Avoiding Burnout While Managing Multiple Tasks

This is my third post (a series of 3), around CSM burnout. This post is geared towards those CSMs who are burning out, feel lost, or overwhelmed. I'm writing this as a CSM who has suffered from burnout in the past, and who was able to come out of it. So here's my advice to you, things that I have implemented on my day-to-day to ensure I remain sane. 1. Focus on what you can control: It is easy to become overwhelmed by the multitude of tasks and challenges in CS. Focus on what you can influence and improve. 2. Learn to prioritize your portfolio, do what you can: Not all customers require the same level of attention at all times. Prioritize your portfolio based on factors such as potential impact, urgency, and strategic importance. 3. Share feedback with your leaders, and not just complain... offer solutions: If you're feeling overwhelmed or struggling with certain aspects of your job, don't hesitate to communicate with your leaders. However, it's important to not just complain but also offer constructive solutions or suggestions for improvement. 4. Find a support group of people where you can vent Seek out a support group of peers, whether it's on platforms like Reddit or through connections on LinkedIn. Having a space to share experiences, seek advice, and offer support can help alleviate feelings of isolation and stress. 5. Exercise, practice yoga, meditate: Physical activity and mindfulness practices are powerful tools for managing stress and preventing burnout. Incorporate regular exercise, yoga, or meditation into your routine to help alleviate tension. 6. Find a mentor or a coach who can guide you: Having someone experienced to provide guidance and support can be invaluable in navigating challenges and avoiding burnout. 7. Set boundaries and learn to say no: It's important to recognize your limitations and set boundaries to protect your well-being. Learn to say no to requests or commitments that exceed your capacity or aren't aligned with your priorities. 8. Take regular breaks and disconnect: Breaks are essential for recharging your batteries and maintaining productivity. Schedule regular breaks throughout your day to rest, recharge, and step away from your work. 9. Celebrate successes and practice self-care: It's important to celebrate your achievements and prioritize self-care. Take time to acknowledge your accomplishments, no matter how small, and treat yourself with kindness and compassion. 10. Continuously learn and adapt (having a growth mindset): The field of customer success is constantly evolving, and it's essential to stay adaptable and open to learning. Invest in your professional development by seeking out growth opportunities. This is what I've done... and what I keep doing to ensure I'm my best self to keep helping customers succeed.

I Was Drowning In Busy Season! (Then I Found This Mental Hack) Ever felt your brain was being pulled in 8 different directions at once? That was me a few months back. 4 different clients. Long hours workweeks. 1 auditor - Me. And the problem wasn't the amount of work. It was something far more dangerous. My mind was constantly shifting: From Task A to Task B. From Client 1 to Client 3. From urgent email to random ping. Each switch felt like it drained a little more of my mental battery. Until one week, I hit empty. Know that feeling of heaviness in your head? When your thoughts feel like they're wading through mud? That's where I was. But I refused to accept this as "just part of the job." There had to be a better way. And after weeks of experimenting, I found 3 mental hacks that saved my sanity. These aren't your typical productivity tips. These are survival techniques for anyone juggling multiple clients. Here's what worked for me: 1. Your Brain is Not a Storage Device Your mind wasn't designed to remember things. It was designed to GET THINGS DONE. So stop forcing it to be your to-do list. Every time a manager pinged me with a request, I immediately wrote it down in OneNote. Not tomorrow. Not "when I have time." IMMEDIATELY. Then I'd mentally release it. Think of your brain like your smartphone – when too many apps are running in the background, everything slows down. Close those background apps. 2. Treat Client-Facing Tasks Like Hot Potatoes When juggling multiple clients, everything seems urgent. But here's the truth: Not all urgent tasks are created equal. My breakthrough came when I realized this simple rule: Anything that goes directly to a client takes absolute priority. Emails. Deliverables. Meeting preparations. Think of them as hot potatoes – get them off your plate FIRST. Everything else? It can wait for 25 minutes. 3. The 25-Minute Forcefield I started using the Pomodoro Technique – 25 minutes of intense focus, followed by a 5-minute break. During those 25 minutes, I created a mental forcefield around myself. No emails. No Slack pings. No team check-ins. Just me and ONE task. Unless you're in a live client meeting, NOTHING is so urgent it can't wait 25 minutes. The most surprising benefit? This practice didn't just save my work life – it saved my personal life too. Before, even when talking with my parents, my mind would wander to pending tasks. Now, I'm fully present wherever I am. If you're in a client-facing role juggling multiple projects, these techniques aren't optional – they're essential for your mental health. Are you constantly task-switching? What techniques have worked for you? If you enjoyed reading this, it's a snippet from my FREE weekly newsletter where I share everything about my audit lessons and concepts. #audit #productivity #mentalhealth #consulting #clientmanagement

If you're a marketer, or work in a creative role, time management is bullsh*t. I always wondered why it never worked for me. I tried all the tips (time blocking, focus hours, etc.). But it was never sustainable. Then, I gradually realized what the real solution was. Energy management. Just like we have a certain amount of time every day, we have a certain amount of energy every day. And as a marketer/content creator, your tasks can be deceptive. For example, your to-do lists may seem simple, for example: - write a video script - edit 3 video clips - work on new messaging But when you get into it, you're doing mentally draining work. So, you can block time for different things on your calendar all you want, and try to plan the most productive day/week, but if you're not considering the energy that goes into each task, it'll be difficult to follow through. And IF you're able to follow through, you won't be able to maintain it for a prolonged period of time, leading to burn out. So, to remain productive AND avoid burnout, you need to consider managing your energy, moreso than managing your time. Cruising at 85% every day will prevent you from burning out in a few weeks/months (and then having to operate at 20%). Sure, you can have those days where you go 100%, but trying to do that every day will lead to burnout much faster. So, if you find yourself having trouble figuring out how to juggle your tasks, get everything done, and not feel drained for the next few days, try analyzing your tasks for how much mental energy they consume, and restructure your days accordingly.

What happens when productivity becomes your worst enemy, leading to burnout? Well, I’ve been there. A few years ago, my routines stopped moving me forward. I was hitting deadlines but losing clarity and passion. I thought I was being productive, but it turns out, it was burnout in disguise. Burnout doesn’t come with flashing signs. It sneaks in. You tell yourself finishing that next task will make everything okay. You say yes to another meeting, thinking high performance demands constant action. But when the excitement is gone, the sleepless nights pile up, and your mind won’t stop racing, you realize productivity isn’t about doing more. Here’s how I reclaimed my productivity and fought burnout: 1️⃣ Pause and Reflect Productivity isn’t doing more. It is about doing what matters most. 2️⃣ Prioritize Energy, Not Just Time Time management matters, but energy management is essential. Protect your mental, emotional, and physical reserves. 3️⃣ Set Boundaries Saying “no” can be one of the most productive things you do. Guard your focus. Recognize burnout before it’s too late: • Feeling drained even after rest • Constant mental overdrive • Irritability / losing interest in what excited you • Checking tasks but feeling unfulfilled True productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what aligns with your purpose. Takeaway: Productivity and burnout often walk a fine line. Success doesn’t come from endless work. It comes from knowing when to pause, recharge, and focus on what truly matters. Hit the 🔔-> Alex Wisch for more insight on #Productivity, avoiding #Burnout, and improving #Performance.

'Always on' isn't commitment. It's the fastest path to burnout. I learned this the hard way. Running on empty isn't sustainable—and it’s not success. Here are 7 principles I’ve learned to protect my peace, set boundaries, and thrive: ❌ Old Principle: Keep emotions out of work. ✅ New Principle: Lead with emotional intelligence. ↳ Use empathy to strengthen relationships. ↳ Handle conflicts with clarity and compassion. ❌ Old Principle: Prioritize work over rest. ✅ New Principle: Schedule rest to fuel your work. ↳ Schedule breaks like meetings—they’re non-negotiable. ↳ Disconnect fully during downtime to recharge. ❌ Old Principle: Solve everything yourself. ✅ New Principle: Delegate and empower others. ↳ Ask, “Who can handle this 80% as well as I can?” ↳ Focus on what only you can do. ❌ Old Principle: Multi-task to get more done. ✅ New Principle: Focus to get it done right. ↳ Group similar tasks to maximize efficiency. ↳ Shut off distractions during key work blocks. ❌ Old Principle: Say yes to everything. ✅ New Principle: Guard your time fiercely. ↳ Set clear boundaries upfront. ↳ “Let me check and get back to you.” ❌ Old Principle: Follow a rigid schedule. ✅ New Principle: Flexibility fuels creativity. ↳ Leave room for spontaneity. ↳ Be open to opportunities when inspiration strikes. ❌ Old Principle: Busy equals important. ✅ New Principle: Purposeful beats busy. ↳ Review weekly tasks—what can you eliminate? ↳ Spend more time on high-impact activities. The real secret? It’s not just about working smarter. It’s about setting boundaries that protect your peace and balance. Which of these new principles will you apply first? Let me know in the comments ⬇️ ♻️ Repost to help your network reclaim their time, energy, and boundaries! ➕ Follow Marco Franzoni for more insights on thriving at work and in life.