Everything is (Not) Fine. Preventing Burnout as a Comms Professional.
We’re going to say it: in the world of communications, burnout has been normalized. Who hasn’t sent (or received) the ubiquitous “This is fine” meme? Deep down, we’re all just dogs on fire, sipping our coffee and pretending that everything’s okay.
It’s not sustainable. Eventually, that dog’s house will burn down. Eventually, even the most resilient communicators will burn out — no matter how many memes you send.
But you’re not powerless here. There are things you can do to prevent burnout. We’ll start with what’s scariest.
Talking to your leaders
Even though you may want to walk into your boss’ office, hand them a note that says, “S.O.S.” and then leave, this probably won’t get you anything other than a confused look. In order to get help, you’ll need to make a clear, compelling case for what you need. Here are a few tips for that conversation.
Focus on being cool, calm and collected.
Pro tip: Don’t rush into your leader’s office in a panic. Schedule a meeting (and include an agenda). When you do meet, take your time. Leave plenty of room in the conversation for your leader to ask questions and share ideas.
Come prepared with your problem and possible solutions.
When you paint a clear picture of both, your leader can see the big picture — and how they can help. This makes their job easier and positions you as a problem-solver. (A win-win.)
Connect your request to business goals.
Ever heard the saying, “Think like an owner?” Here’s your chance. By laddering your goals up to the goals of the business, you make a stronger case for what you need.
While these rules apply to all your conversations with leadership, certain details will depend on what you’re asking for.
| What do you need? | Tips for presenting your case |
|---|---|
| Another team member |
|
| More reasonable timelines |
|
| Better tools |
|
Saying “No,” but nicely
How many of us have said, “No worries!” when it’s actually very much worries?
Saying yes may give you an immediate hit of dopamine, but at what cost? Here’s how you can translate what you want to say into an email that sounds professional, not panicked.
| What you want to say | What to say instead |
|---|---|
| Hello. Your email about an upcoming project gave me intense anxiety. | Hi, Mary,
Thank you for reaching out to me about this project. I truly appreciate the opportunity. |
| My workload is already overwhelming. My calendar is a disaster. I can’t help you. | Unfortunately, due to my current workload, I won’t be able to give this project the attention it deserves. |
| Please don’t write me off completely. After I put out these 12 fires, I would be happy to help. | I’ll have more availability after open enrollment ends on the 20th. If your timeline is flexible, I’d love to reconnect then. |
| I’m ending this email on a positive note because I feel guilty about saying no to your request. | I hope we can collaborate in the future when our schedules align. |
Building supportive alliances
Remember, you’re not in this alone. (And neither is your team.) Make an effort to build relationships with people outside your department. They can offer support and advice — and even help amplify your concerns.
| Department | How they can help |
|---|---|
| Human Resources | HR holds the keys to all kinds of valuable insights and information — from employee satisfaction surveys to current policies and industry trends. |
| Training & Development | This team is usually filled with fellow communicators — and they’ve probably experienced similar struggles. Look for opportunities to team up! |
| Accounting | These folks are experts at slicing and dicing data. Plus, they can probably help you figure out that Excel formula you’ve been struggling with for hours. |
Keeping a record
Write everything down, always. That’s our motto, and it’s not just because we love writing.
Keeping track of your accomplishments and struggles can make it easier for you to articulate your needs and present your case when the time comes. Here’s a list of examples to get you started.
| Accomplishments | Struggles |
|---|---|
|
|
Take it one step at a time
Don’t burn yourself out trying to prevent burnout. Pick one opportunity and focus on that.
And if you need help tackling some pressing communications challenges – from social media content to change communications – send that S.O.S. to Mary Pat at WordsFresh. We can help.
Everything is (Not) Fine. Preventing Burnout as a Comms Professional.
We’re going to say it: in the world of communications, burnout has been normalized. Who hasn’t sent (or received) the ubiquitous “This is fine” meme? Deep down, we’re all just dogs on fire, sipping our coffee and pretending that everything’s okay.
It’s not sustainable. Eventually, that dog’s house will burn down. Eventually, even the most resilient communicators will burn out — no matter how many memes you send.
But you’re not powerless here. There are things you can do to prevent burnout. We’ll start with what’s scariest.
Talking to your leaders
Even though you may want to walk into your boss’ office, hand them a note that says, “S.O.S.” and then leave, this probably won’t get you anything other than a confused look. In order to get help, you’ll need to make a clear, compelling case for what you need. Here are a few tips for that conversation.
Focus on being cool, calm and collected.
Pro tip: Don’t rush into your leader’s office in a panic. Schedule a meeting (and include an agenda). When you do meet, take your time. Leave plenty of room in the conversation for your leader to ask questions and share ideas.
Come prepared with your problem and possible solutions.
When you paint a clear picture of both, your leader can see the big picture — and how they can help. This makes their job easier and positions you as a problem-solver. (A win-win.)
Connect your request to business goals.
Ever heard the saying, “Think like an owner?” Here’s your chance. By laddering your goals up to the goals of the business, you make a stronger case for what you need.
While these rules apply to all your conversations with leadership, certain details will depend on what you’re asking for.
| What do you need? | Tips for presenting your case |
|---|---|
| Another team member |
|
| More reasonable timelines |
|
| Better tools |
|
Saying “No,” but nicely
How many of us have said, “No worries!” when it’s actually very much worries?
Saying yes may give you an immediate hit of dopamine, but at what cost? Here’s how you can translate what you want to say into an email that sounds professional, not panicked.
| What you want to say | What to say instead |
|---|---|
| Hello. Your email about an upcoming project gave me intense anxiety. | Hi, Mary,
Thank you for reaching out to me about this project. I truly appreciate the opportunity. |
| My workload is already overwhelming. My calendar is a disaster. I can’t help you. | Unfortunately, due to my current workload, I won’t be able to give this project the attention it deserves. |
| Please don’t write me off completely. After I put out these 12 fires, I would be happy to help. | I’ll have more availability after open enrollment ends on the 20th. If your timeline is flexible, I’d love to reconnect then. |
| I’m ending this email on a positive note because I feel guilty about saying no to your request. | I hope we can collaborate in the future when our schedules align. |
Building supportive alliances
Remember, you’re not in this alone. (And neither is your team.) Make an effort to build relationships with people outside your department. They can offer support and advice — and even help amplify your concerns.
| Department | How they can help |
|---|---|
| Human Resources | HR holds the keys to all kinds of valuable insights and information — from employee satisfaction surveys to current policies and industry trends. |
| Training & Development | This team is usually filled with fellow communicators — and they’ve probably experienced similar struggles. Look for opportunities to team up! |
| Accounting | These folks are experts at slicing and dicing data. Plus, they can probably help you figure out that Excel formula you’ve been struggling with for hours. |
Keeping a record
Write everything down, always. That’s our motto, and it’s not just because we love writing.
Keeping track of your accomplishments and struggles can make it easier for you to articulate your needs and present your case when the time comes. Here’s a list of examples to get you started.
| Accomplishments | Struggles |
|---|---|
|
|
Take it one step at a time
Don’t burn yourself out trying to prevent burnout. Pick one opportunity and focus on that.
And if you need help tackling some pressing communications challenges – from social media content to change communications – send that S.O.S. to Mary Pat at WordsFresh. We can help.
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