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How to Prevent Burnouts

  • Writer: Ashley Fern
    Ashley Fern
  • Jul 28, 2021
  • 4 min read

Updated: Sep 8, 2021

Written by: Ashley Fern

Have you ever had one of THOSE weeks? Where it just feels like you have 101 things to do, but you just can't find the energy to get started?

You feel tired, demotivated, overwhelmed, irritable, sometimes even physically unwell... Another burnout.


Why it Happens

It's no surprise burnouts occur. The world sets unrealistic expectations upon us, under the cover of "productivity". And we, being creatures naturally seeking perfection and recognition, strive to be as "productive" as we possibly could be.


"Wow, she's always so busy..." Sound familiar?

We often hear praise for people who appear to be busy, and hold many responsibilities, as if busy = productive. In fact, sometimes we may even catch ourselves saying (not without a hint of pride), "I have so much to do this week!"


And that's how we find ourselves boarding the train to burnouts.


The truth is, these are what productivity is NOT:

1. Being Busy All the Time

This is not something to be proud of. Either we have taken on too many tasks (see point 2), or we are not being efficient with our time and effort.


2. Taking on Many Responsibilities

While it is difficult to say no at times, we should not actively seek out more things to do for the sake of being "productive". This would only drain our mental and physical energy as tasks are completed, resulting in each subsequent task taking longer. This is the natural result of depleted energy levels - we simply find it increasingly difficult to focus.


3. Having to Complete All Goals

Yes, goals are set in order to motivate us into achieving them. And we would likely be able to achieve goals, if set realistically, and if the days play out as planned. But that's not usually the case, is it? New tasks and unexpected situations occur daily, and without warning - throwing our planning off its tracks.


But just because we aren't able to complete ALL goals, does not mean we haven't been productive!


4. Multitasking

There are many debates about the value of multitasking, including its definition. Is someone who wears many hats multitasking? Or the person who is quite literally doing multiple tasks at a time?


Here, I am referring to the latter - such as listening to a webinar while writing up that work report.


Scientifically, multitasking is impossible. What really happens, is that we're making our brains switch its focus from task to task at rapid intervals.


So while you listen to that webinar, it is highly unlikely that you are typing in that same moment. And if you are almost simultaneously doing both tasks, that simply means you are exhausting your brain more than you needed to, so that it switches attention from task to task quickly. This will result in lower energy levels than if you had first finished that report, then watched the webinar recording.


5. Starting the Day Early

Ah, the age-old war between early-birds and night-owls that, to this day, has seen no end. We see many successful people who are early-birds, but I am certain there are plenty who are night-owls as well. Those who are both, are superhuman (or secret nappers).


It really isn't about how early you start your day, but how many hours of the day you utilise. So if your "extra" hours are at night - then so be it!


So How Do I Be Productive, Without Burning Out?

Now that we've debunked some of the productivity myths, let's get to making our lives more productive, comfortably.


1. Productivity = Efficiency

First and foremost, there is literally a formula for this.

Output = Productivity Input

Assuming we have a task to complete, this means that "output" is fixed. Mathematically, the way to increase productivity is then to reduce the input.


In English, productivity means efficiency, whereby we put in less time and effort (input) to complete a task (output).


2. Doing Fewer Things, With More Quality

This is something that's quite clear, but easily overlooked in the hectic reality that is our lives.


Isn't it better to have 10 tasks completed well, than to have 20 things done with a sub-par quality?


Using the formula, there would be several outcomes if we chose to do more, but sacrifice quality:

  1. Due to lackluster performance, "output" is substantially cut in half. (If you think this isn't measurable, wait till you get your boss' feedback). This means there is no difference in productivity than if only 10 tasks were taken on but completed with quality.

  2. Not only is "output" halved due to sub-par quality, input increases due to more time required to complete tasks as we begin to lose focus. This means productivity is in fact, lower.

3. Focusing on the Task at Hand

By now, it should be quite clear that multitasking is an unnecessary drain on brain power. If we practice focus, or mindfulness, we will be able to complete tasks more effectively. This is because we will be able to tackle issues with clarity, with more energy and alertness - thus completing the task quicker and better.


4. Doing Tasks One at a Time

One way to do this, is to book time for each task. For example, instead of checking emails intermittently between other types of work, set up specific hours of the day to work through them. We tend to increase productivity when doing similar tasks at the same time, as we will not need to change the state of mind or techniques when completing those tasks.


This takes discipline, as we will have to learn to tune out other tasks which are not urgent (even if it feels like it).


5. Targeting High-Energy Timeslots for Important Tasks

This goes beyond identifying whether you're a better early-bird or night-owl, although that's the first step. It shows that you've found out one of your "high-energy" slots, which is at night rather than the wee hours of the morning.


But we often have other periods of relatively higher energy or alertness, and it is crucial to identify these "windows of productivity" to which we can assign more important (or difficult) tasks.

These are what I have learned through experience and my never-ending search for improvement. Hope this helps, or at least reassures some of you.


Here's to happy, productive lives!




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