Here's how you can prevent burnout: self-care practices for product managers.

To prevent burnout as a PM, prioritize tasks effectively. Identify and focus on high-impact activities while delegating or deferring less critical ones. Use tools like Eisenhower's matrix to categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. Set clear boundaries between work and personal life to ensure adequate rest and recovery. Schedule regular breaks and maintain a consistent work routine. Prioritizing self-care, such as exercise, hobbies, and social activities, is crucial to maintaining mental and physical health. Remember, a balanced approach leads to sustained productivity and job satisfaction.

Set Boundaries Define Work Hours: Stick to a schedule and avoid work outside those hours. Manage Expectations: Communicate your limits to your team and stakeholders. Prioritize Tasks Focus on Impact: Prioritize tasks that make the biggest difference. Delegate Effectively Trust Your Team: Delegate tasks to your team based on their strengths. Empower Others: Encourage ownership and collaboration. Take Regular Breaks Microbreaks: Short breaks can boost your focus. Stay Organized Plan Your Day: Start with a clear list of priorities. Review and Adjust: Regularly reassess your plans. Maintain Physical Health Exercise: Aim for 30 minutes of exercise most days. Eat Well: Keep your diet balanced for steady energy.

Having worked in a global role where I speak with customers in virtually every time zone the approach I've found that works best is set aside some days for morning meetings and others for even meetings but never both in the same day. I also never take meetings outside of regular business hours from the office but rather work from home on days where I start early or end late. The key thing is to strike a balance that works for you and continually engage with customers to ensure that there's a strong feedback loop as you develop and improve your product(s).

Don’t fall into the trap of labelling everything as P0! Build a system (prioritising framework) instead. Be ruthless. Doesn’t matter if the request is from a high value customer, higher leadership, or even the CEO. Either the request goes through your system -or- your system evolves to accommodate factors you missed. Remember that the success of this greatly hinges on how well you Advertise it internally to all your stakeholders. When you start doing this process, religiously, you will automatically see the work on your table that you have to do now will start looking much less and more focused. 😌

So often people are working hard at the wrong thing. Working on the right thing is probably more important than working hard. "Burnout is about resentment. [Preventing it is] about knowing yourself well enough to know what it is you're giving up that makes you resentful." Remember, self-care is essential for long-term success and well-being in your product management career. It's a marathon and not a sprint, that is why you have to learn to pace yourself for this long journey of endurance.

I've personally found that "boundaries" tend not to work well for me, because I'm trying to create an "absence of work" rather than a "presence of something else." Instead of trying to carve out empty space, I've found that committing my focus and time to non-work has been much more effective! Have a sports team that you love to root for? Schedule it on the calendar! Want to help local kids excel in education? Schedule time to tutor them! Love watching birds? Commit a specific time on your agenda!

To keep a good balance between work and personal life, set clear boundaries. Choose work hours that help you stay focused and tell your team about them. Stick to your limits, like turning off work messages after work or saying no to meetings outside your work hours. Taking care of your personal time helps you feel better and stay healthy.

Preventing burnout as a product manager involves setting clear boundaries. Adopt the time-blocking framework to allocate specific periods for focused work, meetings, and breaks. Clearly define your working hours and communicate them to your team to avoid after-hours work. Use tools like Slack's "Do Not Disturb" mode to protect your downtime. This approach helps maintain a healthy work-life balance, ensuring you have time to recharge and stay productive. Setting and respecting boundaries is essential for sustainable performance and well-being.

Establishing defined work hours promotes focused productivity and prevents work from encroaching on personal time. Communicating these boundaries to the team and stakeholders is key, and it's essential to stand firm in upholding them. This could involve turning off work notifications after hours or declining meetings outside designated work times. Protecting personal time is vital for recharging and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Juggling a strategic alliance role, post-grad studies in product management, and self-care taught me that boundaries aren't just a nice-to-have, they're non-negotiable. As a former tech founder, I used to wear my 24/7 availability as a badge of honour. It wasn't until burnout hit that I realized the fallacy of this approach. Now, I fiercely protect my personal time – no work emails after 7 PM, weekends are sacred. This not only makes me a happier human, but also a more focused and effective product manager. Remember, you can't pour from an empty cup.

Something that I learned early in my career: even when you're taking a physical break, your brain is still mulling over recent problems - it's just doing so in the background, and it's doing so from a different angle. I think that's AWESOME! It's essentially a two-for-one deal: I get to stretch my legs and get my blood flowing while my brain re-evaluates its approach to the problem. More often than not, once I come back from a break, I have a breakthrough. The next time you're jammed on a problem, you may as well take a break - you'll unlock more progress that way!

Preventing burnout as a product manager starts with mindful self-care. One effective practice is to shift your focus regularly, which can bring new perspectives and energize you for work. Take short 10-15 minute breaks every hour. While screen time is inevitable, these breaks help protect your eyes and mental well-being. They also re-energize you, enhancing focus and productivity. Additionally, taking holidays is crucial. Regular time off to travel with family or friends, or even solo, can offer fresh ideas and solutions to long-standing issues. It provides a new perspective on life and work. Prioritizing self-care is essential for sustaining productivity and creativity.

When working from home it's more difficult to disconnect as the line between work and life is a little bit more blurry. What I try to do is stop midday and share some time with my family if they are around. Otherwise, just spend some time doing other stuffs but working, away from the computer and not checking messages on my phone. This helps my mind rest for a little bit.

Use breaks to - 1. Reflect on current projects and challenges, allowing your mind to rest and refocus on innovative solutions. 2. Engage in physical activities like walking, jogging, or playing to boost energy levels and stimulate creative thinking. 3. Brainstorm ideas with colleagues or mentors, encouraging fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. 4. Disconnect from work and technology, allowing your mind to relax and reset, which can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.

Take breaks that truly refresh you by incorporating mindfulness practices. Spend a few minutes each day meditating or practicing mindfulness to reduce stress and sharpen your focus. Try deep breathing exercises to calm your mind, especially during tense moments. Additionally, engage in yoga or simple stretching exercises to relieve physical tension and clear your mind. These mindful breaks can make a significant difference in your overall well-being.

Regularly connecting with a trusted mentor for guidance and colleagues for honest feedback creates a powerful support system. This network can help you navigate challenges, gain fresh perspectives, and feel less alone in the face of many demands.

Product managers often feel the need to shoulder all responsibilities alone, but seeking support from colleagues or mentors can alleviate stress. Here's how to prevent burnout: 👉 Build a Support Network: Engage with colleagues and mentors for guidance. Establish Boundaries: Set work hours and designate no-work zones. 👉 Prioritize Health: Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet. 👉 Practice Mindfulness: Meditate and enjoy hobbies. Manage Time: Prioritize tasks and delegate when possible. 👉 Take Breaks: Rest regularly and use vacation time. Professional Development: Stay updated through continuous learning. 👉 Seek Support: Maintain strong relationships and consider therapy.

Contrarian take: you are your most constant companion. Many times, we engage in negative self-talk, which winds up wearing us down. I've personally found that it helps to put myself into a sort of "time out", and to gently ask myself: "Why are you speaking so negatively to me? Is there anything we can do together to change that?" When I'm able to coax my inner voice from the stance of "loudest critic" to the stance of "most dependable ally", I find that most problems become significantly easier to navigate.

Since product managers always taking decisions and constantly managing emotions, all of this can take a toll on them. They can feel overstressed and probably often stretched in their role. They should be able to seek out support in their management and in their fellow colleagues. Support will only help them be able to speak up their mind and be able to bounce off ideas without feeling stuck and frustrated.

Discussing challenges with someone who understands the pressures of the role can provide valuable guidance and offer a fresh perspective. Building a supportive network helps navigate difficult situations and provides emotional support, reminding you that you're not alone in facing the demands of product management. Collaboration and shared experiences can be invaluable resources in managing the complexities of the role effectively.

As product managers, we run "blameless retrospectives" all the time. It's not too much of a stretch to extend this practice to our own day-to-day work as PMs! When I've made a mistake, I find it helpful to frame it this way: * What's something I did well in this situation? * What's something I could've done better in this situation? * What's one thing I'm going to do differently next time? By putting action items against my mistakes (rather than putting myself into endless self-blame mode), I find that it's easier to focus and move on from the past.

We are often our worst critics but if we are not kind ourselves no one else will be. Self compassion and learning from your mistakes is a key to growth in a product management role.

Instead of harsh self-criticism, embracing self-compassion involves acknowledging efforts, and fostering a growth-oriented mindset. By treating ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we would offer a friend, we can reduce stress, prevent burnout, and cultivate a healthier approach to our work.

As a product manager it is very important to be comfortable with ambiguities. It takes a while to realize it and it could demotivate you until you reach that stage. It is very important to realize that it is a learning process and that ambiguity is where all product requirements begin!

Self care / compassion are often overlooked. Something as simple as enjoying your favorite song or a short walk outside can help you reset. As a product manager, we are not strangers to surveys, send one out asking people for their Self Care ideas, the conversation along with some new ideas will have you on your way. It may also help remind others to practice self compassion too.

The best way is to adopt JOB + HOBBY == JOBBY. This sounds weird. I know. But, its the term that defines you with some funny and catchy word that makes your work as your hobby.

Understand and realize that work is just one aspect of your life. Pursue personal hobbies and projects on a weekly basis. Some of the biggest growth and learnings that I have gained is from pursuing personal projects outside of the workplace.

Recognise that your life is made up of more than just your job. Weekly pursuit of own interests and initiatives is recommended. My pursuit of personal pursuits outside of work has yielded some of my greatest learnings and growth experiences. Taking part in extracurricular activities is crucial to preventing burnout and preserving personal wellbeing. Engaging in musical performance, athletics, or gardening are all beneficial ways to decompress from the pressures of the workplace. They provide you the chance to unwind, lower your stress level, and approach your work with new eyes. Making time for these interests promotes enjoyment and creativity while assisting in the maintenance of a balanced existence.

Engaging in activities outside of work is essential for avoiding burnout and maintaining personal well-being. Whether it’s playing a musical instrument, participating in sports, or gardening, these activities provide a healthy escape from the demands of work. They allow you to recharge, reduce stress, and bring a fresh perspective to your professional responsibilities. Ensuring time for these pursuits helps maintain a balanced life, fostering happiness and creativity. Encouraging your team to do the same can lead to a more energized and productive work environment, where everyone brings their best self to their roles.

I strongly believe in maintaining a simple yet often overlooked triad outside of work: quality sleep, balanced nutrition, and regular physical activity. When we lack quality sleep, we biologically struggle to make decisions due to hormonal imbalances and accumulated stress. Over time, this leads to overload from low productivity and an inability to make crucial decisions that can impact the product or company. Without a routine that adheres to this triad, even if simple, burnout is inevitable. Speaking from personal experience. Therefore, sleep, nutrition, and exercise are key.

Creating a conducive work environment is crucial for preventing burnout and boosting productivity. I have some ideas about the ideal work environment: - Ergonomic Setup: Ensure your workspace includes a comfortable chair, proper desk height, and adequate lighting to reduce physical strain. - Personalization: Decorate your space with items that inspire and motivate you. - Minimize Distractions: Keep your work area organized and consider using noise-canceling headphones. - Cleanliness: Maintain a clean desk to promote focus and efficiency. - Comfort: Create a physically and mentally comfortable workspace to enhance well-being and job satisfaction.

If you don't get excited to spend time with customers to see how your solutions solve their problems, product management likely isn't the right role for you. Make the effort to interact with customers, sales teams and the industry to see the true value of your solutions. It will help you prioritize and see the value you bring the company.

Self-care isn't just for product managers—it's vital for all professionals. 1) Physical activity can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Schedule regular workouts, whether it's a morning run, yoga, or a gym session. 2) Engage in mindfulness or meditation practices to stay grounded and reduce stress. 3) Maintain a support network of friends, family, or colleagues. 4) Eat balanced meals and stay hydrated. Proper nutrition can impact your energy levels and overall mood.

It's crucial for product managers to minimize negative internalization as a form of mental health self-care. Embracing who we are, finding intrinsic motivation, and defining success on our own terms are essential steps. For anyone looking to build resilience and grit, I highly recommend reading "The Daily Stoic." It offers valuable insights that can help us maintain our mental well-being in the demanding field of product management.