Somesh Dwivedi, Founder SUCCESSIFY
We all have the same 24 hours in a day. A typical job demands at least 8 hours, and after accounting for commuting, chores, and sleep, you’re left with barely 10% of your time for yourself or your family. Weekends? They’re often spent catching up on household tasks—unless work deadlines hijack them too. Sound familiar?
Before long, you’ll be googling “How to avoid burnout?”
Work-life balance is a buzzword, but how many of us truly pursue it? In India, burnout isn’t just common—it’s a glaring reality. Studies keep highlighting it, yet little changes.
The Approach
The solution starts with realizing one truth: *Grinding 24/7 isn’t sustainable success.* You need balance and consistency.
First, define what success means to you—strip away the materialistic noise. That dream home or luxury car? They’re not the ultimate goals. Maybe it’s a life where you and your family thrive together. Or perhaps it’s something else entirely. Whatever it is, identify your lighthouse—the guiding principle that keeps you anchored.
Work-Life Balance: Easier Said Than Done
Achieving balance is tough, especially in India. Many who need it most don’t even dare to try, trapped in the “Log kya sochenge?” mindset. Professional stature becomes a badge of honor, and overwork a way of life. Patriarchy often exacerbates this, with spouses (usually women) bearing the brunt of unpaid domestic labor.
Even work-from-home (WFH), meant to offer flexibility, has been twisted into “always-on” work culture in India. We wear overwork as a badge of pride—“My work comes first!”—as if equating ourselves to soldiers or freedom fighters. Let’s be clear: Dedication is admirable, but when everything else becomes secondary, it’s not dedication—it’s self-sabotage.
Job insecurity fuels a toxic competition culture. Employees claw over each other to “outperform,” creating workplaces riddled with suspicion—even managers fall prey to it. Employers, sensing this desperation, keep expanding expectations until workplaces become stress factories. And our inability to say “No”? It erodes boundaries until work bleeds into every waking hour.
Recognizing Burnout Before It’s Too Late
Burnout isn’t subtle. Physical signs—fatigue, headaches, insomnia—creep in. Emotionally, you’re irritable, snapping at trivial things. Motivation plummets; procrastination becomes routine. Soon, you’re mindlessly scrolling social media, trapped in a cycle that lowers productivity—the very thing you were overworking to protect.
If this sounds like you, it’s not failure. It’s a signal: Your life needs redesigning.
Practical Strategies for Indian Professionals
1. Reset Work Boundaries
Burnout begins with blurred lines between work and life. Reclaim control:
Assess your actual job requirements—not imaginary ones.
Learn to say “No” politely. Draft scripts if needed. Example:
“I’d love to help, but my current priorities won’t let me give this the attention it deserves.”Involve your manager or a career counselor if workload feels unsustainable.
2. Ditch Perfection, Embrace “Good Enough”
Aiming for 100% in everything drains energy. Instead, strive for consistent 80% delivery.
Mantra: “Done well is better than perfect if perfection burns you out.”
3. Tech Detox
Your phone isn’t family. Designate screen-free hours—especially during meals or family time.
Time Management for Sustainable Productivity
1. Pomodoro + Chai Breaks
Work in focused 25-minute bursts (Pomodoro technique), then reward yourself with a 5-minute chai break. It’s science-backed and culturally fitting.
2. Batch Tasks, Protect Mental Energy
Stop multitasking. Switching between tasks slashes productivity by 40%.
Group similar tasks: Mornings for deep work, afternoons for meetings.
Schedule email checks 2–3 times/day (unless your role demands real-time responses).
3. Sacred Lunch Breaks
Eating at your desk harms digestion and mental clarity. Take 30 minutes away:
No screens. Just eat mindfully or take a short walk.
4. The 2-Minute Rule
If a task takes ≤2 minutes, do it now. For longer tasks, schedule them.
5. Plan Tomorrow, Tonight
Spend 5 minutes before logging off to:
Review the next day’s priorities.
Visualize your schedule. Avoid morning decision fatigue.
Emotional Wellbeing: It’s Not Selfish, It’s Essential
In India, prioritizing mental health is often seen as indulgence. It’s not.
Leisure ≠ Laziness. Reading, gardening, or even napping boost creativity.
Model boundaries for kids. No emails during family dinners. Show them self-care matters.
Try Micro-Meditation. Just 5 minutes (use free apps like Medito) can cut stress hormones by 30%.
Takeaways: Redefine Success Beyond Burnout
Balance is non-negotiable. Self-care isn’t selfish—it’s the bedrock of success.
Small shifts compound. Tiny habits (Pomodoro, tech detox) create big change.
Perfect is overrated. Consistency beats occasional perfection.
If work drains joy, reset. Say no. Delegate. Protect your time.
Define success your way. Is it a promotion at all costs? Or thriving at work and home? You choose.
Final Thought
A career that costs your wellbeing defeats its purpose. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor—it’s a warning. Listen to it.
