
7 Warning Signs You Need a Career Break (Before Burnout Takes Over)
Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee
Episode 71 - 7 Warning Signs You Need a Career Break (Before Burnout Takes Over)
Are you feeling burned out, emotionally drained, or questioning whether your career still fits the life you want? In this episode, James and Katrina unpack the seven warning signs that it may be time to step away from work and take a career break.
From burnout and chronic stress to losing your spark, feeling disconnected from your purpose, and struggling to find balance in life, Katrina shares the most common signs she sees in high achievers who desperately need a reset.
Together, James and Katrina discuss work-life balance, career misalignment, mental health, burnout recovery, rediscovering creativity, and why so many people ignore the warning signs for years before finally making a change.
This episode is packed with honest conversations, practical insights, and powerful reminders that taking a career break, sabbatical, or reset is not quitting — it’s reclaiming control of your life.
Whether you’re considering a sabbatical, feeling exhausted by corporate life, or simply wondering if there’s more to life than work, this episode will help you reflect on what you truly want and whether now is the time to make a change.
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Timestamps
00:00 – Introduction to the episode
01:26 – The 7 warning signs you need a career break
02:57 – Sign #1: Burnout, exhaustion & being overworked
05:55 – Sign #2: Career misalignment & lack of fulfilment
09:44 – Sign #3: Taking back control of your life
11:28 – Sign #4: When work is impacting your mental & physical health
14:28 – Break Space: Support for planning your career break
15:18 – Sign #5: Feeling lost & needing clarity in life
18:44 – Sign #6: Losing your spark, creativity & excitement for life
22:14 – Sign #7: You simply want to take a break
23:43 – Bonus sign: “It could be worse” becomes your mindset
25:31 – Final thoughts & where to connect with Katrina
Ready to stop "running on empty" and start running toward a life you actually love?
📞Schedule a call with Katrina - https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/freeconsult
🫶🏼Join the BreakSpace community - www.gobreakspace.com
🎁Order Katrina's book (w/ special bonus!) - https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book
🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into career growth, work-life balance, and mental resilience.
🎧Produced by Winging It Productions - https://www.wingingitproductions.com