Embarking on my UX bootcamp journey with Designlab last July, I was brimming with enthusiasm. Armed with noble ambitions to push myself beyond limits, I planned to dedicate 20 extra hours each week in addition to my demanding full-time job. The bootcamp promised a full refund if you couldn’t land a job within six months post-graduation, provided certain stringent conditions were met. Naively, I believed that this promise, along with my burning desire to succeed, would be enough to motivate me to keep up with what I knew would be a massive challenge to my grit and endurance.
Initially, I maintained this grueling schedule. Early mornings were spent on readings and projects, followed by an eight-hour workday and evenings devoted to the bootcamp. I even took on a part-time UX volunteer role, so desperate was I to “make it” and “do everything right.” As you can imagine, the relentless workload took its toll. Anxiety loomed each night as I transitioned from my work laptop to my personal one, accumulating over 12 hours in front of the computer on weekdays. Even weekends were not spared, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and desperate for relief.
Realization struck when, after finishing my first project, I just… couldn’t continue. I disappeared, taking an unsanctioned month-long break in December because I just couldn’t bear to open my laptop one more time. Even when I mustered the strength to resume in January, I found myself unable to sustain the previous pace, and that’s when I realized something critical for my later success.
Not all time is created equal. Some activities give us a boost, while others deplete our energy. It’s on us to strike a balance and manage our internal batteries wisely.
The Burnout Equation: High expectations + Low control = Burnout
The burnout equation encapsulates the risk of burnout when high performance expectations clash with insufficient resources or support. In my case, the drive to meet bootcamp timelines and my personal output standards collided with constraints on time and energy, leading to burnout. If I could go back and give the me of one year ago some advice, this would be it.
1. Manage Your Energy, Not Your Time
External commitments alone can’t tell you how “busy” you are. Consider all aspects of life: friendships, family, physical and mental health. Recognize tasks that energize or drain you and distribute them strategically. Realism is key; unrealistic targets lead to constant frustration.
2. Take Control of Your Pace
Challenge bootcamp schedules. Set your pace, engage deeply in each topic, and conduct supplemental research. Work with real clients to experience uncontrolled UX environments early on. Remember, bootcamps prioritize revenue; you must defend your time and sanity.
3. Develop a System Early
Use tools like Google Calendar and Notion to plan and schedule realistically. Find a flexible system allowing easy adjustments. A matrix prioritizing tasks based on energy requirements and impact can help maintain balance.
4. Embrace Realism and Prioritize Tasks
Acknowledge that your career is a marathon, not a sprint, and bootcamp is just the training, not the race itself. Consider the energy requirements of tasks and prioritize accordingly to ensure that you’ll be able to keep going for miles to come.
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In the end, nailing a UX bootcamp means balancing high standards with your own well-being. It’s not just about finishing; it’s about staying sane and soaking up as much as you can while setting yourself up for a killer career in UX design.
