Avoiding Burnout While Climbing the Career Ladder

As a manager or aspiring leader, you’ve likely felt the tug-of-war between work and personal life. It’s a challenge that doesn’t come with a one-size-fits-all solution, but it’s one that demands intentionality and self-awareness. Let me share a bit of my journey and some strategies that have helped me navigate this delicate balance. The Trap of Autopilot There was a time when my work calendar dictated my life. I’d say “yes” to every request, every meeting, and every task without pausing to ask: “Is this the most important thing right now? Can I delegate this? Do I even need to do this at all?” This autopilot mode led to burnout. I realized that balancing work and life isn’t about splitting time equally; it’s about prioritizing what matters most in each season of life. The Power of Alignment One of the most transformative tools I’ve adopted is color-coding my calendar. It’s a simple yet powerful way to visualize how I’m spending my time. Here’s how it works: At a glance, I can see if I’m in alignment with my priorities. Defining Success Success looks different for everyone, but for me, it’s about ease and impact. - In my career: Success isn’t just about climbing the ladder; it’s about creating flow and space. It’s about helping my team have “ah-ha” moments and seeing things from new perspectives. - In my personal life: Success is about creativity, self-care, and meaningful relationships. It’s about traveling and spending time with loved ones without worrying about missing something at work. Morning Rituals for Grounding I’ve learned that how I start my day sets the tone for everything that follows. My morning routine includes: - Journaling: To clear my mind and set intentions. - Meditation: To center myself and cultivate calm. - Movement: Whether it’s yoga, a walk, or a quick workout, moving my body energizes me. These practices help me stay grounded and focused, even on the busiest days. The Art of Brain Dumping I’ll admit, I haven’t found the perfect system for staying organized. It’s a mix of paper, online tools, and memory. But one practice that has been a game-changer is **brain dumping. Every few days, I take 10 minutes to jot down everything on my mind—tasks, ideas, worries, you name it. It’s a way to declutter my thoughts and ensure I’m not forgetting anything important. A Call to Action If you’re feeling overwhelmed or out of alignment, I encourage you to take a step back and ask yourself: - What does success look like for me right now? - Am I prioritizing what truly matters? - What’s one small change I can make today to create more balance? Remember, work-life balance isn’t a destination; it’s a journey. It’s about making intentional choices and being kind to yourself along the way. What’s one strategy you use to balance work and life? Share your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear from you!

This is my third post (a series of 3), around CSM burnout. This post is geared towards those CSMs who are burning out, feel lost, or overwhelmed. I'm writing this as a CSM who has suffered from burnout in the past, and who was able to come out of it. So here's my advice to you, things that I have implemented on my day-to-day to ensure I remain sane. 1. Focus on what you can control: It is easy to become overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks and challenges in CS. Focus on what you can influence and improve. 2. Learn to prioritize your portfolio, do what you can: Not all customers require the same level of attention at all times. Prioritize your portfolio based on factors such as potential impact, urgency, and strategic importance. 3. Share feedback with your leaders, and not just complain... offer solutions: If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with certain aspects of your job, don't hesitate to communicate with your leaders. However, it's important to not just complain but also offer constructive solutions or suggestions for improvement. 4. Find a support group of people where you can vent Seek out a support group of peers, whether it's on platforms like Reddit or through connections on LinkedIn. Having a space to share experiences, seek advice, and offer support can help alleviate feelings of isolation and stress. 5. Exercise, practice yoga, meditate: Physical activity and mindfulness practices are powerful tools for managing stress and preventing burnout. Incorporate regular exercise, yoga, or meditation into your routine to help alleviate tension. 6. Find a mentor or a coach who can guide you: Having someone experienced to provide guidance and support can be invaluable in navigating challenges and avoiding burnout. 7. Set boundaries and learn to say no: It's important to recognize your limitations and set boundaries to protect your well-being. Learn to say no to requests or commitments that exceed your capacity or aren't aligned with your priorities. 8. Take regular breaks and disconnect: Breaks are essential for recharging your batteries and maintaining productivity. Schedule regular breaks throughout your day to rest, recharge, and step away from your work. 9. Celebrate successes and practice self-care: It's important to celebrate your achievements and prioritize self-care. Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small, and treat yourself with kindness and compassion. 10. Continuously learn and adapt (having a growth mindset): The field of customer success is constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay adaptable and open to learning. Invest in your professional development by seeking out growth opportunities. This is what I've done... and what I keep doing to ensure I'm my best self to keep helping customers succeed.

🚒 I’m learning that burnout causes blackout. Extreme work hours and pressure deplete your ability to make thoughtful choices. Everything just looks bleak. If you're overworked and out of balance - feeling lost, unmotivated, disengaged and purposeless - NO job will feel like the right one. The joy of achievement and the thrill of a challenge are overshadowed by the relentless grind. Personally, when I feel this way, I can’t see the positives in my current situation or pick-up the scent of a better one. I know I need to address the burnout before making any big decisions. So, please remember: - Ask yourself: Are your current work habits sustainable? Are they allowing you to thrive, or merely survive? - Burnout feels like dread of the coming day; like it’s hard to muster the energy to re-engage. - Admitting burnout is an act of courage and self-awareness. It’s a call to reevaluate and recalibrate.  - Burnout fries your compass - making it hard to chart a new course Take action to restore balance: - Set firmer boundaries (the world will keep spinning just fine) - Delegate where possible - Re-prioritize your activities and pause what you can - Avoid “fake breaks” that just shift attention to other stressful tasks - Get outside and move your body (if you’re able) - Consider seeking support from a coach or mentor to help you navigate through the fog of burnout. 💪🏻 Tackling burnout isn’t just about getting through the day; it’s a necessary step to find joy and purpose in your work again. Your well-being isn't just a personal priority; it's a professional necessity! ⚖ #coaching #burnout #selfcare #findingpurpose #balance 

I always put my career first above anything else. Even above my family. Over the first 15 years in my career, I moved my family seven times between jobs. Because I thought that was necessary to — - Get the next big title - Earn the big fat paycheck I remember spending over 500 nights in 3 years in hotels, leaving my family at home. - It made me feel alone - I always felt I was missing out - I kept pushing myself regardless Until it all started crashing down. And I was admitted to the hospital. Acute stress. Deteriorated health. BURNOUT. I knew I had to make drastic changes. And the first thing I did? I quit my job. In hindsight, it was the best decision I had made in years. But not because my work and team were not great. They were amazing. Because I wanted to understand job-related burnout, to not fall into that trap again. Here is how I navigate a fulfilling work-life balance without burning out — 1. I trust in my skills and abilities. No matter what is thrown my way, I will be completely fine in the future. 2. I prioritize myself first thing in the morning. Workouts, walking my dog or going to the sauna - my day begins with me. 3. I said goodbye to all the naysayers and complainers. Cut the energy-drainers from your life. 4. I follow the time-boxing technique for productivity. Everything is scheduled on my calendar, including self-time and family time. 5. I protect my creative time in the mornings at all costs. As much as possible, no meetings before lunch. 6. My time with my children is entirely dedicated to them. Phone in complete focus mode - ZERO exceptions 7. My wife and I do weekly date nights where we experiment with food, have a glass of wine and watch a movie. 8. I coach other people to overcome burnout and become highly productive executive leaders through my coaching program. That gives me great joy. 9. I created a system to understand the signs of burnout. This was the single most important thing to prevent burnout again. The first step to overcoming burnout is acknowledgment and taking action. How do you create a work-life balance in your life? Share in the comments below!

I never knew where the term “BURNOUT” came from until last night! Psychologist Herbert Freudenberger coined the term “Burnout” after seeing passionate healthcare workers lose their spark. I have personally experienced burnout and worked with many professionals suffering from burnout. 🔥 Here is what to lookout for and how to quickly reset! Burnout shows up as exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced sense of accomplishment. This is the opposite of flow, where you are fully immersed in your work with a high sense of control. If burnout isn’t caught early or taken seriously, it will destroy your productivity, which can result in losing your job or failing your business. I have witnessed high performers especially being prone to burnout. But there is a way to spot it early, recover, and even make yourself burnout proof! Burnout has six key triggers: 1️⃣ breakdown of community 2️⃣ insufficient reward 3️⃣ values conflict 4️⃣ lack of control 5️⃣ work overload 6️⃣ unfairness When you tackle these triggers, you can beat burnout. Six strategies that help me reset when I start experiencing burnout: 1. Choose Your Hard -> Align tasks with your strengths. 2. Don’t push yourself to exhaustion  -> Track energy levels and avoid putting yourself in a large recovery hole. 3. When You See a Hill, Sprint. -> Use bursts of focus to build momentum. 4. Regularly Assess the Burnout Triggers. -> Go through the list one by one. 5. Have a Burnout Tool Kit -> Try different active recovery practices and know what works for you. 6. Focus on the Basics -> Daily sunlight, exercise, quality sleep, and good nutrition have all shown to reduce and help recover from burnout. There will ALWAYS be more work, but by becoming more aware of your energy and potential triggers for burnout, you will sustain and optimize your mental health, productivity, performance, and overall career path. 📌 Comment below the word “BURNOUT” if you want me to send you a burnout inventory to monitor your risk. *I take it every month. Follow Alex Wisch for more lessons on #Burnout, #MentalHealth, and achieving #PeakPerformance.