Managing Workplace Burnout and Memory Issues

I Was on the Brink of Burnout (Here’s How I Turned It Around.) Last year, I hit a wall. It was late 2024, and I was juggling three clients at once. Here’s how my plate looked: For two clients, I was responsible for documenting workpapers. For another, I was handling more than 30 IT application controls and managing budgets and actuals for their entire engagement. September came, and everything spiraled out of control. Three clients. Three managers. Three teams. Multiple deadlines. 45-hour weeks. I started working on ad hoc tasks just to survive. But the cracks were showing. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and ready to give up. Then, a thought struck me; a lesson I had heard from Ankur Warikoo, someone I admire deeply. He once said, “Your brain’s job isn’t to remember things; it’s to understand and execute them.” That changed everything for me. I realized my problem wasn’t just the workload. It was how I managed it. Here’s what I did. I stopped relying on my brain to track everything. Instead, I used OneNote to manage tasks for each client. Step 1: I created three pages—one for each client. Step 2: Each day, I added a new heading with the date and listed every task as a checkbox. Step 3: For each task, I estimated how long it would take and noted it in brackets. Step 4: At the start of the day, I planned my available hours. If I had 9 hours and 6 were already allocated, I knew I could only take on 3 more hours of work. This simple system changed everything. I met my deadlines. I stopped feeling overwhelmed. I didn’t need to remember tasks anymore. Everything was written down. By the end of the day, I knew exactly what was done and what needed to be carried forward. The biggest lesson? Your brain is for thinking, not for remembering. Let tools handle the memory part. You’ll save your energy for what really matters—getting the work done. #itaudit #risk #internalaudit #riskmanagement #timemanagement #job #career #success #productivity

Burnout impacts more than half the workforce. Can you spot the signs? We often think burnout looks extreme, like a medical crisis, but it’s often much quieter. For years, I thought I was just busy - working nonstop, telling myself, “just one more thing.” But then I stopped going to the gym, stopped exploring nature, and felt disconnected from my kids. That’s when I realised it wasn’t just tiredness - it was burnout. Years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was one of the toughest periods of my life, and I believe that pushing myself so hard for so long played a role. Now, I remind myself that sometimes you need to slow down to speed up. Burnout doesn’t just affect your work - it affects your life and your health in ways you don’t always see. It can show up in hidden ways, like: ↳ Irritability with loved ones or colleagues ↳ Trouble focusing or constant forgetfulness ↳ Physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, or fatigue If this resonates, here are 5 actionable steps to take back control: 1/ Prioritise your self-care ↳ Move your body, eat nourishing foods, and focus on sleep 2/ Set boundaries ↳ Turn off work notifications after hours and say "no" when you need to 3/ Take intentional breaks ↳ Schedule time to reset - whether it’s a 10-minute walk or a full day off 4/ Delegate and focus ↳ Let go of what doesn’t need your attention. Use tools to work smarter, not harder 5/ Seek support ↳ Talk to someone you trust - a friend, coach, or professional - before it feels overwhelming Burnout isn’t a weakness. It’s your body asking for a change. Take it from me - it’s okay to pause, reset, and start putting yourself first again. 👇 How do you recharge? Let me know in the comments. ♻ Share this with someone who might need it. 🔔 Follow me, Jen Blandos, for daily insights on business, entrepreneurship, and workplace well-being.

I remember doing this when I was getting started in my career — With new job came new responsibilities. And I wanted to impress everyone around me. My boss, my manager, my colleagues, Even myself. And so I did everything I could to be the best — - Taking on every single work - Saying YES to every opportunity - Being available for work all the time - Always feeling like there’s a lot of left work And this barely left me little to no time for myself, my family and to prioritize my well-being. I was knee-deep in Burnout. And I knew I had caused this. By the time I understood my behavior, I was already suffering. But I knew it was time to change. So I created a system to get myself out of the Self-Inflicted Burnout — By following the S.E.L.F. approach. If this feels like you or someone you know, let them know about the SELF approach to prevent Burnout — ✅ S - Set Boundaries - Establish clear work hours and stick to them as much as possible. - Silence work notifications outside of work hours. - Communicate your boundaries clearly to colleagues and managers. ✅ E- Evaluate Expectations - Prioritize ruthlessly and delegate or eliminate non-essential tasks. - Set realistic deadlines that consider your workload and capacity. - Celebrate your accomplishments, big or small, to maintain motivation. ✅ L - Listen to Your Needs - Schedule time for self-care activities that promote relaxation and well-being. - Pay attention to your body's signals and prioritize rest when needed. - Recognize and address physical or emotional signs of stress promptly. ✅ F - Find Your Voice - Say no to requests that overload your schedule or don't align with your priorities. - Communicate your workload and needs clearly to colleagues and managers. - Collaborate on solutions to manage workload and expectations effectively. And don’t be afraid to ask for help! Have you ever experienced Burnout? Reshare this ♻️ to your network to help them out! _____ Hi, I'm Oliver, a CIO and career advisor from the trenches! I share tips on leadership, ultra-productivity, and career growth that help you to LEVEL UP without Burnout!

Dear Team, Have you ever heard of “the runner’s wall”? It’s that moment in a marathon when the runner’s legs feel like they’ve turned to lead. Their body is screaming to stop, but their willpower pushes them forward. They wobble, stumble, and sometimes cross the finish line dangerously close to collapse. The same thing can happen at work. It happens to me. When you push through long hours, skip breaks, or ignore signs of fatigue, you’re not being “tough” — you’re running straight into your own wall. And in our line of work, that can lead to mistakes, lapses in judgment, and serious incidents. What Burnout Looks Like: -Trouble focusing or forgetting simple tasks -Irritability or short temper with co-workers -Feeling tired even after sleeping -Going through the motions but not feeling engaged -Physical signs like headaches, tension, or dizziness These are your body’s warning lights. Ignoring them is like ignoring a low-fuel light on a jobsite vehicle — eventually, something shuts down. Tips & Tricks to Prevent Burnout: 1. Pace Yourself: Just like a marathon runner, steady effort wins the race. Take breaks, rotate tasks when possible, and manage your workload in realistic chunks. 2. Hydrate and Refuel: Dehydration and poor nutrition amplify fatigue. Drink water regularly, and eat balanced meals instead of skipping lunch or relying on energy drinks. 3. Rest Means Recovery: A good night’s sleep restores more than your energy — it rebuilds focus, balance, and emotional control. Set boundaries to protect your rest. 4. Talk About It: If you’re overloaded, speak up. Let your supervisor or safety lead know. Addressing stress early prevents burnout from turning into an incident. 5. Support Your Team: Keep an eye out for your coworkers. If you see someone “wobbling toward the finish line,” step in and help them reset. Safety is a team effort, not a solo race. Remember: You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you can’t work safely on empty energy. Burnout doesn’t just affect performance — it affects judgment, reaction time, and your ability to spot hazards. P.S.: Recognizing your limits is a strength, not a weakness. Slow down, recharge, and come back stronger. The goal isn’t to limp across the finish line — it’s to cross safely and ready for the next race. "Safety Takes Time, so Take the Time for Safety" Dwayne