Common career change mistakes made after burnout, and how to avoid them!
I see the same mistakes made over and over. Don't fall into these traps.
It appears that summer has finally reached the UK, and just in time for my birthday week too! September is my favourite month with its warm days and cool nights, autumn harvests, fresh starts and a welcome return to routines.
With the new term and return to work in mind, today I am writing all about making career decisions after burnout, and how to avoid the mistakes that most people inadvertently make. My career path after burnout has been a meandering route that has been more of an evolutionally process, rather than concrete and focused decision making- bar the decision to leave the job that burnt me out, which was a no-brainer and absolutely the right choice.
These mistakes are presented entirely without judgement, as I’ve made every single one of these mistakes myself, and the majority of these mistakes are made unintentionally and inadvertently. Burnout is a rough enough experience without beating yourself up about the mistakes you’ve made during your recovery, so if you identify with any of this, please ensure you are continue to treat yourself with the kindness and compassion you rightly deserve. Read on to hear my advice about how to successfully manage these common mistakes!
Not recognising your reduced energy levels and capacity for work after burnout, especially in the early stages
Respect your burnout. Ensure you have adequate rest and recovery time when you go back to work, and be very realistic about your temporarily reduced capacity. It WILL get better with time. Graded exposure and a gradual return with amended duties/reduced hours will help.
Repeatedly Googling, “alternative careers for X” (insert career of choice here!)
Use the internet and your network with intention, purpose and focus. Think about where you want to be first and only then do your research.
Asking others what you should do without a clear idea of what you should do next, and getting biased responses that only confuse and muddy the waters
Networking is key when making career changes, but to avoid biased advice when speaking to others, simply be curious. Ask how and why they’ve got the career they have, and the pros and the cons. Then you can assess if that might work for you.
Thinking anything else is better than what you already have and applying for posts that are not the right fit for you, or making the wrong decisions out of desperation
Write a career development plan and ensure you are engaging in values-based decision making ( I will write more about this shortly!).
Analysis paralysis- when there is so much choice that you get overwhelmed and cannot make a decision
Give yourself permission to browse options without committing- but when you do make a decision, treat it as though it is a non reversible choice, even if it technically isn’t. This avoids buyer’s remorse.
Going back to work without significant changes, and expecting things to be different
You must make realistic and sustainable changes at work to sustain your recovery. You also need to ensure you will be adequately supported to maintain these changes on your return. Talk to your boss, manager, occupational health department, or a career coach if you’re not sure what you need.
Making big decisions too soon after burnout, or in anger
Unless your job presents an immediate risk to your health and your only option is to leave, you must first have a break from work, restore your health, work on your values, and only then look at exploring career options and making a change. Don’t waste the previous little energy you have early in recovery on big decisions- focus on getting well first.
I hope that this is helpful! If you have any post-burnout career questions please let me know in the comments.
Thanks for sharing Martin!