There are a lot of different kinds of burnout, but burnout at work is definitely one of the most common. And unfortunately, a lot of the time work burnout is something you just have to push through, especially if you don’t have the luxury of changing careers or switching companies. So whether you’re the head of your team and want to keep your employees happy and healthy, or you just want to prevent your own individual burnout, try setting some or all of these goals.

Pitch a passion project

Even if your actual day-to-day tasks aren’t the most fulfilling, try pitching a passion project that would help you stay motivated and excited. It can be something as simple as a holiday party or a “Thankful Thursday” charity event. Wherever your passions lie, see where there are opportunities to infuse them into your company.

Create a wellness-friendly workspace

If you’re currently working from home, you might have more flexibility here than in the office. But even so, once we are all back in the office together, creating a wellness-friendly workspace is something to prioritize for yourself, and it never hurts to ask management what adjustments you’re able to make. Here are a few ideas for incorporating wellness into your workspace:

• Change positions throughout the day: Try a standing desk, or even a work bike. I love mine!
• Use natural light: sit near a window or move your desk if you can. Being exposed to daylight while you work helps keep your circadian rhythm and stress levels in check. If windows aren’t an option, try a light therapy lamp to mimic that bright sunshine you need.
• Get ergonomic: Use a monitor riser to keep your computer at eye level so your head doesn’t tilt, pull your shoulders back and keep your back flat against the chair, rest your feet flat on the ground—no crossing ankles or legs and use a lumbar support tool to help keep your upper back straight and prevent slouching.
• Add some greenery: Besides all the health benefits houseplants can offer, they’re also just plain nice to look at. Plus, it gives you a mini goal of keeping something alive.

Become a thought leader in your industry

It’s never too early to start positioning yourself as a thought leader and an authority in your industry. Reach out to the right people to see if you can moderate or speak on a panel, appear on a podcast or submit a blog post. Identify opportunities to share your knowledge. Not only will this expand your role as a thought leader, but it will impress the higher ups in your own company for taking the initiative. 

Find a mentor

This is such an important one. I also highly recommend finding a mentor outside of your company, but one that will understand what your day-to-day and your industry looks like. I took a gamble and reached out to my current mentor on LinkedIn to see if we could meet for coffee and he has been mentoring me for almost 10 years. Do some research and reach out!

Work on quarterly soft skill development

Soft skills aren’t the same as being good at your job. Having a a full-rounded set of soft skills makes you not only a better business owner or worker, but a better human. Set a goal for yourself to focus on 1-2 soft skills per quarter. If you hit a roadblock with a hard skill, your soft skills are what helps you overcome or work around the challenge. Soft skills can include:

• Communication skills
• Work ethic
• Problem-solving skills
• Flexibility/adaptability
• Interpersonal skills
• Resiliency

The only person who is going to ensure you don’t burn out is you, so start the new year off on the right foot and set some goals, craft a plan, and go out there and crush it.