Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#1

Post by gszr » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 2:01 PM UTC

Earlier in my career I pushed myself to my limit, with not much care to not burn out; now I feel I can sustain productivity without being consistently past that overcommitment line - a subjective measure. The hardest part to me is having a clear shutdown routine, especially in days I did not fully solve whatever I set out to solve. And this seems an order of magnitude harder nowadays with AI.

How do you all manage this? Any resources?

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#2

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 2:06 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#3

Post by inclinq » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 2:07 PM UTC

[flagged]

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#4

Post by andsoitis » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 2:14 PM UTC

What have you tried?

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#5

Post by zer0tonin » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 2:21 PM UTC

I have simply cared about "optimizing output" long ago. Ironically, I think I ship a lot more stuff than people who waste all their time optimizing their life away.

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#6

Post by leros » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 4:36 PM UTC

Manage your energy, not your output. You have a finite amount of energy per day and you get to decide where to use it.

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#7

Post by fullstick » Wed, Jul 22, 2026, 5:55 PM UTC

I sit outside and stare at my garden when I need to optimize

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#8

Post by jimnotgym » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 1:46 PM UTC

I have burnt out. I'll tell you what I know. You have a certain amount of energy. It recharges slowly. Just like a battery it can run a milk float for a day or a racing car for 30 seconds. You choose. You can recharge the milk float overnight, the racing car will need it every few minutes. Humans can draw on a reserve battery, but that takes much longer to recharge. Now look at the problem in front of you. Work 24/7 for a week and take a holiday after. Work at a fair pace and reasonable hours and do it until you are 80. Up to you

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#9

Post by sutaminajing40 » Thu, Jul 23, 2026, 3:00 PM UTC

[flagged]

Re: Ask HN: How to you optimize output while not burning out?

#10

Post by gszr » Sat, Aug 01, 2026, 12:22 PM UTC

All these replies are great - thanks for taking the time.

> Manage your energy, not your output. You have a finite amount of energy per day and you get to decide where to use it.

This is a great way to put it. And this captures what was wrong in my way of thinking about it.

- Introspecting and simply taking a break before brain fog arrises - Organizing the daily schedule according to my best focus hours, not pushing hard when the energy levels naturally go down

> Now there's always one more prompt to try or one more iteration to make.

This comment is also great, not sure why it got downvoted.