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How do I - or anyone for that matter - work a lot without burnout?

That’s a very valid question!

I have a full-time job as a professional tutor for an education company. Though the work I do for this job is inherently lighter than most full-time jobs - 20 hours a week during my lightest seasons and 30-35 hours during my busiest seasons - it is emotionally and mentally draining. If I’m working, I’m running 1-on-1 virtual tutoring sessions with students that range from 12 to college-aged students.

Not only that, but - #duh - I also have this business! I work about 20-30 hours a week on my business typically doing anything from 1-on-1 coaching sessions, client deliverables, speaking engagements (which sometimes includes flying across the country), creating Notion templates, supporting my members, creating content, and shit ton more that I’m just too impatient to write out right now.

I’m easily working 50-60 hours a week. In fact, I pulled some screenshots. This was my work hours for April 2023. If you do the math, that’s almost 50 hours a week. I did the same for March 2023. I was average 61 hours a week.

And yet, I’m a burnout coach! Should I be the poster child for 4-day work weeks and logging as little time as possible? Perhaps I should! And trust me when I say, that is definitely my goal in the future. But, when your business isn’t quite bringing in a full-time income, sometimes you don’t have that luxury.

So, how am I able to work so much without burning myself out? After a conversation with a client this morning about that exact thing, I decided to do a little brainstorming and self-reflection. This is what I came up with…

1. I move throughout the day: I make it a priority to move around during the day. That’s one of my non-negotiables and actually a habit I track in my habit tracker - daily movement. But, what I’ve realized is that this doesn't have to be anything too intense. I try to get in a 20-minute walk in the morning (which I try to do within the first hour of my day to help set my Circadian rhythm) just about every day. I use a walking pad at my desk - which is a very new purchase, but one that I already feel like is working wonders for my body. I also have recently found that I actually like working out at later times of the day. Yes, sometimes procrastination threatens when I wait, but it also gives me a needed energy boost in the afternoon/evening. By moving my body, I not only release stress but also improve my mood and increase my productivity.

2. I make taking time-off non-negotiable. Taking time-off is essential for your well-being and helps you recharge your batteries. #Duh, right? We know that. For me, I aim to take Saturdays off each week because my Sunday workdays can be very long. If I can't take Saturdays off, I try to take Fridays, substituting whatever day fits best into my schedule that week. But, during my absolute busiest times of year, sometimes I can’t take either off. In that situation, I focus on taking the equivalent of 24 hours off in a row. Maybe it’s taking Friday afternoon to Saturday afternoon off. Maybe it’s ending early on Thursday and not working until late Friday, but 24 hours gets taken off. This way, I make sure that I'm not overworking myself and that I have time to relax and do other things I enjoy. I also take shorter vacations as opposed to one long one, which I talk about more hear in Avoiding Summer Burnout.

3. I prioritize and relish having days with no plans. I know this about myself - I relish days without plans. That's the introvert in me. I don't fill my calendar intentionally on those days if I can help it. Having days without plans allows me to relax, unwind, and do things I enjoy, but, more than that, I know I need that in my life and in my schedule. I need to have unstructured time where I can just do whatever the eff I want during that time. It's not even a work-life thing at that point. For me, it’s just an overscheduled thing. And having days with no plans is one of the ultimate ways in which I recharge.

4. I prioritize fundamental self-care activities. This is a big one for me. I make sure to prioritize self-care activities like sleep, exercise, hydration, healthy eating (as best as possible because I definitely have emotional eating moments and a sweet tooth), and meditation. These activities help me stay focused, energized, and reduce stress. By taking care of my body and mind, I'm able to work more efficiently and effectively, and work more.

5. I keep my to-do list manageable. And when I say manageable I mean this: I have very little on my to-do list that is mandatory and urgent. I talk about this in my post about How I Manage My Time. I prioritize my tasks and focus on the most important ones, but if I have things that are leftover on my to-do list, I don’t sweat about it. It will get done, even if it doesn’t get done on the timeline I initially thought it would. This helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed and stressed, and I can work more efficiently.

6. I have various sources of fulfillment throughout my life. This is the point that inspired me to write this post. I was having a conversation with a client when I offhandedly made this comment. She asked me what I meant by that. So, I told her that I find fulfillment in reading, in my work with my students, in my business, in painting, in weightlifting, in hiking, etc. I have all sorts of places where I find fulfillment. It's important that I find different sources of fulfillment throughout my schedule, whether it's work, hobbies, or personal life. That way, if one activity is causing me a lot of stress and difficulty, another source of fulfillment can compensate. Fulfillment is one of my core values, and, to me, it means the following: “Regularly doing things that challenge grow me, and ensuring that everything I am pouring back into and growing myself.” That’s why this is such a fundamental thing for me when it comes to avoiding burnout. Ultimately, for anyone, though, knowing your values will help you define the sources of fulfillment in your life.

In conclusion, I no longer equate long working hours with burnout. You can be working less than someone else and be experiencing more burnout and stress. It’s about the ways our work and the ways we’re spending our time are pouring back into us, in my experience, and these are just some of the ways in which I focus on pouring back into myself.

So, that’s it!

What tip resonated with you the most?

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