10 ways to change your lifestyle to avoid the burn-on phase altogether

In the modern world, where overworking and hustling is so often encouraged, it can be very easy to fall into a state of burn-on without realising it is happening.

Here are Austin’s 10 tips on how to avoid the pre-burnout phase altogether.

Set clear boundaries – establish clear boundaries between work and personal life by defining specific work hours and stick to them, ensuring you avoid checking emails or working during off-hours if not specified.
Prioritise tasks – make a to-do list and prioritise tasks. Focus on completing the most important and urgent tasks first and then delegate or postpone less important tasks for a later time. A good way to do this is by using your Outlook calendar or any diary-format tools.
Take regular breaks – it’s important to break up your workday with short, regular breaks. Try to use techniques like the pomodoro technique (work for 25 minutes, then take a five-minute break) to stay focused and refreshed and can therefore boost productivity.
Seek support – if you’re feeling overwhelmed, talk to your supervisor, colleagues or HR department about your workload and concerns. Seeking collaboration and support can make a significant difference and help your colleagues understand how you feel, and hopefully see where they can help.
Break tasks into smaller steps – large projects can feel daunting sometimes. Try breaking them into smaller, manageable steps to prevent feeling overwhelmed, taking each step as it comes.
Celebrate achievements – ensure you acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments, no matter how small. This is a great positive reinforcement that can help boost your motivation and overall reduce stress.
Switch off after work – disconnect from work-related devices and platforms after your workday ends in order to give yourself time to recharge and engage in non-work activities, such as hobbies and other interests.
Regular exercise and healthy diet – it goes without saying that regular physical activity and a balanced diet contribute to your overall energy levels and resilience to stress, therefore introducing exercise into your daily routine, even as small as a brisk walk, can help reduce stress levels and a clearer mind.
Stay organised – keep your workspace organised to minimise clutter and create a more conducive environment for focused work.
Take holidays – use your holiday allocation to completely disconnect from work and recharge. It’s important to take breaks and is essential for long-term sustainability.

A candle can’t keep burning forever – eventually, it’ll go out. Burn-on is the silent sister of burnout. In fact, it often sneaks up on you in the weeks and months before you reach a state of burnout that becomes unsustainable. So, if you feel yourself pushing your career to the limits, remember to take a step back and bring the same balance into your work life – because we can’t keep burning on forever.

‘Burn-on’: a career coach discusses 10 ways to avoid burn-on before you’re burnt out