BEST OF: Adam Grant’s advice for me on overcoming burnout – and how he made it through his own burnout experience
Jan 22, 2025
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Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist and bestselling author, shares his candid experiences with burnout, revealing the symptoms he faced and the transformative turning point that helped him recover. He emphasizes the importance of early sharing of work, overcoming procrastination, and building a support system. Grant dives into strategies for balancing work and downtime, advocating for structured breaks and the necessity of vacations. His insights offer a valuable roadmap for anyone navigating the challenging landscape of burnout.
Adam Grant emphasizes the critical importance of prioritizing tasks to streamline efforts and manage workload effectively, helping prevent burnout.
Sharing work early and often fosters collaboration and constructive feedback, providing valuable insights that can alleviate some pressures contributing to burnout.
Deep dives
Understanding Burnout from Personal Experience
Burnout can affect anyone, regardless of expertise, as highlighted by an organizational psychologist who has studied the phenomenon. Despite understanding its predictors and symptoms, he experienced emotional exhaustion and self-doubt while working on a book, which led him to procrastinate and avoid activities he once enjoyed. This personal struggle reveals that even those knowledgeable about burnout can fall victim to it due to overwhelming pressures and unrealistic self-expectations. Recognizing that burnout is not just an individual problem, but one influenced by external circumstances, can help in understanding the breadth of its impact.
The Importance of Sharing Progress Early
One key takeaway from the conversation is the value of sharing early drafts with others to gain constructive feedback. The guest wished he had been more open about his work sooner, as it would have provided him with valuable insights and encouragement during challenging times. Sharing work allows for a fresh perspective and can lead to improvements that one might overlook when too close to a project. By fostering a collaborative environment and encouraging feedback, individuals may alleviate some of the pressures that contribute to burnout.
Setting Priorities to Manage Workload
The discussion emphasizes the necessity of prioritizing tasks and managing workload effectively to prevent overwhelm. Leaders are encouraged to identify their most important projects for the week, which helps to streamline efforts and avoid the confusion that can lead to burnout. By focusing on a singular priority, it becomes easier to allocate resources and energy effectively. Balancing urgent and important tasks is essential, as neglecting prioritization can result in feelings of being overly stretched and ineffective.
Adopting Healthy Breaks to Recharge
Incorporating regular breaks and holidays into one's schedule is crucial for maintaining energy and creativity. The speaker stresses the importance of treating weekends as mini-vacations to recharge, rather than catching up on work. Engaging in joyful activities outside of work helps to rejuvenate both mental and emotional health. By establishing boundaries around work time and emphasizing personal well-being, individuals can cultivate a more sustainable approach to productivity that minimizes the risk of burnout.
**BEST OF** World-renowned organisational psychologist Adam Grant opens up about his personal battle with burnout – and gives me advice on my recent experience with burning out. Listen in as Adam shares:
📚 The intense journey of writing his first book and the unexpected obstacles he faced
🔥 His personal experience with burnout symptoms and how they manifested
💡 The turning point that helped him push through his lowest moments
🛠️ Practical advice on overcoming self-doubt and procrastination
🤝 The critical importance of sharing your work early and often
This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to understand and combat burnout. Adam’s story shows that even experts can struggle, and his lessons learned provide a roadmap for turning setbacks into comebacks. Connect with Adam via his website, LinkedIn, and Instagram.
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