Burned out or in the wrong job? How to tell the difference (and what to do about it)

A few years ago when I was still in Corporate, my boss asked me to record a training video on burnout.

Which is funny… because I was deeply burnt out at the time.

Like, eyes-glazed-over, brain-on-autopilot, soul-slowly-leaking-out-my-pores burnt out.

I kept recording the same intro over and over, but something was off.
My energy was flat.
My voice sounded like I’d been tranquilized.

And no matter how many takes I did, she kept giving the same feedback: “Can you try to sound a little more… alive?”

Finally, after the umpteenth attempt, she looked at me and asked:
“Wait. Are YOU burnt out?”

DING! DING! Yep.

I was also in a job I had outgrown.

I was exhausted, unmotivated, and questioning everything. But I wasn’t sure if the problem was me… or my work.

If you’ve been asking yourself the same question, you’re not alone.

Let’s talk about the difference between burnout and being in the wrong role - and how to tell which one you’re dealing with (or whether it’s both).

What is burnout, really? (and why smart people miss it)

Burnout isn’t just “being tired.”

It’s a full-body, full-mind shutdown. It’s when your energy is gone, your motivation is MIA, and even simple tasks feel like climbing Everest in flip-flops.

The problem? Most high-achievers miss the early signs or write them off as laziness.

Because when you're used to pushing through, burnout can feel sneaky. You might just think:

• “I need to get more organized.”

• “Once I finish this project, it’ll be better.”

• “Maybe I just need to meditate. Or meal prep. Or cry in the closet for 15 minutes.”

But burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s your body waving a giant red flag that says:
“Heyyyyyyy! This sh*t isn’t working.”

What does burnout feel like?

I’ll say it again: Burnout isn’t just “being tired.”

And burnout doesn’t always look like lying in bed and crying into a sleeve of Oreos (though, respect if that’s where you’re at).

For high-achievers, burnout often looks deceptively… functional. Which makes it easy to miss.

Here are some common signs you might be burnt out:

• You wake up tired, no matter how much sleep you got

• Your to-do list makes you want to light your laptop on fire

• You feel disconnected from your work, your relationships, or yourself

• You’re more irritable than usual (even small things feel like personal attacks)

• You secretly fantasize about getting the flu just so you can rest

• You used to be energized by your work and now you're just trying to make it to the weekend

If any of those hit a little too close to home? You’re not lazy. You’re not dramatic. You’re probably just fried.

But burnout might not be the only problem.

Sometimes, it’s not just that you’re doing too much…

It’s that you’re doing too much of the wrong thing.

Signs you’re in the wrong job

Not every bad day means you’re in the wrong career. But if every day feels like a slow soul drain, it might be more than just burnout.

Here’s what being in the wrong job often feels like:

• You’re good at it… but you kind of hate it.

• You dread Mondays. And Tuesdays. And honestly, most days that end in "y."

• You fantasize about quitting mid-meeting and opening a candle shop in the woods.

• You feel like you’re performing at work, not actually being yourself.

• You feel exhausted before the day even starts.

• You keep wondering, “Is this really it?”

The hardest part? On paper, everything might look fine.
You’ve got the title. The paycheck. Maybe even a decent boss and benefits.

But deep down, something feels off.
You’re not fulfilled.
You’re not challenged (or maybe you’re challenged in all the wrong ways - like trying not to lose your shit on people).
You’re not inspired.

And when your job isn’t aligned with who you are or what you care about? No amount of sleep, green smoothies, or self-care Sundays will fix it.

What if it’s…both? What if you’re burnt out AND in the wrong job?

Sometimes it’s not either/or.

You’re not just burnt out.
You’re also in the wrong role, at the wrong company, doing work that doesn’t light you up.

Which means:

• You’re tired and resentful.

• You’re drained and bored.

• You can’t tell if you need a nap, a sabbatical, or to start over as a barista in Italy.

This is where so many high-achievers get stuck.

You tell yourself:
“Maybe if I just take a vacation…”
“Maybe if I start a gratitude journal…”
“Maybe if I just try harder…”

But if your work is fundamentally out of alignment, no amount of rest will fix the dread you feel every Sunday night.

And if you’re deeply burnt out, it’s hard to even know whether the job is wrong. Because everything feels wrong when you’re running on empty.

So how do you know?

Burnout makes you feel tired, irritable, and emotionally flat.

Wrong-job-itis makes you feel stuck, unmotivated, and like your soul is slowly withering (but, like, in a professional way).

If you’ve got both going on?

You don’t need to hustle your way out. You need a reset and a rethink.

Because it’s not just about recovery. It’s about realignment.

How to tell if it’s burnout, the wrong job, or both (without having a full-on existential crisis) 

When everything feels heavy, it’s hard to know where to start. So here’s a quick cheat sheet to help you sort it out:

✅ It might be burnout if...

• You used to like your job, but now everything feels hard.

• You're emotionally fried, physically exhausted, and fantasizing about faking your own death so you can rest.

• You keep thinking, “If I could just catch up, I’d feel better.”

✅ It might be the wrong job if...

• Even when you’re well-rested, you still feel bored, annoyed, or resentful.

• You keep imagining other careers, but feel paralyzed to make a move.

• Your gut says, “This isn’t it,” but your brain says, “Be grateful.”

✅ It’s probably both if...

• You’ve taken breaks, set boundaries, gone to therapy… and still feel like your soul is slowly dying.

• You’re running on caffeine and resentment, dragging yourself through each day.

• You keep asking, “Is it me? Or the job?” And the answer might be: yes.

Here’s the good news:
You don’t have to figure it all out today.

But getting curious about the root cause is the first step toward building a career that actually fits.

You know - one that doesn’t just look good on paper, but feels good in real life.

You found the problem. Now what?

Okay, so maybe you’re dealing with burnout.
Or a misaligned role.
Or both.

This isn’t the part where I tell you to quit your job and start an alpaca farm (unless… that sounds amazing).
This is the part where you take one small step toward clarity.

What to do when you realize something has to change

1. Name the problem clearly
   Burnout? Wrong job? Both? You already did that. Boom! Huge first step. Now give yourself permission to stop pretending everything’s fine.

2. Get curious instead of overwhelmed
   You don’t need a 10-year plan. Just notice what’s draining you vs. what feels even slightly better. Track it. Trust it.

3. Stop waiting for a bolt of clarity
   You’re not going to think your way into the perfect answer. Start small. Try something. Pay attention to how it feels.

4. Talk to someone who gets it
   This part’s hard to untangle in your own head - especially when you’re exhausted and second-guessing everything.

Why this matters more than you think

Because the longer you stay stuck, the harder it gets to imagine anything different.

Because you deserve a career that energizes you instead of drains you.

Because the world doesn’t need more over-functioning, self-doubting, burnt-out rockstars.

It needs you. Clear, confident, and in the right role.

Ready for support? Let’s figure this out.

I help smart, successful, secretly-exhausted humans figure out what’s actually wrong and what to do about it.

Whether it’s burnout, a career pivot, or a full-on reinvention, you don’t have to untangle this alone.

Let’s get you unstuck, unburnt-out, and moving toward something that actually fits.

👉 Click here to learn more or book a consult

Keep reading: Other posts you might like

• Why am I so exhausted all the time? 5 sneaky reasons  It’s not just a lack of sleep. Here’s what might REALLY be draining you.

• Signs you need a new job…like, now.  If you’re constantly fantasizing about quitting, this one’s for you

• 8 signs of burnout you shouldn’t ignore.  Because pushing through might be making things worse

• Should I stay or go? How to make the career decision keeping you up at night. A practical guide for overthinkers who want clarity (without a pros/cons list)

Am I burnt out or in the wrong job? (FAQ’s Answered)

Q: How do I know if I’m in the wrong job or just burnt out?
If you’ve taken time off, tried meditating, and still dread Monday, it might be deeper than burnout. The wrong job often feels like friction at a values level, while burnout feels like a system overload. A coach can help you sort it out (hi, that’s me).

Q: What are the signs I’m burnt out and not just tired?
Burnout isn’t fixed by one good night of sleep. If you feel detached, snappy, numb, and like you’re just going through the motions (even with tasks you used to enjoy), that’s a red flag it’s burnout - not regular ole fatigue.

Q: Should I quit my job if I’m burnt out?
Not necessarily. Quitting can help if your job is the cause. But sometimes you’re bringing burnout with you. Before making a big leap, get clear on what’s actually going on and what needs to change (internally and externally).

Q: What if my job is what’s burning me out?
If your job is the source of your burnout, no amount of meditation, better sleep, or vacation time is going to fix it. You might feel like you're constantly putting out fires but never actually able to breathe. That’s a sign it’s not just you… it’s the environment. And while that doesn’t always mean you have to quit, it does mean something has to change - whether that’s boundaries, role adjustments, or a bigger transition.

Q: Which one should I fix first: burnout or my job?
Great question. And the answer isn’t always obvious. Sometimes burnout is caused by the job. Other times, the job might be fine, but you’re burned out from years of over-functioning, people-pleasing, or never taking a real break. If you’re not sure which one to tackle first, start by asking: Would I still feel this exhausted in a better job? If the answer is yes, focus on recovery. If the answer is no, it might be time to rethink your role.

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Hi! I’m Erica

Licensed psychotherapist. Corporate dropout. Wife to Brendan. Mom to twins + one. ADHDer. Slow runner. Coffee drinker. Swear words enthusiast.

I know exactly what it’s like to have a life that looks successful on the outside but feel chronically exhausted, frustrated, and completely lost on the inside.

I help underachieving high-achievers create lives and careers they love, without burning out.

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