Let’s face it—burnout isn’t just a buzzword tossed around during performance reviews or wellness webinars. It’s real, it’s creeping into every corner of the AEC (Architecture, Engineering, and Construction) industry, and yes, it’s silently stealing some of our best minds.
So, how do you know if you’re on the brink?
🔍 Signs of Burnout:
- You’re constantly drained, even after a full night’s sleep.
- The work you used to love feels pointless or irritating.
- You catch yourself zoning out mid-meeting (or worse, mid-design).
- You’ve got tension headaches, stomach flutters, or insomnia.
- You’re mentally checked out or snapping at coworkers.
- Your output is suffering—and deep down, you know it.
AEC-specific alert: Our industry runs on deadlines, demands, and the illusion that being “tough” means pushing through pain. Project managers juggling multiple clients, engineers who haven’t taken a vacation in two years, architects burning the midnight oil for revisions—that’s a burnout breeding ground.
What To Do (Before You Crash Like a Poorly Designed Cantilever):
- Take. The. Break. Your calendar can survive without you for a day or two.
- Talk to someone: your boss, HR, or a colleague who gets it.
- Reassess your workload. Can anything be delegated or paused?
- Make time for real rest—not just Netflix-and-scroll.
- Seek professional help. Therapy isn’t weakness—it’s a reset button.
What Not To Do:
- Don’t wear burnout like a badge of honor.
- Don’t isolate yourself. You’re not the only one feeling this.
- Don’t lean on caffeine, junk food, or denial.
- Don’t take on more if you’re already drowning.
- Don’t think this will magically fix itself. It won’t.
Let’s build a culture in AEC that values well-being as much as building codes. We know how to design for sustainability—let’s apply that same principle to ourselves.
SLC3 CALL TO ACTION!
📌 Use the infographic as a quick gut check—print it (and blog), pin it, or share them with your team.
