout alone – when work gets busy, it’s a team effort.
- In the grand scheme of things, it feels worthwhile to push through periods of burnout to accomplish your goals (for example, having a lifestyle you love for the rest of the year).
- You have an understanding and supportive workplace. A demanding job does not necessarily equate to a “toxic workplace”. You can have a healthy working environment and still experience burnout.
- Your efforts are both well-compensated and well-appreciated.
- Although it takes time and effort to manage, the burnout is manageable.
Of course, these ideas are just a jumping-off point. Take an honest look and assess for yourself what is reasonable for you!
If you’re on the blog because you’re a creative soul navigating the corporate role, check out the post The Reciprocal Relationship Between Creativity and Career and see what resonates. (Note to self: that post needs a facelift, but the content still stands!) It offers five ways in which your career can support your creativity. You may find that it’s worth it to slog through the busier times for the benefits that your career can bring!
When Burnout is a Red Flag
Sometimes it’s not worth it to push through cycles of burnout, such as when:
- The burnout is just a symptom of a greater issue (for example, your workplace has traits of toxicity).
- It never seems to end and you can’t take a break to recover.
- The burnout feels extreme to the extent that you can’t manage it. It significantly impacts other aspects of your life.
- It just doesn’t seem worth it to you – the benefit doesn’t justify the means.
- It feels like you have to compromise on your values to continue on.
If you’re sensing these, then it could be time to move on!
Of course, that’s not always an option. In that case, last week I wrote about what to do when you’re Burnt Out at Work But Can’t Pull Back, which is an inward journey of understanding. If you can’t change your circumstances, you’re next step might be to try a change of perspective.
Otherwise, whether you need to ride it out until a change is feasible, or you just want to see if you can bloom where you’re planted, you can check out the Busy Season Survival Guide for strategies to manage your busiest seasons!
