The 3 Types of Burnout (and What to Do About Them) 🤯
Issue #127: Not all burnout is caused by overwork. Become an internet power-user in minutes. When we should take a break.
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We all love productivity.
We’ve tried the apps. The hacks. The color-coded calendars.
(Heck, you probably signed up for this newsletter because I promised to help you get more done.)
But if you’ve been reading for a while, you might’ve noticed—I don’t talk about productivity in the usual way.
I don’t care how much you get done in a day.
I care about how you feel while doing it.
That’s what I call peaceful growth.
Sustainable productivity.
Where your progress doesn’t come at the cost of your peace.
And the #1 killer of that kind of growth?
Burnout.
Not just tiredness. Not just stress.
But that low, heavy fog that makes everything feel harder than it should.
The mood killer. The joy killer. The energy zapper.
There’s a study I read recently that hit hard:
In a 2021 survey of over 10,000 workers across 100 countries, almost 3 in 5 people said they felt burnt out.
Not just once. Regularly.
And most of them couldn’t even explain why.
They weren’t working 100-hour weeks.
They weren’t always under extreme pressure.
But something was off.
Here’s what I’ve learned:
Burnout isn’t just about overwork.
There are different kinds of burnout.
I actually first read about these three types of burnout in Ali Abdaal’s book Feel‑Good Productivity.
And each one needs a different fix.
Let me break it down.
1. “Too Much on My Plate” Burnout
This one’s obvious.
You’re juggling too many projects, meetings, ideas, people.
Your calendar looks like a losing game of Tetris.
It’s not just work either.
It’s family. Social stuff. Errands.
You’re stretched thin.
So your brain and body go into survival mode.
Last year, I said yes to everything—launching a podcast, running three newsletters, building a new product, starting a mastermind group, learning AI, and growing my agency.
All of them are exciting. All of them… too much.
By mid-year, I was snapping at people I love and couldn’t finish anything without sighing 10 times.
What helps?
Say “no” more often (even to fun stuff)
Avoid chasing every shiny object
Try the NICE goal
Think subtraction, not addition.
2. “Running on Empty” Burnout
This one’s sneakier.
You’re taking breaks… but not the kind you need.
Scrolling Instagram isn’t real rest.
Neither is answering emails on the couch.
Your mind, body, and soul are starving for deeper recovery.
What helps?
Try taking what I call a “productive break” or a quick power nap to recharge.
If your schedule allows, experiment with a “growth week” — a few focused days just for learning, rest, or deep work.
And remember: don’t force yourself to give 100% when you’re running at 40%. Be kind to your energy.
Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement.
3. “What’s the Point?” Burnout
This one hits the hardest.
You’re working hard… on the wrong thing.
It doesn’t light you up.
It doesn’t align with your values.
It doesn’t feel like you.
So even when you win… it feels empty.
What helps?
Audit your calendar: what actually energizes you?
Check where you are in the motivation spectrum?
Make tiny course corrections toward meaning
Sometimes burnout isn’t about how hard you're working.
It’s about why you're working.
Final thought
Burnout doesn’t always look like a breakdown.
Sometimes it’s just quiet frustration.
Or numbness.
Or waking up every day a little less excited than the one before.
But here’s something important:
If you’re in a great flow, full of energy—don’t mess with it.
Forget routines. Skip the hacks.
All those methods exist to help you get energized.
But if you’re already in the zone, just ride the wave.
And for those of us lucky enough to work from anywhere…
With a comfy home, good coffee, a flexible schedule—
Sometimes we confuse boredom with burnout.
But you don’t need more ease.
You probably need a bit more challenge.
A stretch. A mountain. A mission.
Because the goal isn’t just to get things done.
The goal is to feel alive while doing it.
🚀 Growth Tip
Want to get better at using the internet?
This video is full of cool tools, websites, and tips that will help you search faster, stay safe, and be more creative online.
I’ve watched it more than once—it’s that useful.
🤩 Inspiration
Most of us wait until we’re totally drained before we take a break.
But honestly, it’s way smarter to rest before you hit empty.
👋 Until next time, Anil / CEO and Co-Founder of Multidots, Multicollab, and Dotstore.
May the Peaceful Growth be with you! 🪴
More Ways to Learn + Grow
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#3: My Go-to Tools for Productivity & Growth 👇🏾
