I’ve been getting a lot of outreach recently from MSLs about feeling burned out. The metrics and travel are killing them. But let’s get real for a minute, if you’re feeling burned out, it’s your fault. Burnout isn’t just about the workload or travel, it’s about how you’re managing yourself. Or, more accurately, how you’re **not** managing yourself. Here are five harsh realities why you’re burning out in Medical Affairs and how to fix them.

Reality 1: Your Schedule is a Mess

You meticulously plan for KOL meetings and scientific conferences, but when it comes to your own well-being, it’s complete chaos. If your calendar is a disorganized mess of meetings, travel, and tasks, it’s no wonder you’re feeling burned out.

Fix: Schedule Fun First

Yes, you read that right. Fun. If you don’t plan enjoyable activities, they won’t happen. Treat them as non-negotiable as your KOL meetings. Get more tips in this article on how to schedule and prioritize fun.

When planning for your week (like described in this article on developing a weekly reset habit), ALWAYS schedule the things that recharge your batteries first. For me, the first thing that goes on my calendar when planning my week are yoga classes, strength training sessions, and hikes/runs. I feel so much better and am more productive when I prioritize exercise. What are the activities that charge your batteries? Share with me!

Last suggestion, schedule reasonable travel. If short connections, stress you out, don’t book those flights. Give yourself ample time between meetings to regroup. Small things like this make travel so much more enjoyable!

Reality 2: You Never Take Breaks

You wouldn’t skip a meeting with a top KOL, so why skip breaks that help keep your energy high? As counterintuitive as it seems, short, frequent breaks boost productivity and keep your mind sharp. Without them, your brain turns to mush, and your productivity plummets. When I need a break and feel really tired, it feels like a heavy blanket is on my brain. Everything is slow and sluggish. What are the signs that you need a break?

Fix: Prioritize Breaks

Breaks are not a luxury; they are a necessity. Schedule breaks as you would any important meeting. When planning your week schedule in breaks as well. What’s been working for me recently is planning multiple breaks daily. This way I usually take at least one of them. 

Reality 3: You Don’t Have a Hobby

You dedicate time to reading new publications in your TA, but what about dedicating time to a hobby? A hobby is a form of active rest that can help rejuvenate your mind and body. Your hobby should be an activity that engages your brain in a different way than your work does. It should be something that you find enjoyable and absorbing, yet unrelated to your professional responsibilities.

Fix: Get a Hobby

It doesn’t matter what the hobby is. Find something that works for you and make time for it. My favorite type of active break right now is swimming and cleaning the crud out of my pool. I systematically skim the pool to get leaves out. It’s so relaxing! And the pool looks great afterward. The idea is to do something that is a form of active rest and helps your brain rejuvenate.

Reality 4: You Are Approaching Metrics Wrong

Many MSLs are on teams with a lot of metrics, like the number of insights gathered or the number of KOL meetings held. The heavy emphasis on meeting metrics can lead to frustration and burnout.

Fix: Reframe Your Approach to Metrics

Instead of dreading metrics, change how you approach them. Take a neutral view of metrics and use them to guide your activities. Don’t waste your energy fighting them. Get a system in place to ensure that you meet them.

With a system in place, it becomes a thing you do to be a good MSL/Medical Affairs person and helps you stick out as good at your job. This article on setting up your month for maximum impact helps align your goals with the metrics. That way you feel more in control. The MSL Impact Bundle is also a great tool for this.

Reality 5: You Don’t Have Boundaries

Does your company, manager, or team dump a lot of stuff on you? And you don’t know how to say no? This is 100% contributing to your burnout. There will always be more work than you can humanly complete. Recognizing this and knowing how to set limits will help prevent burnout.

Fix: Say No

Master the art of saying no: Overcommitting is a fast track to burnout. Learn to say no to tasks that don’t align with your priorities. If the ask doesn’t directly align with your goals, say no to it. Another important aspect is setting boundaries and sticking to them. Learn a simple 2 step system for sticking to your boundaries here.

The always-on mentality that dominates our work world affects your ability to set boundaries. A good example of this is with your phone. Check out the smartphone habits described in this article to see if you may have boundary issues with your phone.