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As digital marketers trying to keep up with clients, constant changes in technology, and life in general, how do we keep ourselves from burning out?Kathleen Garvin of The Penny Hoarder and Amanda Russell of Ghergich & Co. join former SEJ FeaturesEditor Danielle Antoszto share their insights on how to avoid burnout. Kathleen, Mandy, and Danielle also discuss how technology has affected the way we work and share tips and tools to disconnect.

Mandy:I think part of the big change, part of the switch thats happened in the past decade or so is that theres so little privacy with the internet and with social media. Not only do your employers know more of whats going on with your life but you know more of whats going on in your friends lives and you get that life ADHD a little bit,where youre like, Well, Im working this job but the grass looks greener over here. Maybe I need to try that out. I think that helps to propel us toward this burning out feeling where everybody else seems happier than you areor yourenot as successful or what have you. I know I look around a lot and I see my colleagues and my coworkers and theyre doing these amazing things, and I wonder if thats something I should be doing. AmI doing things correctly?

I would have loved to find a company where I could stay for 40 years and feel like Ive really made a contribution.Yet I do this job hopping thing because I keep thinking, The next step, the next step, the next one is going to be the right one. It keeps life interesting but I know, too, that employers look at it and theyre just, Well, how long are you going to stay with us? What should we expect from you?

Mandy:When I started working for Ghergich, it was a completely different ball game. Im working from home, I can do whatever. I can work in my pajamas, I can roll over, open my laptop, and answer emails while Im still in bed. That has been a freedom that I never knew was possible. It allowed me to take this opportunity and work remotely and Im not taking vacation time. I work 9 to 5 then I go out and explore and do things on the weekends.

That has been huge for me. Its only because of the internet and being connected, and my employers knowing that, If we need Mandy, we can just message her and its fine.It can be 8 p.m. but if we absolutely need her, shes there, even though shes in Mexico. You have to take the bad with the good. The bad is that, I see all my friends who are doing these amazing things and I want to be successful or, just like we said, grass is greener. But then, I get to follow my dream and my love of travel while still working and thats pretty freaking fantastic.

Kathleen:Sure, I think you hit the nail on the head about taking the good with the bad. I think you have to. The internet does give us so many possibilities to work remotely or work a completely internet-based job which is great and is something that I think our generation might be the first ones who fully take advantage of. I feel like its something you hear a lot more of, you see more people doing it.

Kathleen: In my work, in addition to email, we use Slack. Slack is pretty much the primary conversation driver and we try to email as little as possible. I think Slack is good but we also work in an open office space so you can go up and go over to the person to ask them a question which is great.

I dont thinkI really found any tools that help in terms of increasing my productivity. Its just been for me to know when to stop myself or maybe even just be alone with my thoughts. We are used to being in line now at the store. Anything else where your first reaction is to take out your phone and go on Instagram or something else, or text somebody, I try to be more mindful of that as well. I can be alone. I dont need to be on my phone and again, take a breather, take a break. I will say that I dont get any push notifications on my iPhone.

Mandy:Ive struggled a while with fear of missing out the FOMO phenomenon. Something thats helped me more so than apps or whatever else is forcing myself to just leave my phone somewhere.

There are a lot of apps out there that make it easier to communicate, whether its WhatsApp or Slack or Skype. Those help a lot but making sure that I really disconnect and teach myself not to worry about missing that amazing post. Its going to be okay, it really will be.

Kathleen:Exactly. Behavior modification, where you change the way you operate and you change the way people expect you to communicate with them. I think it alsodepends on your team. Do you have a boss who, no matter what, is going to expect you to answer your phone or be available at certain times of night when you should be off the clock?Thats difficult. But assuming you had control over your schedule,I think theresabsolutely nothing wrong with changing your habits, changing your behavior, and training people to let them know when they can communicate with you and that you are not dead if it takes you tenminutes to respond to their message.

Kathleen: Definitely take some time off. Even if you dont physically go anywhere, just have a mental health day. Use your time off wisely. Make sure you plan breaks for yourself. I was reading an article yesterday,it was an interview with Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx.She said that as soon as you can afford to, hire your weaknesses.Hiring a VA is smart andif you can afford to, definitely do that to offload work and help clear some space to help you relax a bit, prioritize, and put your energy towards things that matter.

Taketime off social media to give yourself a break and let yourself recharge. One app that everyone at work was talking about that I finally downloaded this weekend was the Calm app. Its guided meditation and sleep stories.All of these things rolled into one I think are important for personal happiness and career success.

Mandy:Just being honest with yourself and doing what you can to pinpoint exactly what is causing the burnout. Because I know for me, whenever Im having a bad week or I feel like I just dont want to work anymore, I dont feel like getting up for work. Whatever the case may be, theres generally one specific reason. Either I need a vacation or I hate doing this task and wish I could delegate it. Once Ive pinpointed it then I need to act on it to take care of it. To get it off my plate, to get it off my mind. If the burnout feeling is still there, then I need to see what else is going on.

Think you have what it takes to be a Marketing Nerd? If so,message Kelsey Joneson Twitter, or email her at kelsey[at] searchenginejournal.com.

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How to Avoid Digital Burnout [PODCAST] - Search Engine Journal