Build a Better Burger

When I was a kid the one time I really wanted to be an adult was when my parents refused to buy me a board game called Build a Better Burger.

It was so unfair.

I was desperate to be able to make my own decisions, to be independent, to get a game I wanted to play. I longed to be an adult and thought it the best thing ever, so much easier than being a kid.

And how wrong I was.

Feeling stuck at work? Your boundaries might be the problem

As children, our boundaries are set for us, we don’t have to think about them. And with solid boundaries, good love and decent nutrition, our basic childhood needs are met.

As an adult, we still need firm boundaries. Floppy, baggy, saggy boundaries lead to ten types of burnout. Believe me, I’ve seen it countless times.

And strong boundaries are just one of the foundations of extreme self care.

Think about it.

How many times have you dragged yourself to your desk, running on fumes and copious amounts of coffee, only to stare blankly at your computer screen? I bet your productivity wasn’t exactly skyrocketing.

Career development when you’re not looking for a new job: why wellbeing comes first

So, what’s a career activist to do? Well, for starters, we need to stop treating self-care like it’s a luxury spa day and start seeing it for what it is: essential maintenance.

This is especially true for professional development while employed. You need sustained energy and mental clarity to build career capital over time.

Building your burger better: practical strategies for mid-career professionals

Here are a few thoughts about how you could strengthen your foundations for well-being:

Set boundaries like they’re going out of fashion. Your work email doesn’t get to live in your brain rent free.

Take your lunch break. Scrolling through work emails while inhaling a lacklustre sandwich doesn’t count, by the way.

Move your body. Even if it’s just a walk around the block. Your mind will thank you.

Practise saying no (this one is a tough one for a lot of you, me included).

Cultivate interests outside of work. You’re not just your job title.

Remember, you’re playing the long game here.

Career success at mid-career stage is a marathon, not a sprint.

Career growth without changing jobs: the sustainable approach

So, next time you’re tempted to skip your lunch break to finish that report, ask yourself: am I building a career or running full speed into a brick wall of doom?

Building career capital while employed requires you to show up consistently as your best self. That’s impossible when you’re burnt out.

I’d love to hear your thoughts on this. How do you maintain your wellbeing while building your career?