How do you survive a burnout

1st year analyst here, and I feel like I’m burning out way faster than I expected. My motivation is gone — I procrastinate over things I could finish instantly, and I’ve even been called out for being slow. I know I need to do better, but mentally I feel like I’m stuck in molasses.

Lack of sleep is making everything worse. I know I’d work better if I rested, but I can’t seem to break the cycle.

I don’t want to quit because the job market is brutal and I’m scared of having a gap on my resume. But staying feels miserable too, and I don’t know how to pull myself out of it.

If anyone has been here before — how did you get through it? How do you keep pushing when your mind and body feel done?

6 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Been in your shoes before. Burnout was a result of effectively only working every single weekday (and most weekends) for a year straight. I had essentially no life outside of work. Didn’t go to the gym, didn’t go out on weekends with my friends, etc.

I started prioritizing my mental and physical health outside of work. Hit the gym almost every day, slept right, etc. once I took care of that and got my life outside of work back in shape athe burnout I thought was from work completely disappeared

 

Burnout is a tough beast, but based on the most helpful WSO content, here’s how you can tackle it and regain control:

1. Prioritize Rest and Recovery

  • Lack of sleep is a vicious cycle. If you’re consistently running on fumes, your productivity and mental health will only worsen. Communicate with your team if you’re at a breaking point. A reasonable associate or VP will understand if you say, “I’ve been running on 5 hours of sleep for days, and I need 2 hours to recharge before continuing.” Most won’t hold it against you, and it’s better than delivering subpar work.

2. Take Small Breaks

  • Even during the busiest days, step away for 5-10 minutes. A quick walk or stretch can clear your head and improve focus. It’s not about slacking—it’s about maintaining efficiency.

3. Reassess Your Workflow

  • Analyze your daily schedule. Are there tasks you’re overcomplicating or wasting time on? Can you streamline processes or delegate non-essential work? Efficiency is key when hours are long.

4. Communicate Strategically

  • If you’re overwhelmed, don’t complain or ask for less work outright. Instead, approach a trusted senior with something like, “I’m struggling to balance everything right now. Can you help me prioritize or suggest ways to manage better?” This shows initiative and invites constructive feedback.

5. Find Small Wins

  • Focus on completing one task at a time. Celebrate small victories, even if it’s just finishing a model or responding to emails. These wins can help rebuild your confidence and momentum.

6. Remember the Temporary Nature of the Job

  • Most analysts leave after 2-3 years. This isn’t forever. Keep your eyes on the long-term benefits—exit opportunities, skills, and resilience you’re building.

7. Take a Personal Day if Needed

  • If you’re truly at your limit, consider taking a personal day. It’s better to step back briefly than to burn out completely. Use the time to rest, see friends, or do something that recharges you.

8. Reconnect with Your “Why”

  • Why did you take this job? Whether it’s for the exit opps, financial stability, or personal growth, remind yourself of the bigger picture. This can help reignite your motivation.

9. Build a Support System

  • Lean on friends, family, or even colleagues who understand the grind. Having people to vent to or seek advice from can make a huge difference.

10. Consider Long-Term Adjustments

  • If the burnout persists, think about your next steps. Corporate development, FP&A, or even business school are common exits with better work-life balance. It’s okay to pivot if this lifestyle isn’t sustainable for you.

Burnout is brutal, but it’s survivable. Take it one day at a time, focus on small improvements, and don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed. You’ve got this!

Sources: Analyst Burn Out Tips (Surviving COVID, WFH, and The Sweatiest of Shops), Please Help Me. IBD Analyst Burnt Out 3 Months In., Please Help Me. IBD Analyst Burnt Out 3 Months In., Burnt out second year analyst wondering what to do

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

still working through this exact issue (5+ YOE in banking), i think the simple solutions are taking time off (as possible understand it's harder to as a junior), manually blocking off some time for gym / health / just a break, better diet, less doom scrolling, etc. again much easier said than done and there's tremendous pressure some times but the more personal boundaries you can set (the world won't end if you block off 30 min on your cal to go on a walk) the more people will respect those. 

 

Dolores ab rem cum qui voluptas rerum voluptatum. Quidem similique fuga et. Saepe maxime sequi qui neque.

Saepe minima nihil deserunt temporibus facilis. Ad tempore consequatur sint aut qui. Nihil soluta nam ut dignissimos distinctio est provident. Est id consequuntur consequatur in quas sint beatae ea. Assumenda quas nihil ab laudantium sint sapiente. Omnis at reiciendis modi aut non.

Accusamus id laboriosam eius ullam eos. Omnis deleniti sint explicabo et. Earum dolore minima dolorem omnis rerum deleniti inventore. Sequi nam placeat expedita provident molestiae asperiores. Quo corrupti consectetur ea sed in molestiae. Perspiciatis eligendi quam rerum sed error. Tempore nostrum eum modi earum.

Qui quia velit omnis qui ea omnis ut. Earum distinctio maiores dolores laudantium dolor quia dolorem veritatis. Atque quas sint sunt in. Aut labore omnis aut voluptas perspiciatis et iure. Blanditiis quaerat delectus accusamus quia suscipit sint ea. Sint blanditiis fuga sunt incidunt voluptates quasi tenetur. Quibusdam nam cupiditate enim voluptates.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”