Career Burnout: 5 Ways to Find Purpose and Energy

Career burnout seems to be reaching epidemic proportions. According to Deloitte’s global survey, 77% of employees have experienced burnout in their current role, and 91% said unmanageable stress or frustration has negatively impacted their work quality.

Burnout shows up in many ways - through “quiet quitting,” feeling flat and unmotivated, or struggling with anxiety and stress.

Sometimes it’s caused by working too hard, a lack of self-care, or simply being unable to switch off. But often the deeper cause is a lack of meaning and purpose in what we do - or a growing sense that our career no longer excites or inspires us.

This article shares five ways to rediscover your sense of purpose and energy - and break out of career burnout for good.

1. Who Are You?

Career burnout starts when you lose connection with yourself

Who are you really? Do you know for sure?

When you’re stretched out of shape - working hard just to pay the bills, or trying to prove that you’re “a success” - over time this can quietly erode your confidence and energy.

Reconnecting with who you truly are is the first step.

When you begin to answer the question “Who is the real me?”, you start finding your way back to clarity, strength, and direction.

2. What Do You Value?

Aligning your values helps protect you from career burnout

Getting clear on your values isn’t always easy, but it’s absolutely key.

Do you crave harmony and connection in your day-to-day environment?
Or do you thrive on stimulation, change, and growth - but find yourself stuck in a slow-paced office?

Spotting these value mismatches is the second piece of the puzzle. Once you do, you can start to close the gap between what you care about and how you’re spending your time.

(Learn more about how to find your core values at work (external link).)

3. What Are Your Natural Strengths?

Use your strengths to overcome career burnout

Everyone talks about “following your passion,” but it’s playing to your natural strengths that makes work feel effortless and energising. When you use your innate strengths, you not only perform better - you feel better too.

Do you really know what you’re naturally good at?

Not just what you’ve learned to do competently, but what genuinely comes alive in you when you do it?

Getting clarity on the strengths you want to use more of will go a long way towards beating burnout.

(For further reading see: How to choose a burnout coach)

4. What Energises You?

Find what fuels you to move beyond burnout

This is about noticing the moments that make you feel most alive.
What kinds of activities, people, or environments lift your energy - and which ones drain it?

Energy is one of the most reliable signals we have. When you start following what energises you (and dial down what doesn’t), your sense of purpose naturally begins to return.

(You might also enjoy this post on how to overcome lack of motivation to work for more insights.)

5. Moving Towards a Better Fit

Take small, intentional steps away from career burnout

Once you’ve explored the first four questions, you’ll be in a strong position.
This stage is not as hard as you might think - and it’s where change really begins.

Now it’s time to start moving towards something that’s a better fit for you.

How to do this:

• Brainstorm – dare to dream about what’s possible.
  

• Assess – experiment, test ideas, and see what feels right.
  

• Plan – create small, achievable steps.
  

• Act – take consistent, purposeful action.
  

It doesn’t need to be a dramatic leap - small, aligned moves can completely transform your energy and outlook over time.

(For further reading see: Career change advice - Does it pay to be bold?)

Final Thought

Burnout isn’t just about exhaustion - it’s a signal that something deeper needs attention.

By reconnecting with who you are, what you value, and where your true energy lies, you can move from just surviving to feeling alive again - and to rediscover work that feels meaningful again.

Want help navigating career burnout?

Book a free Discovery Call to understand how I can help you overcome career burnout, and to find purpose and energy.

Author: Tim Storrie

-------------- About the Author: Tim Storrie

I'm an ICF-accredited career coach with an Oxbridge education, an MBA and a corporate background.

Drawing from my own mid-life experience of burnout and transition to a more fulfilling career - I help men over 40 with symptoms of burnout, and who are feeling lost and frustrated, to find a career that excites them by gaining clarity and confidence.

My coaching approach is both nurturing and challenging, and combines a structured, exercise-based approach with a focus on getting to the underlying heart of the matter.

Would you like to understand how career coaching can help you get clarity on a more fulfilling future?

Book a free Discovery Call at: https://www.timstorriecoaching.com/contact-me