3 subtle signs you're in burnout

Published about 1 month ago • 1 min read

Hey Reader,

I was recently reading Lenny’s newsletter about how tech workers really feel about work right now, and one stat stopped me in my tracks:

Over half of respondents are experiencing significant burnout.

It’s a familiar story; for me personally, and for the leaders I’ve supported over the past four years.

Burnout doesn’t arrive loudly. Often it hums quietly in the background, until your body, mind, and spirit force you to pay attention.

For me, that moment came through a major injury that led to two surgeries and learning how to walk again.

We’re often told burnout is an individual failing. But the data and lived experience tell a different story. Burnout is both individual and systemic.

Here are 3 subtle signs of burnout that I see in my coaching practice with leaders:

Something feels off: You’re hitting your goals, getting great feedback, but inside you feel stuck on a treadmill. Each Sunday thees a quiet dread creeping in. You ask yourself, is this all there is?
Rest doesn’t restore: You take a weekend off, go on vacation… but you come back more exhausted than before. You brain is already thinking about everything you’re behind on
You’ve lost connection to yourself: You’re second guessing your choices. You hesitate to speak up. Your default becomes “what will they think”?

If any of these feel familiar, you’re not alone. And you’re not broken. Burnout means you need to come back to yourself.

One of my favorite tools for navigating burnout is the recovery menu. When stress hijacks your brain decisions become harder. A recovery menu helps you make care easier. Think of it like your own personal charcuterie board, a mix of options to meet your energy in the moment. Here’s a snapshot of mine:

What would you put on yours? I’d love to hear, just hit reply and share 💓

With immense gratitude,

Roberta

🆕What's new at Learn Mindfully?

If you’re looking for support this summer, I’ve got not one, but two upcoming events to help you reset and refocus:

6/6: 12PM EST Job Hunting Without Burning Out: Tools for Resilience & Renewal. Join me and Liz Donovan from Squiggle Strategy as we explore practical tools to manage the emotional rollercoaster of job hunting.
7/10: 12PM EST The Science Behind Burnout and Techniques to Combat It: I’ll break down the real causes of burnout and share evidence based tools for recovery for yourself and your team.