Burnout is something that can happen to anyone, no matter their job. Everyone can feel burned out at some point, and if you have been taking on more work than usual, you could reach that point sooner. Burnout can affect you mentally, emotionally, and physically. However, there are a few ways you can motivate yourself, even when the going gets tough.
Step Back and Treat Yourself
You can't keep going if you don’t take the time to rest and recharge. Treating yourself to a vacation or getaway can help you relax, and it gives you something to look forward to as you plan your trip. Taking a week or even a long weekend away from work can do wonders for your enthusiasm and motivation.
Planning a vacation can be expensive, but it can be a great way to reward yourself when you hit a new milestone. Knowing that you will allow yourself this reward can motivate you to work harder to hit that goal. One way of making a getaway more attainable is by taking out a personal loan to help cover the cost. If you are thinking about getting one, it’s a good idea to know how they work, so you can review a guide with more information on what you need to know.
Remember Your End Goals
It can help to remember why you do what you do. What did you hope to accomplish when you started, and how close are you to achieving those goals? Have you set new ones since? If you are unsure, take some time to sit down and write down motivating factors, your ambitions, and things you have been successful at in the past. This helps you get through the smaller, everyday tasks that put you closer to your goals.
Don’t Keep Your Challenges to Yourself
If you are feeling like you can’t do it by yourself, don’t keep things bottled up inside. Turn to others when you need help. Perhaps you can find someone in your network, like a former manager, who has also gone through these challenges. They may be able to share their knowledge and experiences with you.
You can also try sharing your challenges with your team. Chances are, you are not alone in your struggles. Whether you are in a leadership position or not, you can still get support from others at work. You may be able to reach out to friends or family members to help with personal obligations if you are finding it hard to balance both work and family.
Take Time to Unplug
You are likely surrounded by technology, both at work and at home. While it can help you be much more productive, it can also be a distraction from family time or self-care. Make sure you are spending enough time away from your electronic devices so you can truly live in the moment with your family and friends. Turn your phone on silent so you don’t have to be distracted by messages or phone calls from work, and let your team know you won’t be reachable at these times. This helps you put some physical distance between yourself and common stressors, which can help you focus on relationships that are important to you.
Create a Regular Routine
Even if you have not normally stuck to a schedule, having a regular routine can help you get into the swing of things, and it can help you feel like you are more in control. Consider setting deadlines throughout your workday. This can give you a feeling of accomplishment that you have met your goals for the day. Make sure your schedule is realistic.
If you hate getting up early, starting your day at 6 in the morning is unlikely to be successful long-term. Make sure you work breaks into the day, and make sure you have something you can look forward to at night when the day is over. If you tend to procrastinate, consider tackling your most disliked tasks near the start of your day. This lets you get them out of the way, so you aren’t dreading them throughout your workday. It also gives you the freedom to relax with tasks that are easier or less time-consuming.