6 answers
Faith
Student
West Covina, California
1
Question
Updated
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How do I prevent future burnout from a career I worked so hard for?#Spring25
I have goals of furthering my education in a career I am passionate about. However, I am worried about the possible burnout I could receive, fearing that a career I once loved, will end up being a waste of money. I would like to know what tips or practices you've set in place to prevent such thing, so that I can confidently walk into my career prepared to face all adversities I may or may not face.
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6 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1870
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Faith, stress is an issue that affects millions of people and is a key factor in wider mental health issues. One of the biggest stress-related issues that continues to impact the workplace is burnout. Burnout can force people to miss extended periods of work and impact their psychological and physiological well-being.
START WITH YOURSELF
In the whirlwind of balancing the personal and professional, always remember to nurture your first priority — you. While placing self-care in the front seat may seem counterintuitive, it’s worth remembering that no one runs on “empty.” You can’t operate at your full potential for yourself or others if you aren’t receiving the recharge you need. Sleep deprivation can be a major factor for depleted memory, learning ability, and a cause of depression among young adults. Similarly, the effects of sleep deprivation can be found in poor decision-making, low self-control, and reduced productivity, areas that are key performance indicators in the work environment leading to burnout.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
The human body is a intelligent thing. Learn to trust it and it can help you out of some tough situations. Symptoms of burnout could included; Difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable and feeling detached from friends and loved ones. If you notice these things creeping into your daily life it may be time to take a step back, if a day off is not an option, breaking up tasks throughout the day with breaks in between can be incredibly beneficial. Taking just ten minutes away from a task can help to reset your brain and clarity.
IDENTIFY YOUR STRESSORS PATTERN(S)
Determine what is contributing to depleting your battery. Identifying your stressors and thoughts impacting your mental health will better arm you with the knowledge you need to prevent and combat burnout. By changing the negative thought and behavioral patterns will allow you to build new ones because, at the end of the day, it comes back to the old saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” You'll be putting yourself on a better trajectory by building new, healthier patterns. As your battery recharges to higher levels, you should feel an increased sense of confidence, assertiveness, and decisiveness.
SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
Professional help can be extremely effective in many cases. Speaking with a counselor, psychologist or other mental health professional can help you alleviate the problem and learn strategies for reducing burnout before it becomes critical. Therapy may not always be the solution, but it’s an option worth considering.
START WITH YOURSELF
In the whirlwind of balancing the personal and professional, always remember to nurture your first priority — you. While placing self-care in the front seat may seem counterintuitive, it’s worth remembering that no one runs on “empty.” You can’t operate at your full potential for yourself or others if you aren’t receiving the recharge you need. Sleep deprivation can be a major factor for depleted memory, learning ability, and a cause of depression among young adults. Similarly, the effects of sleep deprivation can be found in poor decision-making, low self-control, and reduced productivity, areas that are key performance indicators in the work environment leading to burnout.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
The human body is a intelligent thing. Learn to trust it and it can help you out of some tough situations. Symptoms of burnout could included; Difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable and feeling detached from friends and loved ones. If you notice these things creeping into your daily life it may be time to take a step back, if a day off is not an option, breaking up tasks throughout the day with breaks in between can be incredibly beneficial. Taking just ten minutes away from a task can help to reset your brain and clarity.
IDENTIFY YOUR STRESSORS PATTERN(S)
Determine what is contributing to depleting your battery. Identifying your stressors and thoughts impacting your mental health will better arm you with the knowledge you need to prevent and combat burnout. By changing the negative thought and behavioral patterns will allow you to build new ones because, at the end of the day, it comes back to the old saying, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.” You'll be putting yourself on a better trajectory by building new, healthier patterns. As your battery recharges to higher levels, you should feel an increased sense of confidence, assertiveness, and decisiveness.
SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP
Professional help can be extremely effective in many cases. Speaking with a counselor, psychologist or other mental health professional can help you alleviate the problem and learn strategies for reducing burnout before it becomes critical. Therapy may not always be the solution, but it’s an option worth considering.
Shivam Dhar
Lead Security Engineer
13
Answers
McKinney, Texas
Updated
Shivam’s Answer
Hi Faith, any feeling of burnout does not mean your career is a waste.
It could be a sign that you need to pause and reconnect with what initially sparked your passion for this field. Sometimes, burnout is less about the work itself and more about the current environment or routine - whether it's your office culture, daily habits, or even the kind of projects you’re involved in.
Try adding more fun, restorative activities to your routine to keep yourself energized. Maybe a project switch could help. Or maybe it’s time to explore a new role, or just take a short break to reset?
And remember - even if you decide to change paths one day, your experiences and personal growth are never wasted. Every step you have taken adds value to who you are and what you bring to whatever comes next.
It could be a sign that you need to pause and reconnect with what initially sparked your passion for this field. Sometimes, burnout is less about the work itself and more about the current environment or routine - whether it's your office culture, daily habits, or even the kind of projects you’re involved in.
Try adding more fun, restorative activities to your routine to keep yourself energized. Maybe a project switch could help. Or maybe it’s time to explore a new role, or just take a short break to reset?
And remember - even if you decide to change paths one day, your experiences and personal growth are never wasted. Every step you have taken adds value to who you are and what you bring to whatever comes next.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Faith
CHUNTING DONG
36
Answers
Updated
CHUNTING’s Answer
Tips for Work-Life Balance: Make sure to set clear boundaries between your job and personal time. Plan specific times for work, study, rest, and fun activities. For instance, decide not to look at work emails or study materials after a certain hour in the evening. Hope this helps. Thanks!
Thank you so much!
Faith
Suman Kumar Mandal
Talent Acquisition
2
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Suman Kumar’s Answer
Hi Faith,
I’ve had similar worries myself, especially when I first started down my path. Passion can be such a double edged sword, it drives us but it can also make us feel guilty for needing breaks or second-guessing our choices. One thing that helped me a lot is regularly checking in with myself mentally, emotionally and even physically. I make time for things that bring me joy outside of my field. It sounds simple but that balance keeps me grounded!!
I always celebrate the small wins. This mindset shift helps me stay motivated and prevents burnout from creeping in unnoticed. Also don’t be afraid to ask for support whether it’s through mentors or friends. Having a solid support system makes the hard days easier to carry.
Lastly, loving something doesn’t mean it won’t challenge you, and being challenged doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. You’re already ahead of the game just by thinking this deeply about your future. Keep that self awareness close and it’ll be one of your strongest tools!!
I’ve had similar worries myself, especially when I first started down my path. Passion can be such a double edged sword, it drives us but it can also make us feel guilty for needing breaks or second-guessing our choices. One thing that helped me a lot is regularly checking in with myself mentally, emotionally and even physically. I make time for things that bring me joy outside of my field. It sounds simple but that balance keeps me grounded!!
I always celebrate the small wins. This mindset shift helps me stay motivated and prevents burnout from creeping in unnoticed. Also don’t be afraid to ask for support whether it’s through mentors or friends. Having a solid support system makes the hard days easier to carry.
Lastly, loving something doesn’t mean it won’t challenge you, and being challenged doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. You’re already ahead of the game just by thinking this deeply about your future. Keep that self awareness close and it’ll be one of your strongest tools!!
Thank you, this is really helpful.
Faith
Misha D'Andrea
Learning + Development
44
Answers
New York, NY
Updated
Misha’s Answer
Recognizing the signs early - if you are feeling constant fatigue, emotional detachment from work etc. - you should start acting on it by setting the boundaries and creating a better work life balance.
Building community and using organizational resources like ERGs (employee resource groups) is great to have a cordial work environment.
Find a organization that aligns with your values, working with a purpose.
Have open, honest communication with your manager for support.
On behalf of Cloudera New Hires: Gary, Fernando, Jonah, and Brittney
Building community and using organizational resources like ERGs
Build routines for a better work-life
Open communication with your manager
Building community and using organizational resources like ERGs (employee resource groups) is great to have a cordial work environment.
Find a organization that aligns with your values, working with a purpose.
Have open, honest communication with your manager for support.
On behalf of Cloudera New Hires: Gary, Fernando, Jonah, and Brittney
Misha recommends the following next steps:
Xin Xie
20
Answers
Updated
Xin’s Answer
Hi Faith,
Hope you're having a great day!
You've worked so hard in your career, and it's important to keep that passion alive without burning out. Here are some steps to help you do just that:
Set Boundaries
- **Work-life balance:** Clearly separate work from your personal life. Try not to bring work tasks home and make sure to have time for relaxation and activities you love.
- **Limit working hours:** Stick to a reasonable schedule and avoid too much overtime. Talk to your employer if you need to adjust your workload to keep it manageable.
Practice Self-Care
- **Physical health:** Make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. These habits boost your energy and help you handle stress better.
- **Mental health:** Find activities that help you relax, like meditation, yoga, or hobbies. If stress feels overwhelming, consider talking to a therapist.
Manage Stress
- **Time management:** Try techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused bursts with breaks. Prioritize tasks so you don't feel swamped.
- **Relaxation techniques:** Take short breaks during your workday to relax. Simple things like deep breathing or a quick walk can make a big difference.
Seek Support
- **Colleagues and friends:** Share your thoughts with colleagues who understand. They can offer advice or just listen when you need to talk.
- **Family:** Lean on your family for emotional support. They can help you keep things in perspective and remind you to take care of yourself.
Develop a Growth Mindset
- **Continuous learning:** Keep learning new skills to stay excited and motivated in your career. This can also lead to new opportunities and keep things interesting.
- **View challenges as opportunities:** Instead of seeing difficulties as stress, see them as chances to grow. This new perspective can make your work feel more rewarding.
Hope you're having a great day!
You've worked so hard in your career, and it's important to keep that passion alive without burning out. Here are some steps to help you do just that:
Set Boundaries
- **Work-life balance:** Clearly separate work from your personal life. Try not to bring work tasks home and make sure to have time for relaxation and activities you love.
- **Limit working hours:** Stick to a reasonable schedule and avoid too much overtime. Talk to your employer if you need to adjust your workload to keep it manageable.
Practice Self-Care
- **Physical health:** Make sure to get plenty of sleep, eat well, and exercise regularly. These habits boost your energy and help you handle stress better.
- **Mental health:** Find activities that help you relax, like meditation, yoga, or hobbies. If stress feels overwhelming, consider talking to a therapist.
Manage Stress
- **Time management:** Try techniques like the Pomodoro Technique to work in focused bursts with breaks. Prioritize tasks so you don't feel swamped.
- **Relaxation techniques:** Take short breaks during your workday to relax. Simple things like deep breathing or a quick walk can make a big difference.
Seek Support
- **Colleagues and friends:** Share your thoughts with colleagues who understand. They can offer advice or just listen when you need to talk.
- **Family:** Lean on your family for emotional support. They can help you keep things in perspective and remind you to take care of yourself.
Develop a Growth Mindset
- **Continuous learning:** Keep learning new skills to stay excited and motivated in your career. This can also lead to new opportunities and keep things interesting.
- **View challenges as opportunities:** Instead of seeing difficulties as stress, see them as chances to grow. This new perspective can make your work feel more rewarding.
Your advice was so helpful!
Faith