Feeling the end of year brain fry? Of course you are. Burnout isn’t just knocking; it’s kicking down the door, setting up shop, and telling you to quit while you’re ahead. But here’s the thing, burnout’s not the boss of you. It’s just a flashing sign that it’s time to recalibrate, flip the script, and maybe even embrace a little chaos to find your groove again as you head into the New Year.
As we drag ourselves through the end-of-year slog, the exhaustion feels real. But you know what else is real? The thrill of flipping that calendar to January and thinking, "Alright, let’s mess some stuff up and make next year count."
Let’s be blunt. If you don’t know why you’re grinding, you might as well quit now. But before you pack it in, ask yourself:
Why did I even start this madness?
What gets me hyped about the impact I can have?
Sometimes, you’ve got to claw your way back to that spark. Case in point: I’ve been on the board at GiGi's Playhouse Tinley Park for five years, and those participants mean everything to me. But this past year’s gala? Total burnout. I was ready to ghost the whole thing, I didn’t of course. Then came the night itself—new parents of children with Down syndrome beaming because they finally connected with other parents who "get it," participants tearing up the dance floor like it’s their life’s mission. That’s my why. For them. For their chance to thrive. Mic drop.
If you keep doing the same thing, expecting different results… well, you know the saying. Tear it up:
Break Your Process: Ditch the “we’ve always done it this way” nonsense. Try new tools. New strategies. Go rogue.
Bring in Wild Cards: Fresh blood equals fresh perspective. Collaborators who don’t even know the rules you’re stuck following? Even better.
At Geletka+, I’ve made workshopping my playground. The best ideas don’t just come from the usual suspects. Throw in a random contributor, invite the client to the table, and watch the magic unfold. It’s chaotic, it’s raw, and it works. Clients leave feeling like co-creators, and you’ve got a stake in building something badass together.
Stuck? Go somewhere that slaps some sense into your monotony:
Walk the Aisles: For a redesign project, my team and I hit the stores—together or solo—to scope out what other categories were doing. Those excursions? Game changers. Suddenly, pushing back on vendors or co-packers who balk at innovation felt easier. Constraints? They’re just a challenge to beat.
Go Goth with It: Need a dose of drama? Hit a moody coffee shop, a dimly lit bar, or anyplace that feels a little dark and mysterious. Sometimes, embracing the shadows sparks the brightest ideas.
Take It Outside: Nature’s not just for hippies. Walks in the cold air can slap you awake faster than another espresso. Bonus points for black boots crunching through snow.
Here’s the truth: Burnout’s not here to ruin you. It’s here to push you. To dare you. So, recalibrate. Tear up the rules. Do it your way. The journey might not be smooth, but who wants smooth? That’s boring.
Let’s storm into the new year ready to throw some sparks, some chaos, light some fires, and leave burnout in the dust, at least for now.