Diagnosing Burnout vs. Bad Fit
Burnout and bad fit feel similar but require opposite responses. Here's how to tell the difference.
The Vacation Test
After two weeks away from work, how do you feel?- If you dread returning: Could be either burnout or bad fit
- If you feel recharged but anxious: More likely burnout
- If you feel nothing—no dread, no excitement: Likely bad fit
The Role Swap Thought Experiment
Imagine doing your exact job at a different company, with a different team. Does the thought excite you or exhaust you?- Excited: You're burned out from the environment, not the work
- Exhausted: The role itself may be wrong for you
The Three Pillars Check
Sustainable work requires three things: autonomy, competence, and connection. Score each 1-10 in your current role.- All below 5: Structural problem—likely need to leave
- One below 5: Targeted fix possible
- All above 7 but still exhausted: Classic burnout—needs recovery, not escape
Recovery vs. Exit
Burnout requires rest before making major decisions. Bad fit requires clarity, not rest. Don't confuse the two.
What This Looks Like in Practice
The Scenario: Marcus, a Director of Product at a mid-size SaaS company, was passed over for VP despite delivering strong results. His manager's feedback was vague: "You're not quite ready." He was torn between pushing harder, looking elsewhere, or accepting that maybe he wasn't VP material.
What He Did: Instead of spiraling, Marcus got specific:
- He asked for concrete examples of what "VP-ready" looked like at his company
- He talked to three people who had been promoted to VP recently—inside and outside his company
- He assessed honestly whether the gap was real or political
The Outcome: The diagnosis revealed two things. First, his company had a pattern of promoting people who were highly visible to the CEO—which Marcus wasn't. Second, the specific feedback about "strategic thinking" was valid but actionable.
Marcus decided to address the skill gap while also broadening his external options. He found a VP role at a smaller company within six months, where his operational strengths were valued more than political visibility.
The Lesson: "You're not ready" is rarely the full story. Dig deeper to find out what's actually being said—and whether it's worth addressing there or somewhere else.
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What You'll Walk Away With
Our structured session produces concrete artifacts, not just conversation.
Decision Snapshot A clear-eyed assessment of your current situation—what's true, what's not, and what actually matters for your decision.
Fork Recommendation A specific direction (stay, go, or pivot) with the reasoning behind it, so you understand not just what to do but why.
Risk Map Everything that could go wrong with your chosen path, and how to mitigate each risk before it materializes.
Conversation Scripts Exact language for the hard conversations you need to have—with your boss, your partner, recruiters, or anyone else.
14-Day Action Plan The specific steps to take immediately after our session, so momentum doesn't stall.
30-Day Roadmap The longer-term plan for executing your decision, with milestones and check-in points.
These aren't templates—they're customized to your specific situation, role, and constraints.
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Ready for Personalized Guidance?
Every situation is different. If you want help thinking through yours—with someone who's seen hundreds of similar cases—consider working with a coach.
What you get:- A structured conversation to clarify your situation
- Frameworks tailored to your specific circumstances
- Scripts you can actually use
- A clear action plan