Burnout or Winter Hibernation?
Lately, I’ve been feeling kind of strange. I’ve been pacing back and forth in my apartment, eating a lot, sleeping a lot, and staying up late. I’m trying to figure out what’s going on with me and I’m writing this post to see if any of you can relate.
New Year, New Goals
Before the New Year, I made a plan to focus on my fitness, finances, and reading. I put up a whiteboard with four boxes and every day, I try to check off the boxes for my goals (running, reading, and paying off debt). I go for a run, come back and look in the mirror, and tell myself “one year.” Then I pay off some debt and tell myself “eight months.”
What Is Burnout?
I’m currently reading a book called “Do Hard Things” by Steve Magnesse, which talks about the science behind being persistent instead of just being tough. The book mentions burnout, which is when you feel really tired and stressed out because of work. It turns out that burnout is more common now that lots of people are working from home. Even when you’re just in your underwear at home, your mind can still be connected to work because you’ve started to associate work with a certain place in your apartment where you do zoom meetings, check Slack, or fill out Google sheets.
What Can You Do About Burnout?
I don’t have a magic solution for burnout, but I do think it’s important to have goals that you’re slowly working towards. It can help to have a whiteboard or something where you can track your progress and see how far you’ve come. As Tracy Morgan from SNL once said, “Happiness is having something to look forward to.” That’s not the only definition of happiness, but it does help to have something to look forward to when you’re alone in your head. So if you or someone you care about is feeling burnt out, it might be helpful to ask if they have something to look forward to.
On a Side Note
It’s important to note that this post is not about depression or any other serious mental health condition. It’s simply about taking a feeling that you might be experiencing at this time of year and finding ways to manage it in a healthy way. If you’re concerned about your mental health, it’s always a good idea to talk to a mental health professional or seek support from friends and family.
In Conclusion
In conclusion, burnout can be a common and serious issue, especially in the post COVID-19 era when many of us are working from home. It’s important to take steps to prevent and manage burnout, including setting goals and practicing self-care. Remember to listen to your body and seek support if you’re feeling overwhelmed. By taking care of yourself, you can stay focused and productive, and avoid the negative consequences of burnout.
PS
Don’t forget that you can order delicious fresh coffee (from G Coffee of course)! It’s been scientifically proven that coffee IS conducive to positive energy and can make your mornings a little bit more enjoyable. Just putting that out there to let you know. Talk to you soon.