Burnout Protocol

Avoiding burnout is for chumps.

You can’t avoid the unavoidable.

It’s an unrealistic view of human nature.

Knowing that you can’t stop burnout, you’re better off working with it rather than working against it.

That’s why I advocate creating a burnout protocol.

Having such a protocol means I don’t feel bad when I burn out. In fact, I enjoy it!

👉 Here’s my protocol:

1. Know the signs of burnout and don’t stop it. My most obvious signs are that I’m tired no matter how much I sleep and a strong desire to not count my macros. These are almost always the first signs. The moment I observe these in myself I plan for a burnout.

2. Planning your burnout. Once you know you are likely to feel the burn very soon, schedule your burn out days in advance, usually 3 days from the point you feel it.

Sometimes though the burnout comes on so strong, you decide to quit immediately. That’s OK, if and ONLY if you have nothing to deliver immediately. YOU MUST GET YOUR WORK DONE.

Sorry, I don’t respect people who don’t follow through on their obligations by telling me they need to put their gas mask on first. Bite the bullet, get your work done, and burnout immediately afterward. I promise to do the same when working with you.

3. Know what your burnout will look like. Have a protocol in place that says things like, “I’m turning my phone off...I’m skipping the gym during this period” etc. But also have a list of things you will know you want: a pint of ice cream, extra sleep, a Pixar movie, etc.

4. Know what burnout boredom looks like. Your boredom might lead you to do more work, but remember to enjoy the boredom.

5. Create your ramp-up steps. I rarely jump right in after being burned out. Instead, I slowly ramp up my work over a 3 day period.

~

Burnout can bring up a lot of feelings including self-judgment. If you’re burning out to avoid work, then you will likely burn out even more. On the other hand, if you can treat burnout like a sprint - as a necessary work activity that must happen - you will see it as part of the broader story of running a business.