Userback’s Post

Someone once asked me "what's one thing you wish you knew when you started product management?" If you were to ask me that question when I first started, I'd probably answer something along the lines of "how to prioritize things," "how to manage stakeholders," or "how to build a strategic roadmap." Now, if you were to ask me that, I'd answer "that imposter syndrome and burnout are always looming over the horizon." I've served as a product manager across a number of industries, company sizes, etc. and that answer rings as true as the day I first realized and came to terms with it. You will always have moments where you will feel like everyone in the room is smarter than you. You will always have moments where you will doubt the decision you're about to make. You will always have moments where you just don't want to do anything even remotely "product management." You will always have moments where you will wonder if you're even making a difference to your teams and customers. You will always have moments where some or more than the points above will take a mental toll on you. But that's okay. It's all part of being a product manager. It comes with the territory; if you are in product management, you will sooner or later face one or both of imposter syndrome and burnout. Whether you're just starting out or you're 10 or 20 years in, it will come back in any number of forms. And the sooner you can understand that, the sooner you can do something about it before it affects not only you, but the teams you work with. Now it's your turn. What's one thing you wish you knew when you started product management? #productmanagement #productmanager #impostersyndrome #burnout #careeradvice

🔥 Mastering Product Management Without the Burnout 🔥 Stay on top of your game in product management while avoiding the burnout trap: 🎨 Creative Breaks: Engage in activities outside of work to spark creativity. #Creativity #Breaks 🗣 Open Communication: Share your workload and stresses with your team. #Communicate #Support 🔍 Prioritize Self-Discovery: Understand what energizes and drains you. #SelfAwareness #Growth 🍏 Healthy Eating: Fuel your body with the right nutrients. #HealthyEating #Energy 🙏 Gratitude Practice: Focus on the positive aspects of your life. #Gratitude #Positivity Transform product management challenges into opportunities for growth. ✨ #Leadership #Wellness

“Decision-making is an art, and every Product Manager is an artist!” If you’re looking to maintain sound decision-making abilities, especially when burnout looms, here’s a distilled wisdom from a must-read LinkedIn article: ✅ Recognize the Weight of Decisions: Understand the impact your choices have on your product’s journey. ✅ Combat Biases: Seek diverse perspectives to avoid decision-making pitfalls. ✅ Embrace Resourcefulness: Navigate time and budget constraints with creativity and agility. ✅ Consult and Reflect: Engage with stakeholders and reflect on the outcomes to refine your approach. For a deeper dive into mastering the art of decision-making, check out the full article on LinkedIn in the comment section. It’s a treasure trove for any Product Manager looking to sharpen their skills! 🎯 #DecisionMaking #BurnoutHandling #ManageBurnout #DealwithBurnout #KeepCalm #StayComposed #PrioritiseEffectively #PoweringProgress #ProductManagement #GrowthMindset

Not so fun fact about Product Management - Do you know that as a product manager, things will not always go as planned? 😅 Between unforeseen technical issues, shifting priorities, burnout or even personal health challenges, setbacks are inevitable. Recently, I faced a tough week managing deadlines amongst other things and despite meticulous planning, I found myself behind on targets, with that feeling of everything piling up. It was frustrating and a bit disheartening. But looking back, experiences like this teach me a thing or two. -Here’s what’s helps me bounce back in times like that 📍 Reframing the Setback: Instead of focusing on missed targets, I try to see what I learned from the experience. Did I discover new ways to communicate with my team, new ways to organize, or something about myself? Every setback holds a lesson if we’re willing to look for it. 📍 Reprioritizing and Adjusting: Goals sometimes need to shift. After getting back on track, I take a fresh look at my objectives and ask: “What’s essential now?” Sometimes, that means realigning expectations with stakeholders or adjusting deadlines to make sure the quality doesn’t suffer. 📍 Finding Small Wins: When setbacks feel overwhelming, I focus on achievable tasks that bring small victories. They build momentum and help rebuild confidence, whether that’s tackling a few outstanding emails, fixing a minor bug, or having an honest conversation with the team about how we’ll move forward. 📍 Taking time for Self-Care: Burnout is real. I’ve learned that pushing through without taking care of myself only makes things worse. So, I carve out time for a walk, a good meal, or just a break to reset. Product managers often juggle so much; we owe it to ourselves to recharge. Dealt with something similar recently? What step(s) did you take to bounce back? I’d like to hear them in the comments Cheers to a Productive week! #ProductManagement #Resilience #OvercomingSetbacks #GrowthMindset #Leadership

I Cannot Come and Go and Kill Myself" - A Product Manager's Mantra There's a folksy saying in my country that goes, "I cannot come and go and kill myself" (don't worry, it's not as dramatic as it sounds!). It basically means, stressing won't solve anything. As product folks, we face challenges daily. But instead of getting bogged down, what if we flipped the script? My grandma, wise as ever, (RIP) used to say, "Eat, sleep, come back to it." It wasn't about ignoring problems, but approaching them with a fresh perspective. Stressing leads to burnout. Solution minded fosters creativity, progress, and learning. Which path sounds more productive? This week, let's choose to be solution-minded. You might be surprised where it takes you. #ProductManagement #GrowthMindset #ProblemSolving #MondayMotivation #HappyNewWeek

Facing burnout as a Product Manager? You're not alone. Here's how to recharge without dropping the ball... Burnout is real, especially in high-pressure roles like product management. The key to managing this isn't working harder but smarter. Prioritize ruthlessly Delegate effectively Invest in yourself Say "No" Small adjustments can lead to significant impacts on your mental health and productivity. Remember, taking care of yourself isn't just good personal practice; it's smart business. As someone guiding product managers, I cannot stress enough the importance of self-care in sustaining long-term success. For personalized strategies on maintaining peak performance without burning out, reach out. Stay tuned for more insights that help you thrive. 📌 Feeling stuck or burned out, shoot me a DM. #ProductManagement #Leadership #SelfCare

I've spent 2024 telling everyone that 92% of product people experience burnout. & you know what? That number still f*cking haunts me 🔥 This year, I went ALL IN on changing this. From speaking at conferences in Serbia & Lithuania to hosting workshops with 400+ product people - we started crucial conversations about transforming product cultures. & the impact? F*cking incredible: ⚡️ Coached 27 product leaders to be sh*t hot at their jobs ⚡️ Helped clients land 20% pay rises ⚡️ Generated 43% CRO uplifts ⚡️ Moved base to Oxford (but kept that digital nomad life going strong!) Two posts that lit up some serious conversations: "Against Traditional SCRUM Teams" The post that sparked debates about how we can work better & smarter https://lnkd.in/ep4GBtfb "Frameworks Have Taken Over Product Management" Why thinking skills matter more than following the latest framework https://lnkd.in/eaJcMg_p I used to think burnout was just part of being successful in product. But f*ck that. This year proved we can create incredible impact WITHOUT running ourselves into the ground 💥 2025? We're going even bigger. More tools, more support, more transformation. Because you deserve to be f*cking incredible at your job without sacrificing your wellbeing ✨ To everyone who's been part of this journey - whether you've worked with me, shared your story, or just started thinking differently about burnout in product - thank you. You're the reason I know we can change this 🤍 PS. Want to join us in making 2025 the year of success without stress? Drop me a DM - I've got something exciting launching in January! 🔥 PPS. This content from coauthor is scarilyyyy good 👏🏼

Product managers burnout: I've seen it too often: talented PMs burning out from the relentless pace and pressure to deliver. The consequences are real - decreased motivation, reduced creativity, and ultimately, departure from the company. It's time for us to prioritize PM well-being and take proactive steps to mitigate burnout. Let's foster open conversations, set realistic goals, and empower PMs to take ownership of their work and well-being. Guide your team to provide you more data, details, solutions for a team’s decision and not just a one man army Together, we can build a sustainable and thriving product management community. #ProductManagement #Burnout #WellBeing #career

For a Quality Product Teams Need a Balanced Work ethic to Thrive My love for dogs has made me very observant. Every time a lice is pulled off from a dog, they wince and there's this sigh of relief from them. It’s like a huge burden lifted! (By the way please care for your pets if you have one) ______________________________ Today, I read a comment from a fellow product manager saying, "Can Nigerian startups just learn more about working culture and avoid sucking one person’s blood😂." This statement hit home. As Product Managers, we're often pushed to deliver high-quality results quickly. But, it’s important to balance our team's workload to avoid burnout and a poor quality delivery. Here are some simple points to keep in mind: 🔹 Fair Workload: Too much work can lead to mistakes and delays. A balanced workload helps the team stay focused and creative. 🔹 Set Priorities: Focusing on important tasks first helps the team deliver better results. 🔹 Avoid Burnout: Multitasking might seem fast, but it actually slows us down. Taking care of our team's well-being keeps them productive and happy. 🔹 Clear Communication: Regular, honest talks about workload help set the right expectations. 🔹 Quality Over Quantity: It’s better to deliver a few great features than many average ones. Action Steps: 🪜 1. Check Team Capacity: Regularly check how much work the team can handle. 2. Prioritize Tasks: Have a clear plan for which tasks are most important. 3. Focus Time: Give the team uninterrupted time to work on important tasks. 4. Support Well-being: Provide flexible hours, mental health resources, and regular check-ins. By taking these steps, we can create a better work environment where our teams can consistently deliver high-quality results. Let's strive for a balance that keeps our teams motivated, productive, and healthy. Don't be a blood sucking stakeholder or PM. I'm Sarah Williams and I communicate common mistakes stakeholders and PM's make providing you with ways to mitigate them. Click on this blue name Sarah Williams let's connect. #ProductManagement #TeamWellbeing #SustainableProductivity #WorkLifeBalance #Leadership #ProjectManagement

🌟 Elevate Your Product Management Game: Stress-Free 🌟 Achieve greatness in product management while keeping stress at bay: 🎯 Focus on Impact: Work on projects that truly make a difference. #Impact #Value 🔄 Feedback Loop: Constructive feedback helps improve without overburdening. #Feedback #Growth 🎉 Celebrate Wins: Acknowledge both small and big achievements. #Celebrate #Success 🌐 Network: Connect with peers for support and inspiration. #Networking #Community 🛌 Quality Sleep: Never compromise on sleep; it's your superpower. #Sleep #Superpower Let’s navigate the product management path with energy and peace. 🚀 #NoStress #ProductManagementExcellence