Burnout or Big Shift? 6 tactics to take care and evaluate what matters

More than 15 months ago, COVID disrupted life as we once knew it. We’ve been through an emotional roller coaster over the last year as we managed collectively through a pandemic, race and social justice issues, a polarized political environment, homeschooling, social isolation, and completely new work environments. Businesses in some sectors thrived, while others innovated to stay relevant, yet others were forced to close their doors. Employees found new ways of working, and leaders learned the real value of empathy. 

As we slowly emerge from the pandemic and the economy continues to grow, some people find themselves situated differently than a year ago – both personally and professionally. Two key trends emerging in the workforce may cause further disruption – burnout and desire for change. The Microsoft Work Trend Index found that 40% of people want to change jobs this year, a U.K. and Ireland survey put the number at 38%, and a similar U.S. survey found 1 in 4 workers are planning to quit their job over the next few months. Are you one of these people?

Burnout is real, and it can impact the best of us. The isolation of working from home, combined with long hours and the lack of boundary between work and personal time is exhausting. In addition, people have struggled to maintain a healthy diet and exercise, further exacerbating the situation. Burnout leads to low motivation, short tempers, inability to focus, and poor work quality – all things that don’t make you great at your job. Left unchecked, burnout can derail careers. Thankfully, this can be remedied with a few simple tactics:

1. Take a vacation. And don’t even think about bringing your laptop - really unplug and reset.
2. Take care of yourself. Get back in the habit of eating healthy food and exercising. 
3. Manage your boundaries. Don’t let your calendar and technology manage you – take control. Decide what your boundaries are and enforce them. For example, I found I was working very late with most of my team on the west coast, so I made a change. I now workout every morning and go into the office an hour later. 

Is it time for a bigger change? The social experiment of the last year has forced us to re-evaluate our values, goals, and how we choose to spend our time. We may now place greater value on quality time with loved ones, found a new passion for philanthropy, prioritize a healthy lifestyle, or discovered a new hobby or business concept to pursue. 72% of workers say the pandemic caused them to rethink their skill sets. Now is a great time to re-evaluate your values. Whether you are considering a new position in your company or making a bigger career shift, these concepts can point you in the right direction:

1. Revisit what inspires you. Are you inspired by the mission of the work you are doing? 
2. Find your ideal work environment. Do you love going into an office and socializing with co-workers face-to-face? Did you thrive in the last year working from home full-time? The Microsoft survey found 73% of workers in their survey want the option of flexible remote work to continue, and 46% plan to move because of that flexibility. There has never been more flexibility in the market to work the way you want, so ask for what you want or find a position/employer that works best for you.
3. Get comfortable, being uncomfortable. Right now, we are all a little uncomfortable. This isn’t our norm. Change is hard – it forces us outside our comfort zone. Don’t let the fear of change hold you back. Embrace the concept that being uncomfortable leads to growth and opportunity, and just go for it!

We’ve collectively been through a lot over the past year. As our businesses and economy recover, now’s the time to take care of yourself, reassess your values, and emerge even stronger than before. Are you suffering from burnout or ready for a big shift? Take the time to care for yourself - it may be just what you need to reignite your passion.