Burnout, Rejuvenation, and Momentum

During my senior year at KU, I joined a friend in pursuing an idea he had for a startup. It was a simple business, but super innovative back then… doing social media for businesses. We grew steadily for the next few years, bootstrapping our way to becoming a small agency with 12 team members.

Working past midnight was the glory of “grinding.” You put in the hours, you dealt with the pressure, and if you were tired, you listened to upbeat music. Exhaustion, stress, and feeling the need to disconnect weren’t really talked about.

Some years later, it was named in a conversation… Burnout.

I had experienced the feeling, but didn’t know it until I was already deep in the place of being burned out.

The Impact of Burnout

1. Emotional exhaustion — the tank is empty. 2. Depersonalization or cynicism — you stop caring about the work or the people you work with. 3. Reduced personal efficacy — your confidence in your ability to do the work drops.

The tricky part is that burnout isn't tangible. It doesn’t usually arrive in a single, notable moment. It builds slowly, eroding your energy moment to moment, until you’re running on fumes.

And when you’re in the depths of a job search, burnout is even more consequential. The “right” job could appear when you’re not feeling it that day. Networking today is important, but if you’re too drained to engage, those doors won’t open later. And when you are burned out, recovery takes time… time you might not feel you have.

Burnout triggers a vicious cycle. A spiral.

“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” – Proverb

Rejuvenation as the Antidote

Harvard Business Review has reported that employees who take regular breaks are 50% more productive and experience lower stress compared to those who don’t. A little pause actually helps you go faster.

Deliberate rest is a tool for creativity and high performance.

Last week I had dinner with a friend who just returned from a two-week backpacking trip along part of the Colorado Trail. She loves an adventure, but more importantly, she knows she’s prone to burnout. For her, rejuvenation is necessary. That trip was her way to avoid hitting empty and to return to her work with a full tank of energy and enthusiasm.

I know what you’re thinking. Two weeks away is a luxury most of us can’t afford. But you don’t have to disappear into the mountains to get the same effect. Rejuvenation can happen on a much smaller scale, and it can be built into your daily or weekly routine.

In my experience, some of the most effective recovery activities are the simplest: disconnecting from screens, spending time in nature, surrounding yourself with people who give you energy, engaging in hobbies that have nothing to do with your job search.

Doing things that give joy.

The key here is to be intentional. Rejuvenation doesn’t happen by accident. You have to plan for it, protect it, and prioritize it.

Momentum is Virtuous

Rejuvenation gives you energy.
Energy fuels the drive to work on hard things.
Working on hard things builds fulfillment.
Fulfillment creates momentum.

Rejuvenation triggers a virtuous cycle. A flywheel.

If you’re not familiar, Jim Collins describes the Flywheel Effect in Good to Great as continuous, disciplined actions that build compounding force over time.

Imagine a Job Search Flywheel:

Networking outreach leads to referrals that open doors.
Sharing new skills or insights online sparks inbound opportunities.
Interviews feel more natural when you’re walking in with warm introductions and fresh capabilities.
Those small wins leave you energized and ready to do more.

None of these actions alone will change your situation overnight. But each “win” adds another push to the flywheel, giving you the sense that momentum is building.

Here’s the challenge: momentum is much easier to maintain when you get clear, immediate feedback that what you’re doing is working. In a job search, that feedback can be rare. You might go weeks between visible signs of progress.

This is why rejuvenation becomes critical.

Prioritize Rejuvenation

The reality is that pushing without pause risks taking you out of the game entirely. Instead, defend your energy:

Disconnect daily. Step away from the job boards and your inbox for at least part of the day. Give your mind space to recharge.

Surround yourself with energizers. Spend time with people who leave you feeling uplifted rather than drained.

Go outside. Nature has measurable effects on reducing stress and improving focus. Even a 10-minute walk can help.

Schedule joy. Make time for things that make you laugh or feel genuinely happy. A hobby, connecting with your community... whatever fills your cup.

Take micro-breaks. Schedule 10–15 minute pauses like you would a meeting with a hiring manager. Totally disconnect. Breathe.

Don't treat these as “nice-to-haves.” They’re the foundation for the energy you need to pursue the right opportunities, follow up with your network, and show up with contagious energy in interviews.

A prompted reflection

As I mentioned last week, job searching is a job. But unlike a W-2 role, there’s no boss keeping you accountable. You’re the one who has to show up engaged every day. Rejuvenation is a requirement.

So, where are you today? Burned out? Rejuvenating? Building momentum?

Wherever you are, the next step is clear: protect your energy, fuel your drive, and get the flywheel turning.

Just like a marathoner hydrates and refuels to keep going, you need rejuvenation to carry you through the long miles of a job search.