Burnout happens. It’s something many of us will experience at times in a demanding, service-oriented profession like physical therapy, coaching, or healthcare. Long hours, emotional investment, and the expectation of constant problem-solving can take a toll, even on the most passionate among us. But burnout isn’t inevitable—it can be mitigated with intentional strategies. Here are five practices to help you find balance and stay energized over the long haul.
1. Learn to Appreciate the Process
Progress is rarely linear. Whether you’re helping a patient regain strength or guiding an athlete back to peak performance, the journey often involves setbacks, plateaus, and unexpected detours. When you focus on the process—the small wins and meeting of benchmarks, consistent effort, and the relationships you build—you’re less likely to feel overwhelmed by the weight of an uncertain outcome. Celebrate the little victories along the way. Did you learn something new? Did a patient make even a tiny improvement? These moments are the foundation of your work. This is true for your professional development and progress in a company or specific position as well.
2. Care About the Results, but Don’t Get Overly Attached
Outcomes matter. You wouldn’t be in this field if you didn’t care about helping people succeed. It’s hard to fail and most of us aren’t used to experiencing it. But the hard truth is that not every patient will get better, not every athlete will listen, and some situations are beyond your control. That’s not a reflection of your dedication or expertise. Letting go of unrealistic expectations and accepting that not every case will have a perfect outcome is liberating. Finding ways to succeed in this uncertainty and doing your best to forecast your expected outcomes and set realistic goals with your patient will go a long way. Your responsibility is to show up, give your best effort, educate your patient along the way, and trust the process—not to control the uncontrollable.
3. Listen and Be Humble
Every interaction is an opportunity to learn. Patients, parents, coworkers, leaders within your company, coaches, and physicians all have something to teach you—if you’re open to it. Listening with humility fosters stronger relationships and improves your problem-solving abilities. Even in frustrating situations, there’s often a nugget of wisdom to take away. When you adopt a mindset of curiosity and respect, you’ll find yourself growing professionally and personally in ways you never expected.
4. Reflect on Your Goals but Focus on the Process
Where do you want your career to take you? Reflection is essential to staying aligned with your purpose. Write down both short- and long-term goals, and use them as a compass to guide your decisions. But remember: while goals provide direction, the process gets you there. Checking in with your goals periodically can help you course-correct, but don’t let them consume you. Trust in the day-to-day work, and the outcomes will often take care of themselves. When you don’t meet goals reflect on what you could have controlled and done better. Was the anticipated timeline appropriate? If not, adjust and jump back into the process.
5. Define Work and Downtime
The boundary between work and life can blur in fields like ours. There will be times when you need to step outside your regular schedule for a patient or professional obligation, but it’s critical to evaluate: “Could this wait? Would it be better handled at another time?” Prioritize activities that rejuvenate you, whether it’s working out, spending time with family, or pursuing hobbies. Experiment with your schedule to find the rhythms that allow you to be fully present both at work and at home. Doing this can optimize your workflow to allow you to “live in your genius.”
Burnout isn’t about working too hard—it’s about working unsustainably. By embracing the process, detaching from outcomes, staying humble, aligning with your goals, and carving out intentional downtime, you can continue to do the work you love while staying energized and fulfilled.
