In an earlier post (on professional burnout) I told about some of the lessons I am learning about why experienced and successful professionals get burned out. Today, I’m going to share with you some of the solutions.

Regaining the joy of your career:

Only do what no one else can do. (Many professionals can teach basic parenting skills but few can talk from their own experience what it is like to stay married for 35 years.)
Rank order your responsibilities. (Your family's needs before additional networking contacts.)
Consider a leave of absence . . . with a plan. (Sometimes a break will reinvigorate and help you redirect your energy in the right places.)
Avoid unnecessary exposure to traumatic material. (You get enough of that in your work as a professional . . . it should not be your hobby as well!)
Set your own goals and stubbornly maintain them. (After all, if you don't who will?)
Formalize and prioritize your self-care. ("All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" they used to say. It's true.)
Consider what it really means to you to be "at work."
Use an advisory team to find new ways of providing your services. (Too many professionals go it on their own. They don't value or utilize a professional coach or mentor. This can be a path to burnout.)
Do “a little . . . well” or “a lot . . . well enough.” (Don’t be perfect. Don’t be the best . . . right now. Unless you limit your focus to one thing. Some can do this and be very successful. Some can't and some shouldn't . . . know who you are and what works for you.)
Ease back into your career one step at a time. (If you are "toasty" and can't stand what you are doing . . . try to get a break. But once it is over don't just jump back in! Prioritize and transform what and how you are as a professional.)
Consider changing careers. (In the final analysis or some it is just time to make a permanent change. Better that than decades of dread, inefficiency, boardroom, and failure.)

All the best!

Bryan

P.S. One way I have avoided burnout is through contracting and consulting. If you haven't already downloaded our free eBook, Private Practice through Contracting, feel free to check it out.