Burnt Out

Burnt Out to Building a Business

The Story of Tom

Tom sat at his desk, staring blankly at the blinking cursor on his computer screen. It was Monday morning, and already the weight of the week ahead crushed him. “I hate my job,” he muttered to himself, not for the first time. It wasn’t just today’s tasks; it was the endless cycle of meetings, deadlines, and the constant pressure to perform. He felt numb, a deep pit of dread lodged in his stomach. This time was different. Tom realized he wasn’t just frustrated with his job — he was burnt out.

man at computorTom realized he was burnt out.

Realizing The Depth of Burnout

Tom had been ignoring the signs for months. He was always exhausted, even after a full night’s sleep. His temper was short, and the smallest frustrations at work — an unresponsive email, a rescheduled meeting — would send him spiralling into irritation. Outside of work, things weren’t much better. He was distant with his wife, absent with his kids, and couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed an evening with friends.

Weekends? Well, weekends had become but pauses in a never-ending grind. 

Sunday nights were the worst. Sunday nights filled him with anxiety, a heavy sense of doom about the week to come. 

His job was once a source of pride, and now felt like a prison. No matter how hard he worked, and how many hours he put in, nothing ever seemed to get better. His energy was zapped. His whole being was burnt out.

The company’s goals always shifted, and the recognition he sought remained just out of reach.

Knowing When It’s Time to Quit

That morning, sitting at his desk, Tom came to a stark realization: it was time to quit.

It was not an impulsive decision. Tom had spent months grappling with the guilt of wanting to leave. “Who just quits their job?” he’d think to himself. But the more he read, the more he realized that staying in a job he hated was no longer an option.

His physical health was deteriorating — constant headaches, backaches, and an ever-present tension in his neck. Mentally, he was checked out. The stress was so consuming that he found it impossible to focus.

An unhappy manTom's work life was bleeding into everything, leaving him feeling like a shadow of himself.

Tom had heard the stories of people burnt out, pushing through only to suffer severe breakdowns. He didn’t want to become one of them. He knew something had to change — not just for his own sake, but for his family. His work life was bleeding into everything, leaving him feeling like a shadow of himself.

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Creating a Plan for Change

Quitting wasn’t just about walking away; it was about reclaiming control. Tom decided he wouldn’t rush. He’d take his time, create a plan, and use this ‘burnt out’ situation as fuel for something new. But first, he needed to heal.

Tom set two clear goals. First, he would give himself time to get his mind and body right. Second, he would use this experience to do something he had always dreamed of: finally start his own business.

The first step was simple: he needed space. He scheduled a meeting with his boss, fully prepared to hand in his resignation. But he decided to request a leave of absence instead, knowing he needed time to think clearly before making any major decisions.

During his break, Tom immersed himself in self-care.

man walking in the parkDaily walks and getting out into nature regain your mental well-being.

He started small — daily walks, stretching, and regular visits to the gym.

bar sceneReconnected with old friends

He also reconnected with old friends and started having deeper conversations with his wife, explaining what he had been going through. She had noticed his decline but hadn’t realized just how severe things had become.

couple drinking coffeeHaving deeper conversations with your wife and explaining what has been happening.

With the weight of his job lifted, Tom could finally breathe. He read books about the modern-day phenomena of being burnt out, explored mindfulness practices, and focused on rebuilding his mental strength. It took weeks before he began to feel like himself again, but slowly, he found the clarity he needed.

man jumping out of bed with a huge smile on his faceIt took awhile before Tom regained his old self and felt much better about the future.

From Burnt Out to Building His Own Business

Once Tom’s mind and body felt stronger, he shifted focus to the second part of his plan: starting his own business. 

He had always wanted to have his own business, but had been too afraid to leap. Now, having gone through burnout, the idea of staying at a job that no longer fulfilled him felt far scarier than striking out on his own.

He began brainstorming business ideas. Reflecting on his corporate job, he identified market gaps and customer service needs. He knew he had the experience, and now, after stepping back, he had the clarity and creativity to bring his vision to life.

supportive partnerBrainstorming and creating a plan for the future.

Tom set realistic goals. He knew that building a business wouldn’t be easy, and he didn’t expect overnight success.

man jumping out of bedLife looked dramatically different. He was in the best shape — mentally and physically — that he had been in for years.

Instead, he focused on making steady progress. He saved money, downsized his lifestyle, and began mapping out a step-by-step plan for his startup. More importantly, he set clear boundaries to protect his mental health.

The Road Ahead

A year after Tom’s realization, his life looked dramatically different. He was in the best shape — mentally and physically — that he had been in for years. He had engaged a mentor to guide him in his business, though still in its early stages, he was gaining traction. 

happy man at deskHe was no longer just surviving the daily grind. He had regained control of his life. It all started with acknowledging the burnout.

He was doing work that he believed in things he had always wished for in his old job, solving genuine problems, and creating a great culture in his team. 

He was no longer just surviving the daily grind. He had regained control of his life. It all started with acknowledging the burnout, knowing when it was time to quit, and having the courage to take action and create a business.

toxic work enviromentMany people are burnt out and feel trapped, unsure of what steps to take next. The key is recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps. For Tom, burnout was the push he needed to transform his life

Tom’s story isn’t unique. Many people are burnt out and feel trapped, unsure of what steps to take next. 

The key is recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps. For Tom, burnout was the push he needed to transform his life and finally pursue the dream he had always put on hold.

If you’ve ever thought, “I hate my job,” or fantasized about quitting, you’re not alone. Experiencing a feeling of being burnt out is real, and knowing when it’s time to quit can be the most important decision you make for your well-being. Starting your own business or changing careers might seem daunting, but with a plan, patience, and self-care, it’s possible to turn ‘burnt out’ to the beginning of something incredible.

Tom’s journey from burnt out to business owner is proof. Walking away isn’t failure — it’s the first step towards creating a life where you’re in control. 

running-cloudy-day.jpgWhen you're feeling stressed or burnt out get out and go for a run. Breathe. Feel the air.

If you’re feeling stuck, stressed, or burnt out, take that as your sign to step back, reflect, and start planning for a future where you call the shots.

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Summary

Burnt out isn’t just about feeling tired or stressed. It’s a wake-up call that something needs to change. 

Whether it’s a shift in mindset, a new job, or starting your own business, listen to your body and take action before it’s too late. 

Tom’s story is a reminder we have the power to change our lives. 

It starts with knowing when to quit and having the courage to begin.

Tom is not real. 

This is fiction. 

Tom could be me. 

Tom could be someone you know someone you love. 

Tom could be you.

Go. Think. Live. Life is short. 

Make a difference.  

Experience isn't the best teacher, experience is the only teacher.

cliff climber

Confidence comes from experience

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