How You Can Avoid Burnout: Choose Your Life, Not Just Your Career
Full video at youtube.com/@ambitionaligned - Link here
Are you outwardly successful but inwardly feeling increasingly drained, disconnected, or unfulfilled? You're not alone. Burnout affects approximately 77% of professionals at some point, significantly impacting health, happiness, and productivity. Yet burnout doesn't have to be inevitable — you can proactively avoid it and create a more balanced, fulfilling life.
In a recent conversation on my show, "Ambition, Aligned," I had the privilege of interviewing Eric Nehrlich , former Chief of Staff at Google, now an executive coach and author of "You Have a Choice." Together, we unpacked how burnout manifests, why it's critical to recognize early signs, and practical strategies for reclaiming your health and happiness.
Eric’s personal journey from burnout to thriving as an executive coach uniquely positions him to offer transformative insights. As a current Google leader, ex-Deloitte and boutique consultant, and executive advisor myself, , I've also navigated intense pressures, led teams through high-stakes projects, and personally experienced the toll burnout can take. Our combined backgrounds provide practical, battle-tested strategies rather than mere theories.
The Problem: When Success Feels Like Failure
On the surface, Eric Nehrlich was living what many would consider a dream life at Google: frequent meetings with senior VPs, leading impactful strategy discussions, and managing substantial budgets. But behind closed doors, Eric was barely holding on:
Working over 100 hours per week.
Neglecting his physical health, relationships, and personal passions.
Chasing a prestigious promotion at the expense of everything else important to him.
Eric candidly shared that despite numerous red flags—like friends expressing concern and a significant relationship ending due to his excessive work—he continued to push forward, convinced that "this is what it takes to succeed."
The turning point was abrupt and harsh: Eric woke up one Christmas Day with a debilitating 103-degree fever, bedridden and forced into profound reflection. In his words:
"No promotion, paycheck, or prestige is worth sacrificing your health, relationships, and sense of purpose."
Key Insight from the Interview
One profound takeaway Eric shared is the importance of "micro-experiments"—small, safe steps toward significant change. He explained that you don't need dramatic, immediate shifts. Instead, simple experiments can clarify your true priorities and gradually guide you toward a fulfilling, sustainable career path.
How to Fix It: 5 Detailed Steps to Beat Burnout
Based on Eric's transformative story and our combined coaching experiences, here are five actionable steps:
1. Recognize and Validate the Symptoms Early
Chronic fatigue, persistent stress, diminished enthusiasm, strained relationships, and physical symptoms like frequent illness or disrupted sleep are all warning signs.
2. Reflect Deeply on Your True Values
Explicitly define what's genuinely non-negotiable (e.g., health, family, purpose).
Challenge societal pressures: Is relentless career advancement truly aligned with your core values?
3. Master the Art of Saying 'No'
Eric suggests a powerful tactic: never commit immediately. Instead, respond with, "Let me review my commitments first."
Regularly evaluate requests against your priorities to stay aligned with your core values.
4. Implement Small, Purposeful Experiments
Introduce low-risk, manageable changes to test alternative roles, tasks, or activities.
Identify and focus more on the work and activities that genuinely energize and fulfill you.
5. Embrace Short-Term Consequences for Long-Term Freedom
Understand that shifting priorities may mean sacrificing immediate rewards like promotions or financial gains.
View these temporary sacrifices as investments in long-term fulfillment, happiness, and health.
The Transformative Power of Choice
Eric’s journey clearly illustrates how intentionally choosing life balance over relentless career pursuit can yield unexpected and positive outcomes:
Dramatically improved health and overall well-being.
Deepened relationships and a greater sense of community.
New and fulfilling professional paths that better align with personal values and aspirations.
Your Life, Your Decision
If you're feeling trapped by career demands, consider this shared message from our conversation:
"You always have a choice—experiment boldly, align with your true values, and don’t fear stepping onto a less-traveled, yet potentially more fulfilling path."
It's challenging but profoundly rewarding to intentionally choose a balanced, fulfilling life over burnout and stress. Eric’s experience—and those of the leaders we've coached—shows it's never too late to take that critical first step.
Make your life count by making conscious, intentional choices.
For more powerful insights and the full conversation with Eric Nehrlich, check out the latest episode of "Ambition, Aligned" on our YouTube channel.
I'd love to hear your strategies or challenges in avoiding burnout. What's been your biggest breakthrough or toughest obstacle? Share your thoughts below!
