When success isn’t enough and burnout looms: How to know when to jump and plan your next step

It's careers Q&A day where we give you some personal attention by answering your questions.

Today's question comes from a listener in the media world: "I've climbed the ladder and I'm doing pretty well, but I feel really burned out. When is it time to jump and leave? And how do I make a plan to do that in a thoughtful and stable way?"

What we cover:

If you've reached a point where you're not functioning, your first priority is to take care of yourself. That might mean getting signed off before you make any big decisions. None of us do our best thinking when we're exhausted, and a rushed exit rarely leads to a good next step.

If you're managing the burnout but can see the cliff face coming, consider making a measured plan: squirrel away what you can, plan a thoughtful exit, and give yourself at least three months to recover and reflect before deciding what's next. Plan from a place of rest, not depletion.

Before you conclude it's time to leave entirely, get specific about what you've fallen out of love with. Is it the work itself? The people? A shift in the organisation's leadership or direction? Pinpointing the source helps you identify what's within your gift to change, and sometimes a conversation or a different type of project is enough to realign things.

Most employers genuinely want their people to be well at work. If it feels safe to do so, wave the flag, support may be available that you don't yet know about. Use discernment, but don't assume the answer is silence.

Send your questions: Email or voicenote to pod@thecareerequation.com

Links:

Career Conversations Guide: https://www.thecareerequation.com/career-conversations-guide

Book an intro call: https://www.thecareerequation.com/book-intro-call

Erica on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/ericasosna

Zoë on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/zoeschofieldcoach