Getting Tired in Public Media
“Burned out.”
You know the phrase. You’ve heard it before. Maybe (likely) you’ve said it before, too.
There’s a lot of talk about employees in public media feeling “burned out.” (Side note: Tammy Terwelp is doing some really interesting things in the new year to help with employees and burn out!)
Of course, this is not exclusive to public media! (You know that.)
Anyone who has been working in any job for any length of time has likely experienced the feeling of being “burned out.” And those jobs that are physically taxing and/or emotionally demanding – well, “burned out” is even more prevalent.
So, what do you do about it?
Now, we’re not career coaches. We’re not career counselors. We can only speak from our own experiences, of course. But here’s what we’ve learned about feeling “burned out” in public media.
1. It’s normal.
Hey, anytime you spend an extended period of time working the same job – or working in the same industry – you’re likely going to experience some moments of boredom, exasperation, a kind of “stuckness.”
When you’ve reached a level of skill and proficiency in your current role, you’ll likely have moments (or months!) when you feel like you’re not growing and you’re not developing. That’s normal – and, you know what, it means you’re doing a great job. After all, you’ve succeeded in the role you have! Congrats.
If you stay in this “stuckness” for a length of time that doesn’t feel great to you, that’s when you know it’s time to try to find a new challenge. And that length of time is different for all of us. Some people will stay “stuck” for years. Some will feel stuck for a month. You’ll find a new challenge – or a new challenge will find you – when you’re ready to find a new challenge. And you can test the waters by taking on additional projects or additional responsibilities when or if they’re offered to you.
2. Get out of your zone.
Easier said than done, sometimes. But if you’re really feeling stuck and if you’re really burned out and if you’re really ready for something new, it’s time to break out of your zone of familiarity and start to try some new things.
This does not have to be “big.” As two people who’ve made pretty big career shifts in the past couple of years, we both know that feeling – “I want to make a change and so I have to change every single thing that I do and know right now all at once all at the same time ready go!!!!!!!”
No. You don’t.
Maybe it’s as simple as asking someone you don’t know very well why they do what they do. Maybe it’s reading an article from a publication you don’t normally pay attention to. Maybe it’s listening to a career shift podcast or subscribing to a blog that shares stories of shifters (we like this one.)
Pay attention to things and people you maybe haven’t paid attention to in the past. Get curious. Ask questions. A little of this goes a long way to help get you out of your zone.
3. Take a break.
PLEASE take a break. Not only will it help YOU refresh your mindset and give you a chance to experience new things, it’ll give your colleagues the chance they might be waiting for to take on new roles and responsibilities, too. And that might open up some new doors for you. Make some waves – take a break.
Here’s the thing. PTO isn’t a privilege, necessarily. In a lot of jobs, it’s a right and a benefit of your role. So, why let it build up? Why let it go to waste?
Maybe it’s a Gen X thing or a Boomer thing or Millennial thing or a whatever thing…but the world isn’t going to come to a crashing stop if you leave your role for a week or three. Take the break you’ve worked for. And if you get push-back about taking a break that you’ve earned, well, that’s an issue you need to take to someone above the person pushing back – even if that person is your direct supervisor.
And if you are your own boss – please remember that taking a break is not only helpful, it’s necessary. Recently, we read this from “solopreneur” Justin Welsh: “Taking regular breaks can help recharge and refocus your mind. This is proven to improvise your overall performance and productivity. I don’t know a single great thinker who is on 24/7/365. Remember – bursts, not burnout.”
As we wrap up one year and get ready to dive into the next, what will YOU do to prevent feeling tired and burned out? Any great tips or tricks you have – please share! Let’s work together to start 2023 feeling excited, engaged, and ready to do some great things.
