I’m not sure exactly when my colleague suffered from marketing career burnout out as a middle-aged middle manager, but he told me how it happened. While his inner rock star was telling him it’s better to burn out than fade away, Bill was in need of a reality check. He was missing too many family dinners, working too many weekends, and quietly suffering from major anxiety over deadlines. By the time he was 40, Bill said he could barely look at bright-eyed interns without thinking they should run for the exits.
Today, he realizes that it never had to be that way. There are many easy-to-implement strategies for avoiding burnout while enjoying a fulfilling and successful marketing career. Here are few at the top of our list.
Rethink the way you accomplish your job.
We’ve all grown tired the adage “work smarter not harder” but it holds a lot of truth.
- Optimize your workday with better time management, scheduling time for specific tasks during which you will tune out distractions and focus on the task at hand.
- Set specific goals for yourself that are achievable and measurable.
- Delegate tasks for which you have support, and if you lack the support you need, ask for it. Asking for assistance is not a sign of weakness!
- Find a mentor who has been extremely efficient and successful in a similar position.
- Research and employ helpful apps and AI tools to speed up common tasks.
Set realistic expectations for yourself and others.
Humans are competitive by nature. It’s in our genes along with a bunch of other survival instincts that don’t always serve us well in this unnatural environment.
- Stick to manageable goals and deadlines. Underestimating how complex and time consuming a task can be is a direct path to stress and possibly sub-par performance.
- “Under-promise and over-deliver” is another chestnut backed by a lot of wisdom – apply it with care.
- Understand the differing capabilities of your direct reports and don’t set them up for a failure that will land in your lap.
Prioritize self-care.
You can’t choose just one of the following self-care steps and expect to feel better and perform better at your job. They are, for the most, part of a package deal.
- Fuel your mind and body with a healthier diet. Skip the donuts and pizza in the break room and avoid the see-saw effect of carbs and coffee. Think more fresh vegetables, fruit and protein and fewer processed foods and carbs (this simple change was a literal miracle for me).
- Stay fit with an exercise routine you can stick with and fit into your schedule. For me, running is the solution for gaining the most physical benefits in the shortest amount of time.
- Schedule time for activities you enjoy outside of the office and put it on your calendar so your colleagues know you are out of the office!
- Try to accept life’s unexpected blows and sudden turns as learning experiences. I don’t personally believe that everything happens for a reason BUT I have learned to accept that the really good stuff in life is seldom easily earned but is often easily lost.
Learn how to better cope with stress.
All of the self-care steps above work toward reducing the effects of stress. Here some ideas for addressing it in the moment:
- Try deep breathing or other quick meditative techniques that can lower your blood pressure and bring you down from a highly agitated state.
- Step away from your computer and take a brisk 5-minute walk.
- Collaborate with others to help solve problems or move deadlines.
Stress and marketing career burnout are a reality for any ambitious person in any career. It’s not so much about our chosen careers or employers but how we take care of ourselves and others that makes the most difference. Thriving and enjoying your career is easier when you take control of your stress levels, your work habits, and prioritizing your own well-being.
