Many working professionals are familiar with the hustle and grind, especially during their industry’s busy season. Whether it’s tax time for accountants or event season for public speakers, those high-demand periods can quickly take a toll on your energy, leaving you vulnerable to burnout. But what if you could manage the stress and still deliver your best work without feeling depleted? In this post, we’ll explore how to manage burnout when the workload seems never-ending and, most importantly, how to stay in control of your well-being when everything else feels out of control.

What is burnout?

As defined by the World Health Organization (here), burnout results from chronic unmanaged workplace stress that manifests in energy depletion or exhaustion, mental disengagement from one’s job, and reduced effectiveness. 

Burnout typically creeps in over prolonged periods of being overextended but can also come as a tidal wave during or immediately following a busy professional season.

These busy seasons create a rock-and-a-hard-place scenario for many people. On the one hand, “busy seasons” are usually industry-driven and out of our control. A great example of this is tax time for accounting professionals or conference season for speakers. How we feel about our work greatly dictates how we survive through busy seasons, and for many people, it’s a time of year when our core or most meaningful work is being done. So, it’s not inherently a “bad” season, but it can be trying.

Because during this busy season, all of our capacities are being stretched. We often must surrender control of our calendars and workloads. Our energy is being depleted, and we aren’t afforded ample time to recharge before the next time it’s needed. 

Much of the advice around burnout is geared toward tackling the root causes, such as not taking on too much work or moving deadlines. Still, for many of us, especially during these industry-driven seasons, the causes of this specific type of busyness are mostly or entirely out of our control. So, while this advice is well-intentioned, it actually does very little for us.

Then what’s to be done? 

To beat burnout during a busy season, we must do two things. 

• First, truly accept that this is the nature of the industry you work in. These seasons are often cyclical, so make note of their pattern to better plan for them. 
• Next, focus on what is in your control and make adjustments. And this is what we’re here to discuss.

Beat burnout during a busy season by properly managing what is in your control.

1. Preplan and schedule self-care activities. “Self-care” is such a buzzy word, but ultimately, the goal is to plan for rest and recharge time away from activities that require the same energy as your work. The key here is to plan it and schedule it. Book appointments or simply add blocks of time to your schedule to ensure these activities are built-in. And if you have a habit of renegotiating (ahem – ignoring) these blocks of time, engage an accountability partner to hold you to them. 
2. Clear your schedule and task list of non-critical work. Press pause on business development or special projects so you can give your best attention and productive energy toward your core work. Reduce the number of meetings you have during this time and set boundaries for what is allowed to intrude on your schedule. Communicating the changes in your priorities and availability to your colleagues and family is vital. For instance, “I’m entering my busy season. I’m pausing this project during this time and won’t be able to take on anything related to x, y, or z.” 
3. Bring in the troops. Delegate or ask for help with your everyday tasks. Managing burnout isn’t solely about professional tasks. We use productive energy at home as well. What can you do less of or not do at all during this time? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
   1. Set up a meal service so you don’t have to cook, and it saves you from eating fast food or takeout.
   2. Hire out housework – e.g., housekeeper, landscaper, pool cleaner, laundry service.
   3. For shuttling kids around, set up a carpool or opt out of it!
   4. Schedule a dog walker, pet sitter, or babysitter for days that may have you overextended or absent.
   5. Redistribute chores amongst your family. 

Burnout during your busiest season doesn’t have to be inevitable. By recognizing what’s within your control, planning ahead for self-care, and lightening your load with thoughtful delegation, you can make it through these hectic times without sacrificing your health or happiness. Remember, this isn’t about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most with your best energy. So, the next time your busy season comes around, use these strategies to maintain your momentum and keep burnout at bay.

Looking to boost your self-management techniques? Success Insight Sessions will teach you to hack yourself to work with ease. Learn more here.