Understanding, Preventing, and Reducing Burnout

at one of my last talks in Manila, already very thin

When I turned 54, my sister passed on, alone and lonely, from cancer. I did not want to die like her, so I felt I had to change the trajectory of my life. Besides, burnout was starting to rear its ugly head.

After I got off the career bandwagon and retired early, I migrated to America. My eldest and two beloved grandchildren had already moved there to join her husband and their father.

It is helpful to revisit what happened to me. Understanding the factors that led to my situation allows me to uncover strategies that could have prevented burnout. Sharing them may help you prevent one.

Understanding Burnout

I had dwindled to a skinny 101 pounds when I entered the US. Burnout is a serious issue that can lead to physical and mental health problems. 

It often occurs when an individual feels more than overwhelmed. It can be a combination of exhaustion and disillusionment. 

In hindsight, I should not have taken the one-two punch of SAP and BayanTrade. My work at the BIR was meaningful and manageable. However, my savings had been depleted as pay in government was tiny.

The money, perks, and accolades offered by SAP proved hard to resist. But I walked straight into a burnout waiting to happen. 

Preventing Burnout

I should have done the following:

1.   Listen to My Heart

At the time, my eldest was already working, my second daughter had graduated and was job hunting, and my youngest was about to graduate from college.

If I had been smart, the time to simplify my life would have arrived. There was nothing more I had to prove. The cues were there. I did not have to return to the private sector.

Instead, I should have returned to teach in DAP's Master in Public Management Program and the Master in Business Administration Program of the University of the Philippines College of Business Administration.

The government and the academe are gentler work environments. In the process, I could have completed my Doctorate in Business Administration. And I thrive in a scholarly undertaking.

2.   Listen to My Body

To make matters worse, in the middle of my stay in SAP, I went into menopause. I would have benefitted from a mentor who reminded me of self-care, prioritized my health, and learned to say no.

Again, I did not take this cue. Foolishly, I made the same terrible mistake and accepted the BayanTrade offer.

Reducing Burnout

If I had been more forward-looking, I would have implemented burnout prevention or mitigation strategies as soon as I joined SAP. 

1.   Promote Work-Life Balance in the Office

I should have introduced flexible work arrangements and addressed workload concerns. The company could have also provided resources for fitness, relaxation, and counseling programs.

These are components of a more sustainable work environment. I would have been the first beneficiary, and other employees could have benefited.

2.   Reduce Personal Commitments

Promoting work-life balance is not the sole responsibility of the company. I was also responsible for focusing on the job and family. These two are complex enough.

I should have minimized extra-curricular activities in professional associations. I could also have postponed my doctoral studies.

3.   Ask for Support

I wrongly thought CEOs were supposed to be superhumans able to withstand all kinds of challenges. At lower levels, higher executives support anyone in navigating the challenges. The same is true for CEOs.

But I was too embarrassed to ask. Worse, I thought I would be punished. Distance prevented me from building closeness with the SAP regional team in Singapore. And, unlike MegaLink, I had yet to develop open and honest communication with the BayanTrade board.

Burnout is a real issue. It is essential to take care of oneself first and foremost. If you are overwhelmed, exhausted, and disillusioned, take a break. It can allow you to reflect, recharge, and regain your footing.

Acknowledge what your heart says, listen to your body, promote work-life balance, reduce your outside commitments, and ask for support. By addressing the underlying causes of burnout and prioritizing your well-being, you can stay in your role and enjoy it longer.