As we move through the year, burnout is a common experience. With the demands of school, extracurricular activities, and other commitments, people can just lose the motivation to do the things they need to. This can especially happen in BBYO, when the work might seem to be too much and isn’t getting done. If you are struggling with BBYO Burnout, here are my tips to help you navigate the experience and regain your motivation.

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1. Know your limits

The idea of being on multiple committees, serving on steering committees, and being a board member sounds great, but it can get a little much. Be realistic about your time and know when to say no to keep yourself within your limits.

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2. Breakdown tasks into smaller ones

Sometimes big projects, like planning a chapter convention, can seem overwhelming and daunting. Break it down into smaller tasks, including finding a host, deciding on a theme, and choosing which programs will take place. This allows the bigger task to feel more manageable.

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3. Lean on others

If you ever need help, you can always reach out to your friends, advisors, and staff for advice. All of these people want you to succeed and will help you if you ask. Additionally, another way you can lean on others to reduce burnout is to create committees to help plan and promote programs, so that you have less on your plate.

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4. Give yourself a treat when you finish

Sometimes a simple treat is enough to motivate someone to do something. Whether it’s a Starbucks run or getting that new shirt you want, sometimes having a tangible item to work towards gives you that final push you need to do something.

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5. Remember your why

Everyone has different reasons for joining BBYO and taking on a leadership role. Whether it was to make friends or for the experience, you have decided to dedicate some of your time to this organization. Remembering this can help you recenter yourself when feeling demotivated.

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6. Take a break (within reason)

Now, you still need to get your work done, but you don’t need to do it all at once. If you just spent thirty minutes writing a program or calling prospects, take a five-minute break. This will allow you to refocus while keeping your motivation constant throughout the entire process.

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7. Try a new way of doing things

Sometimes, changing how you do something can make it more interesting. Whether it’s trying a new system for a calling tree to recruit people to come to your events or how you plan your programs, a change can make a repetitive task feel less monotonous.

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8. Celebrate your accomplishments

Take a moment and celebrate. Whether you finished a script for a program or brought in a new prospect to an event, celebrate it. The work you put in is paying off, and that deserves to be celebrated and acknowledged.

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9. Focus on time tanagement

Managing your time is extremely important. If you don’t want to fall behind on your work, try making a calendar and scheduling separate time for studying and other activities. This will keep you accountable and ensure that you don’t feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you need to complete.

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10. Remember: this is normal

Experiencing burnout is common. Almost everyone has lost motivation to get things done and feels burned out at some point, and that is okay. It doesn't mean you don’t care or that you need to fix yourself; you just need to recenter and find that spark again.

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