5 Mistakes to Avoid When Dealing with Burnout

Feb 20

Burnout. It’s the term we’ve come to associate with exhaustion, stress, and that creeping feeling of hopelessness. But what if burnout isn’t just a personal failure to handle stress? What if its root cause lies in deeper systemic issues like the relentless hustle culture and unchecked capitalism putting a dollar amount of human time and energy?

Professionals are increasingly becoming aware of these forces, seeking strategies to recover from burnout and reclaim their lives. At the heart of this shift lies the age-old phrase—work-life balance.

This post will explore the critical relationship between burnout and balance, the 5 mistakes to avoid when dealing with burnout or when trying to establish a healthier life dynamic, and actionable steps that can make a real difference.

The Connection Between Burnout and Balance

Burnout goes far beyond everyday exhaustion or "feeling tired". The World Health Organization defines burnout as a syndrome stemming from chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been properly managed. Symptoms include feelings of exhaustion, a lack of enthusiasm or negativity toward your job, and reduced professional efficacy.

But here’s the kicker—burnout doesn’t happen in isolation. It thrives when there’s a lack of balance between work and life.

Work-life balance is the equilibrium where your personal life, family, and hobbies coexist in harmony with your career. When this balance tips too far in favor of work, the relentless demands and lack of downtime prime you for burnout.

For corporate professionals, this imbalance is further exacerbated by systemic pressures:

Hustle Culture: The glorification of overwork, where long hours and constant availability are seen as badges of honor.
Capitalism’s 'Time is Money' Philosophy: - A belief that time has a dollar value, making it something to "spend" or "invest" — and something you can waste, leaving you feeling guilty for resting or doing anything unrelated to earning money.
Productivity Obsession: Your worth is tied to how much you produce, leaving little room for rest or personal growth.
Technological Overreach: Remote work and constant connectivity blur the lines between work and personal life.

Without intentional boundaries, these factors make work-life balance impossible.

Add on motherhood, friendships, and family obligations— balance is out the window!

The constant demands of work coupled with the pressures of modern life, leave little room for personal well-being. It can feel like there’s no time left for yourself, let alone for rest and relaxation.

The Common Pitfalls When Addressing Burnout

When people find themselves burnt out, many rush toward surface-level fixes in an attempt to regain balance. But while these efforts are well-meaning, they often fall short. Why? Because they fail to address the root causes. Here are 5 mistakes to avoid when dealing with burnout:

1. Doubling Down with More Work

It’s easy to assume that the solution to burnout is simply to work harder and push through. Have you ever found yourself saving:

"After this project, then I'll ...."
"Once I get that promotion, ..."
"When things settle down, I'll ..."

This mindset only perpetuates the problem, leaving you in a cycle of overwork and burnout. The adrenaline fueling you to the next deadline may provide a temporary distraction from burnout symptoms, but it's a short-term solution that doesn't address the underlying issue—neglecting self-care and balance.

2. Overusing Quick Fixes

When feeling overwhelmed and stressed, quick fixes may seem like a promising solution. These can include indulging in unhealthy habits such as binge-watching TV, excessive shopping, or turning to substances for comfort. While these activities may provide temporary relief, they merely serve as coping mechanisms.

They do not address the root causes of burnout and can even exacerbate the problem in the long run. It's important to find healthier coping mechanisms (like journaling) and the underlying issues causing burnout.

3. Treating Burnout as a Personal Failure

One of the most damaging myths is that burnout reflects a personal inability to handle pressure. This isolates individuals and ignores the systemic issues at play, like toxic work environments or unrealistic expectations.

4. Efficiency Vs Empty

Many believe their productivity is to blame, thinking that with better time management or a superior to-do list, they can accomplish everything and avoid burnout. But the problem isn’t a lack of efficiency—there’s simply no gas left in the tank.

5. Ignoring the organizational culture

When addressing burnout— it's every woman for themselves. For fear of being labeled weak, a slacker, or getting the dreaded "below expectation"; employees are forced to hide any signs of burnout at work and push forward. But burnout isn't an individual issue, it's a reflection of the overall organizational culture. When organizations and leadership policies and practices force individuals to pick up their slack, burnout is a natural consequence. Employees didn't get here all by themselves, so why do organizations leave employees alone fending for themselves?

What to Do Instead

Remember, working more isn’t always the answer. “Work smarter, not harder” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s about managing your workload sustainably. High-achievers rarely struggle with doing too little or being "lazy," so when faced with an obstacle, focus on finding a solution rooted in sustainable productivity rather than simply working faster or taking more work.

Coping mechanisms are a double-edged sword. Negative coping mechanisms can lead to your self-destruction, while positive coping mechanisms can re-energize you. It comes down to how your coping mechanisms align with your long-term goals. Ask yourself:

Will this behavior get me to my 80's with health and vitality?
Is this something doctors would recommend?
How will I feel next week about this action?

Shifting to positive coping mechanisms can prevent burnout while keeping you focused on what truly matters— your health.

Additionally, the constant push to “do it all” can make it easy to sacrifice the downtime you need to recharge. But you don’t have to fall into that trap. Check in with yourself regularly. Assess your energy levels and ensure you're not pushing yourself to the brink.

Finally, Hold your organization accountable. Document your boss's ever-changing demands—and the choice to do them (or not) is entirely yours! Make sure that all the sacrifices and compromises you're making are leading to the results you predict by getting those commitments in writing.

Focusing on sustainable productivity, positive coping mechanisms, and clear boundaries can help you navigate challenges without compromising your personal well-being and maintain clarity on what you’re working toward.

Take the Burnout Quiz

Don't let burnout take control of your life. Feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about whether you're experiencing burnout? Begin feeling better by understanding where you stand on the burnout scale. Take our free burnout quiz today to gain valuable insights into your current state and discover tailored strategies to regain balance and control. Start the quiz now!