Key Ideas

• Different people manifest burnout in different ways, but I think for all of us, it’s some variety of a shutdown - a feeling of exhaustion, unable to think through the situations.
• Lack of inclusive environments. It’s about your personality and work style and how you operate professionally. Everyone is different in these ways, but startups in particular — tend to demand a specific style.
• Being able to present and provide a workplace that tales employee sanity and psychological safety into account is a considerable advantage.
• When you think you can’t possibly take a break, just repeat to yourself, ‘No, I actually can.’” Write down all the must-haves that would need to be taken care of before you could take a week off. Write down the impact the task would have on the company, and who else could possibly do it in your absence.
• Do fewer things, but do them extremely well.
  • Prioritization Matrix (Impact vs Likelihood of success)
    • Quadrant 1(High Impact, Low success): Tough important stuff, requiring creative strategic thinking (where you as a leader should spend your time).
    • Quadrant 2(High Impact, High success): High yield, more straightforward projects. Outsource this stuff to your highest performers as stretch goals that will be super empowering when they work out.
    • Quadrant 3: Low value, low likelihood of success. Don't do it.
    • Quadrant 4: Low value, high likelihood of success. Delegate or do it at the end of the day.
  • Communication Matrix
    • Column 1: Things I should and can be doing. This stuff is important and within your reach.
    • Column 2: Things I said I’d do but am not doing. These are the items that have been languishing on your to-do list forever. This is often the root of a lot of stress.
    • Column 3: Things I should not be doing.

3 Ways to Go from Burnout State to Flow State | Forge