Balancing Ambition and Well-Being: 5 Strategies to Avoid Burnout

On a trip to Revelstoke, BC to visit a dear friend during my sabbatical

Why I Refuse to Burn Out Again (and How I’m Changing My Approach to Work)

Burnout happens when I constantly push myself to do more, to achieve more. It doesn’t matter if my job is supportive or encourages a healthy work-life balance—if I’m fixated on proving myself or doing more, I’ll find ways to fill every free moment with another task.

I could take on a side hustle, rent out a property on Airbnb, do freelance work, or drive for Uber. In today’s gig economy, there’s no shortage of opportunities to make extra money.

But the real question is: how do I stop myself from falling into this endless cycle? Is it wrong to want to earn more? No, of course not. But in my experience, it’s not always about the money.

More Work, More Identity?

For me, the underlying issue wasn’t financial need—it was a deeper need to feel okay with myself. If my job wasn’t as prestigious as I thought it should be, I would seek out another identity.

Every new job or title became a way for me to feel better about myself, reinforcing the idea that my worth was tied to my work. This, I realized, is where the real problem lies.

Seeking a New Perspective

Recently, I’ve been reading The End of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us and How to Build Better Lives by Jonathan Malesic. I picked up a few books on work and sabbaticals from the library to help me integrate the lessons from my sabbatical into my life.

Malesic’s book takes a deep dive into the history and culture of burnout—and how it doesn’t have to be our reality. Here are some reflections that the work has prompted for me as I consider how to work well and joyfully and steer clear of burnout in the next chapter of my career.

How Do We Create a Life with Work, But Not Burnout?

1. Accept What I Have Been Given

If I truly want to avoid burnout, I need to accept the workload I’ve been given at any point in time. There were times in my life when I wondered why my job wasn’t “enough.” Why was I always chasing after more challenging work, higher pay, or better titles?

As I look toward a new phase of my career after my MBA and sabbatical, I’m learning to embrace what I have now, doing my work well without adding unnecessary tasks. I used to take pride in being faster or more efficient than others, but I now realize that speed isn't always a virtue. It’s about doing my best—without rushing.

2. View My Workload Objectively

I’ve also started to ask myself: Is this workload reasonable? Is it sustainable? Sometimes, I can handle multiple projects simultaneously, but eventually, it catches up with me.

As a high-capacity creator, I’ve often started new ventures, only to find myself overwhelmed when everything is in full swing. Now, I’m more mindful of how much I’m juggling at once, including life’s daily tasks—working out, grocery shopping, cooking, and laundry. These seemingly small responsibilities take up mental energy, too.

3. Define How Much Money Is Enough

This is where it gets real. In my early twenties, I had a simple financial goal: $3,000 a month. That amount allowed me to live freely and continue traveling, which was all I needed at the time.

Now, with bigger expenses like a mortgage and insurance, my cost of living has increased, but the principle remains: What is enough? Everyone’s number will be different, but identifying it is key to contentment. Once I see the numbers clearly, I can decide that I have enough and choose to enjoy my free time rather than filling it with more work.

4. Weigh the Trade-offs

What am I sacrificing to take on this extra work? Is it worth it? Once I’ve identified my “enough,” it becomes easier to evaluate the trade-offs. Time, health, friendships, family, travel, gadgets—these are all areas where I make conscious decisions.

I can’t do everything at once, so it’s essential to prioritize what matters most.

5. Schedule Downtime

For me, this means having at least one 3-4 hour block in my week where I don’t have to do anything. Ideally, it’s a full day—my Sabbath. I’m no longer obsessed with filling every waking moment with productivity, and this has grounded me in ways I didn’t expect.

Scheduling rest makes it real. It’s not just an idea or a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Integrating My Sabbatical Lessons into Everyday Life

I’m in the process of applying the lessons from my sabbatical to my life now. I’ve got more books to explore and another trip to the library planned. The journey isn’t over, but I’m learning how to live and work without burning out.

For me, reflecting on how I want to work in the future has been a key purpose of my sabbatical. It wasn’t just about taking time to rest, but about finding a different way to live and work—so that I can truly unlock my full potential.

And I’m not talking about potential in just one job where I pour myself into the work, shine for a time, but burn out after three years. I want to have a long, fulfilling career where I continue to grow, expand, and give my best. This means learning how to work in a way that allows me to sustain my best self over the long term.