• Blog
  • Archives
  • Bio
  • Awards
  • Speaking
  • Book
  • Contact

Burnout

Published: Friday, 28 October 2022

I think that burnout happens when you set a goal, you work really, really hard to achieve the goal, and then the deadline comes and you haven’t achieved your goal.

Burnout happens to me sometimes. I set a deadline, I set a goal, and I work really, really hard. The deadline comes and goes. I think - I’m nearly there; I’m so close, just 10% to go; just these few tasks to go - just keep pushing forwards at the same velocity and you’ll reach those goals.

But it all feels untethered, like I’m not really doing what I’m supposed to be doing. Sometimes I push through and achieve the goal (if it’s linked to an external date that I can’t push). Other times, most often, after a few weeks, I realize I’m not being productive, that I need to recalibrate - forgive myself for the goals not reached, and set new goals taking all my other priorities into consideration. After missing a goal or milestone, when I take time out to recalibrate and take stock, I am only then able to return to my work with renewed energy, enthusiasm and vigour.

About Me

Marita ChengForbes named me a world's top 50 woman in tech & 30 Under 30. I founded Robogals and Aipoly and was Young Australian of the Year 2012. Currently working on robotics company Aubot. I'm the youngest Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and I give speeches around the world.

I tweet @maritacheng and I'm on Facebook.

Subscribe

Enter your email address to receive my latest blog posts: 

 

Random Articles

  • Don't kid yourself on your priorities

    What are your priorities?  Work?  Family?  Relationship?  Start-up?  9-5?  Non-profit?  Volunteering?  Watching television?  Reading blogs?  Eating?  Meetings? Don't...

  • Why I wear odd socks

    Whenever I go and collect my laundry from the laundry room and have to go back out into the hallway for my second load or to go to the toilet, I...

  • GEDC Diversity Award

    I was awarded the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) Diversity Award for my work with Robogals.  It was sponsored by Airbus.  Here is a photo of...

  • Nexus Impact Accelerator Fellow

    I spent the last few days of February in Washington DC attending the Nexus Global Summit as a Nexus Impact Accelerator Fellow. NEXUS is a global...

  • Are you a knowledge junkie?

    Knowledge junkies are people who love to learn and accrue knowldge.  They’ve read all the books, registered to all the web communities, heard of all...

  • Member of the Order of Australia (AM)

    To my great surprise, I was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) this year, announced on the Queen’s Birthday Weekend. This means I now...

  • My lockdown life

    Lockdown is certainly a change of pace for me. I used to fly around the world twice a month! Now I’m stuck inside my 768 sq ft apartment for months...

  • Lifetime goals

    Don't be scared of achieving your lifetime goals.  You can always make up new goals after you've achieved these.

  • 1 day = 2

    When I was planning the first UK SINE, for about a month, I split each day into two.  I would get up in the morning, and do all the actions needed to...

  • Live at Shell Eco-Marathon Asia

    It's been full-on in Malaysia at Shell Eco-Marathon Asia. The most exciting thing has been tracking our Australian entrant, Girton Grammar Team...

Enter your email address to receive my latest blog posts: 

 

Scroll to Top