Burnout isn’t just a personal issue; it has far-reaching implications for teams and organizations. A stressed and fatigued workforce leads to a decline in morale, creativity, and productivity. Fortunately, awareness around workplace burnout is growing, and companies are beginning to recognize its impact.

But what about individuals—especially ambitious, hardworking “go-getters” who tend to take on heavy workloads? How can they manage their energy and avoid crossing the line into burnout?

Energy Management: A New Perspective on Burnout

Think of yourself as a battery. Just like your phone, your energy doesn’t drain all at once—it’s a gradual process. And while work might be exciting or meaningful, it’s still draining your battery. The key is to manage your energy wisely and build in strategies to recharge.

Start by asking yourself:

• What tasks energize me?
• What tasks drain me?

For example, you might feel joy and satisfaction from creative problem-solving or working on a project that aligns with your values. Conversely, endless meetings or repetitive tasks might leave you feeling drained.

Step 1: Build Awareness

The first step in energy management is understanding what fuels and depletes you. Try keeping a log of your activities for a week and note how each task makes you feel. This practice can help identify patterns and bring clarity to what impacts your energy.

For instance:

• Does a quiet workspace help you focus, while noise distracts you?
• Do you feel more energized working on collaborative projects, or do you need alone time to recharge?

Even seemingly small factors—like traffic during your commute or constant notifications—can take a toll.

Step 2: Balance Drainers and Boosters

Once you’ve identified energy drainers and boosters, think about how you can adjust your day to optimize energy. For example:

• If meetings drain you, could some be replaced with emails or shorter check-ins?
• If creative work fuels you, could you schedule time for these activities during your peak energy hours?

Balancing the time spent on tasks that energize you versus those that exhaust you is key. If possible, look for ways to minimize drainers or add more boosters into your routine.

Step 3: Advocate for Change

Sometimes, the changes you need to make aren’t entirely within your control. For example, if noise in the office drains you, you could ask for noise-canceling headphones or permission to work from home one day a week.

These conversations might feel daunting, but they’re worth having. When you can clearly articulate the problem and propose a solution, it increases the likelihood of a positive outcome.

For example:

• “I’ve noticed that working in a noisy environment makes it harder for me to concentrate. Could I work remotely one day a week to improve focus?”

Step 4: Recharge Your Battery

Just as energy drains gradually, it can also be recharged over time. Consider these strategies:

• Breaks and Boundaries: Taking regular breaks during the day and setting boundaries around work hours can help prevent complete depletion.
• Self-Care: Activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies outside work can help restore your energy levels.
• Micro-Recharges: These could include short walks, deep-breathing exercises, or quick moments of mindfulness throughout the day.

A Mindset Shift

Ambitious individuals often feel they can keep pushing indefinitely, ignoring signs of depletion. But this mindset is unsustainable. Recognizing that even the most passionate work can drain your energy is an important realization.

Recharging isn’t just about self-care; it’s about sustainability. Just as you wouldn’t let your phone battery drop to zero every day, you shouldn’t let your energy deplete without building in moments to recharge.

Final Thoughts

Managing your workload to avoid burnout starts with managing your energy. By building awareness of what drains and recharges you, balancing tasks, advocating for changes, and prioritizing recharging strategies, you can create a more sustainable and fulfilling work-life balance.

After all, when your energy is managed well, not only do you benefit—but your team and organization do, too. A workplace filled with energized, motivated individuals is ultimately a happier and more productive one. From stress to success—discover actionable strategies to prevent burnout and build resilience with Sha-En Yeo’s transformative course.