Adam Grant's advice for me on overcoming burnout - and how he made it through his own burnout experience
Aug 7, 2024
auto_awesome
World-renowned organizational psychologist Adam Grant shares his personal battle with burnout, revealing emotional challenges and surprising obstacles faced while writing his first book. He discusses the pivotal moments that helped him overcome deep self-doubt and procrastination. Grant emphasizes the importance of seeking feedback and sharing work early to combat setbacks. He explores strategies like prioritizing self-care, scheduling breaks, and creating supportive environments to enhance productivity and well-being. Adam's insights offer a powerful roadmap to understanding and overcoming burnout.
Adam Grant emphasizes the importance of seeking early feedback while writing to combat procrastination and self-doubt, enhancing clarity and confidence.
He highlights that organizational factors contribute significantly to burnout, urging leaders to foster supportive environments and prioritize employee well-being.
Deep dives
Understanding Personal Burnout
Experiencing burnout can happen even to those who study and teach about it, as shared by a leading organizational psychologist. This individual reflected on their own moments of burnout, particularly while trying to write a book amidst overwhelming self-expectations and external pressures. They described a profound sense of emotional exhaustion and procrastination, revealing that despite their expertise, they struggled to apply the solutions they had researched. This acknowledgment frames burnout not as a personal failure but as a complex issue that can affect anyone, regardless of their professional background.
The Importance of Seeking Feedback
One critical insight shared emphasizes the value of early feedback in the writing process to stave off burnout-induced procrastination. The psychologist regretted not sharing drafts sooner, believing that receiving constructive criticism from peers could have alleviated self-doubt and enhanced his writing clarity. This approach not only helps identify problems early on but also boosts confidence by affirming that others find value in the work. They advised overcoming the fear of sharing work with trusted individuals to gain insights that lead to improvement.
Organizational Responsibility in Addressing Burnout
The discussion highlighted that burnout is often fueled by organizational factors that go beyond individual control. Acknowledging that excessive workload and lack of clear direction can overwhelm employees, there is an urgent need for organizations to cultivate supportive environments. Leaders are encouraged to model self-care behaviors by openly discussing mental health and taking necessary breaks, thereby normalizing these practices within their teams. By prioritizing employee well-being and fostering a culture of openness, organizations can significantly reduce feelings of burnout.
Scheduling and the Impact of Breaks
Effective scheduling plays a crucial role in maintaining energy levels and preventing burnout. Aligning tasks with energy peaks during the day, such as dedicating afternoons to administrative tasks, can help make work more manageable. Furthermore, the significance of taking regular short breaks rather than infrequent longer vacations was underscored, suggesting frequent time off can recharge workers better. By treating weekends like mini-vacations and consciously planning recovery time, individuals can enhance their mental capacity and enjoyment of work.
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.
If you are looking for more tips to improve the way you work and live, I write a weekly newsletter where I share practical and simple to apply tips to improve your life. You can sign up for that at howiwork.co