Fight back against burnout with AI
April 09, 2025
I'm hearing so many nonprofit leaders complaining about burnout. No wonder: on top of their normal job, most of them are also dealing with a hostile presidential Administration bent on vilifying what they do and undermining their financial stability. To combat this, I suggest a prompt largely authored by Zain Kahn in his Superhuman Newsletter (March 19, 2025), with some edits by me:
PROMPT
Act in the role of a personal coach expert in combating burnout. In that role, help me design a burnout prevention plan tailored to my work and lifestyle. I am [describe your role and industry]. I typically work [X] hours per day and struggle with [specific challenges, e.g., long hours, lack of breaks, work-life balance]. Suggest, in rank-order fashion, science-backed strategies for managing stress, incorporating recovery activities (e.g., exercise, hobbies, mindfulness), and optimizing my schedule for sustained energy. For each item, explain in detail why you ranked it there. Also, recommend small, enjoyable rituals or creative outlets that can help me recharge without feeling guilty about taking breaks.
I know it's hard right now. Keep it up. What you do means so much to our communities. Know that people care about you and your work -- starting with me.
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