How to Avoid Burnout at Your New Job
Congrats you finally did it! You got the job of your dreams and you’re starting ASAP! Or perhaps you just started, and you’re quickly realizing your new job is more stressful than you expected because of all the new things you have to learn on top of doing your actual job.
Welcome to the transition period!
During the early stage of your career, you might be eager to impress your boss by being a model employee and going the extra mile, and that is absolutely awesome to be motivated, but please consider that starting out too strong could lead to burnout!
If that sounds like you, here are some ways you can avoid burnout at your new job.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions and take notes
You’re a new employee, and of course, your boss and colleagues will expect the transition period. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and take plenty of notes! This shows your new workplace how dedicated you are to excelling at your job, while helping yourself out.
Bonus: all the questions you ask and the notes you take will only help you in the long run! You can refer back to your notes if you ever feel overwhelmed and need a refresher on what to do – without having to ask your others to re-explain something.
Stay organized
That brings us to our next point – stay organized with all of the new processes, systems, and information you’re learning!
It really pays off, whether you have a notebook or a document on your work computer where you can list everything in one place. It’s also good practice to stay organized from the start, so that you’ll always have something you can refer to in the future.
This also helps your workflow as you become more acquainted with your position. When things get busy, being organized will alleviate added stress!
Be patient with yourself
It’s important to be patient with yourself during the transition period. Despite external or internal expectations (hello, imposter syndrome!), resist the urge to succumb to the pressure of being perfect.
Cut yourself some slack – especially if you haven’t even reached the 3-month mark!
Allow yourself the grace and time it takes to adjust to a new company and become good at your job. You shouldn’t put that much pressure on yourself right off the bat – that’s a surefire way to burnout!
Also, you’ll be surprised at how much smoother things will go when you’re patient with yourself. You’ll encounter less resistance in your daily flow, and making mistakes won’t hold you back or slow you down if you accept that LEARNING is part of the process.
Prioritize balance over perfection
You are your hardest critic – even your new employers won’t always expect you to stay overtime or do extra work. Remember – done is better than perfect!
If it’s 5 p.m. and it’s time to wrap up, end your day without guilt! Unless it’s a life or death situation, just let it go. You don’t need that extra pressure on yourself.
Prioritizing a healthy work-life balance is not only better for your mental health, but also establishes boundaries for yourself and with your employer that will benefit you in the long run.
Lean on your support system
No one expects you to go through this stressful period alone. Your inner circle is there to support you! Lean on your support system whether that’s your family members, your best friend, your significant other, or even your mentor.
Whenever you feel overwhelmed, don’t just keep it to yourself – release your stress in a healthy way! Indulging in fun distractions, venting, or getting a fresh perspective from your support system will help you better manage the stress that comes with a new job.
If you’re a very independent person, you can rely on your own self-care systems. Maybe regular exercise, eating healthy, or working on your hobbies is more your jam. Doing things you love outside of work can really support your well-being.
Hopefully, reading this has given you some peace of mind as you begin your new position. Remember you’re not alone, and there are many ways you can avoid burnout, from creating organizational systems, to setting boundaries at work, and leaning on your support system.
Stay tuned for more posts to help your professional life flourish!
