Is “burnout” the price we’re paying to have a career in Product Management?

Posted in:Product Women of Color Mental Health Health & Wellness Management and Leadership Tech Career Growth

"Bosky, you need to rest or else you may not live for your son's birthday in 3 months".

I just wanted to share this deeply personal story with anyone in product role or tech in general.

In 2016, I was burnt out, with severe anxiety and PTSD. I couldn't take a day off without overthinking.

When my BP shot up to 145/95, and my son asked me: "Mom, why did you stop loving me?" 💔This was my wake-up call. I was losing myself & my life to burnout.

After talking with more than 500 PMs, I realized I wasn't the only one.Every product manager shares the struggle of maintaining good mental health.Is “burnout” the price we’re paying to have a career in Product Management?Product management IS an extreme job — with its intense workload and routine high-stakes decision-making.If you resonate with my story, I urge you to reflect and take control. Here are 5 ways I have found to be helpful:

1. When a problem emerges, you can reduce stress by reframing it as a chance for you to develop a new skill.

Since most of product management is responding to external problems, taking them as challenges gamifies the process — instead of stressing you out.

2. You are not just your work. Leave your "work" identity at work and disconnect from it at a set time every day. Setting this strong boundary with yourself keeps burnout at bay.

3. Celebrate small wins. Every workout, every page of a book read, or every fun puzzle solved counts!

Find ways to pat yourself on the back outside of work, so you don't attach your value to work.

4. Schedule "Thinking Time" so you're not doing it 24/7.

Giving it a space in your calendar — just as you do for meetings, tasks & urgent requests — frees mental space up.

Bonus: Eat the frog! Start your day by doing the most challenging task. You will feel good knowing it’s done and avoid carrying the stress throughout the day.

Part of me wishes somebody had given me these tips 5 years back, so I'd have prevented burnout. But you learn as you go (and grow) through it! I’m writing this post now because it’s crucial to start the new year on the right foot. While this is a time for being ambitious, let’s ensure we are not compromising ourselves in the process.

Remember: Product is an intense field, but taking charge of your life and setting boundaries isn't totally out of your control.Burnout shouldn't be the price you pay to be a product manager.

MichelleFuentes·Jan 18

Thanks so much for sharing such a personal experience, Bosky💛 I'm sure this will resonate with lots of elphas here! "When a problem emerges, you can reduce stress by reframing it as a chance for you to develop a new skill" >> love this perspective! Honestly all of this tips you shared are great - I find a lot of value in them as a non-PM, although I'm sure PMs will find this especially valuable knowing what they're feeling isn't uncommon!!

Iynna·Jan 18

Thank you for sharing your story and such important reminders! All resonated but #2 and #3 in particular. You are not just your work. Leave your "work" identity at work and disconnect from it - so how do you do this? And if you work from home, how do you ensure you don't let it permeate all aspects of your life? Celebrate small wins. Every workout, every page of a book read, or every fun puzzle solved counts! -- I wholeheartedly agree with this BUT I am always wrestling with the idea of settling for the basic. With the example of a workout, if it's a habit and something I do and enjoy, by feeling content that I did it, am I now just complacent? How do you ensure you keep pushing yourself and keep being the best of yourself while celebrating the small wins but without compromising your desire to be excellent?

BoskyMukherjee·Jan 19

This is so interesting - the line between confidence and humility is so fine. I am still figuring this out - but one thing I do is really be clear on my non-negotiables + what drains my energy in everything I do. And I started reducing some of those that drain me. Re: celebrating my wins, I like to acknowledge and journal my wins - big or small. I am grateful that I have a few close friends who will champion me. But I also like to have this folder in my laptop where I take screenshots of small wins. Writing them down helps me process them.

amyfink·Jan 18

Thank you for sharing your story. I am not a product manager, instead a project manager with a lot of overlap on the product side (and about 6 other roles at the same time). Your story really hits home. I am trying to transition to UX design so that I can get away from the project management and save my brain, but it's tough in the current state of things... the thought of having to take another project manager job just to make $$ fills me with dread. I appreciate your advice on how to survive it.

BoskyMukherjee·Jan 19

I am so glad that you are looking at your career holistically @amyfink