Simple strategies to help keep burnout at bay

BURNOUT isn't a badge of honour. According to a recent Deloitte workplace burnout survey, 75% of workers have experienced burnout and 40% say they've left a job because of it.

- TIFFANY UMAN

The common misconception about burnout is that it's caused by working too hard. It's actually about working too much without meaning.

Emotional disconnect

The most dangerous kind of burnout isn't always caused by 14-hour days or back-to-back meetings. It often shows up in high-performing professionals who are hitting every target but feel increasingly disconnected, unfulfilled or lacking a sense of purpose.

You may be praised for delivering results, but inside you're asking questions like: Does this work still energise me? Why does everything feel heavier than it used to? Is the next goal really going to make me feel better?

This emotional disconnect between your effort and your sense of purpose is a silent trigger of burnout that's often overlooked. And it's a definitive sign that you need to realign your work with your values, energy and ambitions.

Here are three simple but effective strategies to help prevent burnout:

High-impact goals

You don't need to be "always-on" to be excellent it's about working smarter, not longer. You can set realistic, high-impact goals by putting a few simple steps into action.

First, break down big goals into bite-size wins. Instead of treating success like one giant leap, turn it into a series of smaller wins that fuel momentum and motivation. For example, if you have a three-month work project, break it down into weekly micro-milestones, checkpoint deliverables and quick wins you can share or celebrate along the way