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Dealing with Burnout at Work or School

Burnout is a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or overwhelming workloads. Whether you’re navigating the demands of a fast-paced job or managing a heavy academic load, burnout can creep up on you when you least expect it. There are practical steps you can take to combat burnout and maintain a healthy balance between work, school, and personal well-being. By incorporating self-care, time management, and mindful coping strategies, you can boost productivity, foster a positive mindset, and prevent burnout from taking over.

Part 1: The Importance of Doing Your Best—But Not Overextending Yourself

It’s natural to want to perform well in everything you do, whether it’s at work or school. However, it’s essential to recognize that doing your best doesn’t mean striving for perfection. Setting realistic expectations for yourself is key. When you aim for excellence, rather than perfection, you allow yourself to succeed without putting undue pressure on yourself.

• Focus on progress rather than perfection.
• Set achievable goals and celebrate small wins along the way.
• Remember, it’s okay to make mistakes. They are opportunities to learn and grow.

The goal is to be proud of the effort you put in, not to get lost in the belief that you need to constantly outdo yourself. Keep in mind that your best will vary depending on the day, and that’s completely okay. Striving for balance is far more sustainable than pushing yourself beyond your limits all the time.

I always shoot for the stars, which isn’t necessarily bad. However, I put undo expectations on myself and rarely allow any room for error. When I am in this state of mind, I rarely find pleasure in what I am doing. I miss out on congratulating myself for the accomplishments that I do achieve. This is evident in daily tasks including work. I judge too harshly and dwell on the imperfections. When I catch myself slipping, I learn better the things that I can control and am able to say “that was good enough” and “I did a great job on that task”. When I can admit these things, I am much happier and able to accomplish even more than when I am too harsh on myself.