The Burnout U-Turn
A tactical system for when you are running on empty
Burnout rarely hits all at once.
It usually starts earlier, when energy drops, focus breaks, and everything feels urgent but nothing really moves.
Burnout U Turn is a tactical operating system for those moments.
This is not a productivity tool.
It is not burnout recovery.
It does not try to motivate you.
It is designed for degraded mode, when judgment is compromised and pushing harder makes things worse.
What this gives you
• A short self assessment to diagnose your current state
• Clear routing into one of four degraded states
• Primary tactical cards to stabilize the system
• Strict rules to prevent escalation and over correction
• A way to execute a controlled U turn before burnout
The goal is not progress.
The goal is containment, control, and prevention.
The four degraded states
Energy Collapse
Fuel is low. Everything feels heavier than it should.
Reactive Spiral
External inputs are running the day. You are reacting instead of choosing.
Context Bleed
Too much switching. No traction. Nothing finishes cleanly.
Priority Decay
Important work keeps slipping while urgent noise wins.
Each state comes with a clear purpose and a primary intervention.
How it works
1 Complete the self assessment
2 The system identifies your dominant state
3 Follow the assigned card, in order
4 One tactical move per day
No stacking.
No optimization.
If you feel the urge to do more, that is your cue to stop.
What this is not
• Not therapy
• Not motivation
• Not habit tracking
• Not a wellness system
If you are already burned out, numb, or detached, this will not help. Seek professional support.
Who this is for
• Founders
• Operators
• Solo professionals
• People carrying responsibility while running on empty
If you want clarity instead of encouragement, this was built for you.
About the Pro version
This free version helps you stop making things worse.
The upcoming Pro version adds:
• Pattern detection across your past runs
• Early warning signals
• Review Mode for calm tactical adjustment
• State specific prevention cards
• Personal thresholds and guardrails
If you keep ending up in the same place, Pro is the next layer.
A tactical degraded mode system for people running on empty. Diagnose your state, take the least damaging next action, and execute a controlled U turn before burnout.