The Corporate-Safe Way to Say "I'm Toast"
Feeling crispy? Here's how to tell your boss before you burn it all down.
Look, we both know you're teetering on the edge. Not quite at the dramatic "I quit" email, but also... one "urgent" email away from screaming into the void. And you know what's funny? (Not ha-ha funny... more like, oh wow, capitalism is a nightmare funny.) People who burn out the hardest? They're the ones who look the most "together." The ones who get rewarded for saying, "Yes, I got it!" even when they absolutely do not got it. The ones who take on one more thing... and then one more thing... until suddenly, they're Googling: "How to tell my boss I'm dying inside without getting fired." Fair. We both know casually announcing, "Hey, I'm crispy-fried and one Slack ping away from launching myself into the sea," is not workplace appropriate. So, here's a corporate-friendly, non-threatening way to say you're burned out, without triggering a "let's loop HR into this" email chain. What NOT to Say❌ "I hate it here." (Honest? Maybe. Useful? No.) ❌ "I'm so tired I forgot my own middle name." (Now they're worried about you and their liability.) ❌ "This place is literally killing me." (HR is typing...) ❌ "If one more task lands on my plate, I'm going to flip the plate over and leave." (Relatable, but maybe too vivid.)
Let's, uh... corporate-ify it. Option 1: The Preemptive Strike"I'm noticing a shift in my energy and productivity, and I want to address it before it becomes a bigger issue. Can we talk about ways to adjust priorities?" You're catching it before you become a zombie, which makes you look proactive and self-aware. Option 2: The Quality Control Approach"I'm committed to delivering high-quality work, but I'm noticing my bandwidth is stretched thin. I'd love to talk about how to ensure the most important things get my best energy." You're not complaining. You're a dedicated professional who cares deeply about quality work (translation: you're not slacking, you're strategizing). Option 3: The Data-Driven Concern"I've been tracking my workload and noticing patterns that aren't sustainable. I'd like to discuss where adjustments could be made to keep everything on track." You have data (even if it's that you're doing the job of three people). This makes you sound objective instead of whiny. Option 4: The Team Player Card"I want to make sure I can continue contributing at a high level, and I'm realizing that my current workload is pushing my limits. Can we explore ways to redistribute some tasks to keep things sustainable?" You're still in it, but you're not about to go down with the ship. Option 5: The "Just Checking In" Move"I've been feeling stretched thin lately, and I'd love to get your perspective on how to best navigate my workload right now." Sometimes, bosses don't realize how overloaded you are until you force them to see it. This way, you're asking for guidance, not permission. What Happens Next?
Either way, you've said something. And that's better than white-knuckling your way through another 6 months of stress hives and emotional numbness. So, advocate for yourself. Ask for what you need. And if your company doesn't value that? At least now you know. If you want help figuring out what to say and how to say it without burning bridges (or your career), book a Career Reboot Strategy Session. We'll map out your next move. No flames necessary. 🔥 Take care, Tara P.S. If you've already mentally drafted your resignation letter, we should definitely talk. |
