Battling Bouts of Exhaustion After Bursts of Genius

Human resources professionals often find themselves riding waves of inspiration—those “bursts of genius” that lead to innovative solutions, streamlined processes, or impactful workplace initiatives. However, these high-energy moments can be followed by periods of exhaustion, leaving HR leaders feeling drained and less effective. Recognizing and addressing this cycle is crucial for long-term success and well-being. Here are several practical strategies to help HR professionals fight exhaustion and maintain their creative momentum.

Active Recovery

Any athletes reading this probably have heard of “active recovery.” This technique can also be used in the workplace. We cannot usually stop all work activities to recover. And, just like in sport, that would set us back anyway, creating more stress. After a period of intense mental output, try these workplace active recovery techniques.

• Include low-stress duties or projects in your daily calendar. Are there tasks that you like that take little energy to complete? Consider scheduling these after periods of intense work.
• Develop a calendar structure that allows for uninterrupted time to perform administrative duties, such as responding to email, checking in with employees, and/or colleagues.
• Periodically organize and declutter your workspace (including your digital workspace).
• Schedule working lunches. Find colleagues who have similar work demands, who can also benefit from stepping away, but not completely away, for a bite to eat.

Reflect on Your Achievements

Self-reflection via journaling works wonders for many outside of work. Use this tactic at work. For those who thrive on positive reinforcement, don’t wait for others to give it to you. For those who are modest, strong performers, don’t assume your efforts will be recognized. Large or small, reflect on your achievements.

• Consider logging your achievements in your performance management systems.
• Each month, reflect on your weekly achievements.
• Each year, reflect on your monthly achievements.

Set Realistic Expectations

Understand that creativity is cyclical, not constant. Avoid pressuring yourself to maintain peak performance at all times. Setting realistic goals and acknowledging your limits can reduce stress and help prevent burnout. 

Connect with Colleagues or Fly Solo

For most HR professionals, being social is an everyday demand. Do social activities bring your mood back to center? Or does social activity exhaust you? When it comes to self-care strategies, be okay with either and use that awareness to your advantage.

• Engage with a network of fellow HR professionals.
• Join workplace committees or project teams.
• Volunteer to travel to another worksite.
• Reserve a conference room to create a quiet space to work.
• After a large company meeting or event, schedule some solo activities.

Delegate and Automate

Don’t be afraid to delegate tasks or utilize technology to handle repetitive work. Freeing up time allows you to focus on strategic, creative endeavors and reduces the risk of exhaustion from juggling too many responsibilities.

Professional Development

Just like most athletes need a coach, a nutritionist, and a publicist, HR professionals can’t always successfully do what we do alone.

• Invest in ongoing learning and skill development.
• Attending workshops, webinars, or coaching sessions can not only inspire new bursts of genius but also teach resilience strategies for managing fatigue and sustaining high performance.
• Build diverse relationships, strengthening your reputation and increasing your sense of belonging and value.
• Lean on others for help.

Conclusion

By embracing these techniques, HR professionals can recharge after creative sprints (or marathons), maintain their passion, and continue making meaningful contributions to their organizations. Remember, sustainable genius comes from balancing inspiration with intentional active recovery.