I used the pandemic situation to reevaluate and rearrange my life. Turns out that I want to do product design and development. And all the experience as a business owner, product manager, etc, is coming handy when crafting new products.
I have survived several burnouts in those years of pushing myself harder. Learned my lessons.
Balance is the key. Physical and mental health are most important things, everything else comes secondary.
After my first burnout, I created a simple priority checklist, which I apply every year.
It is simple:
1. Health.
2. Fulfillment / Meaning.
3. Experience.
4. Monetary reward.
5. Career development.
If something in this list changes priorities, I stop, take a vacation and reevaluate.
You cannot be happy if you are not healthy.
You cannot be healthy if you don’t have enough sleep and proper nutrition.
You cannot have enough sleep if your nervous system is on overload.
You cannot work meaningfully if you don’t “play" regularly.