There’s a quiet kind of burnout that no one talks about—one that doesn’t come from too much work, but too little meaning in the work you do. It’s called Rust Out—and it’s just as damaging.
You show up, you do your job, you check all the boxes. But inside? You feel like you’re going through the motions. The passion that once fueled you feels distant, your strengths feel underutilized, and you start wondering: Is this all there is?
Rust Out doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in slowly—work that once excited you now feels uninspired, challenges become routine, and the days blur together. You’re not exhausted the way burnout makes you feel, but there’s a numbness, a slow fading of motivation.
That’s where Kelli, a Senior Writer for an entertainment publication, found herself. She had built a career doing something she once loved—crafting stories, interviewing industry icons, shaping narratives that people devoured. But somewhere along the way, the spark dimmed. She wasn’t growing, wasn’t stretching her creativity, and it left her feeling… stuck.
Through coaching, Kelli realized that Rust Out wasn’t a lack of work—it was a lack of alignment. She wasn’t using her core strengths in a meaningful way, and she had lost touch with what truly lit her up. But once she reconnected with those pieces, everything shifted.
If you’ve been feeling disengaged, uninspired, or restless in your work, here’s how you can reverse Rust Out and reignite your passion—starting today.
Rediscover Your Unique Strengths
Kelli’s Challenge: For years, Kelli had been playing to her general skills as a writer, but she wasn’t tapping into what made her truly exceptional. She had fallen into a routine, working efficiently but without excitement.
Why This Strategy Works: When you’re not using your strengths, work feels flat—it becomes a cycle of completing tasks rather than creating impact. But when you lean into what makes you extraordinary, work becomes energizing again.
How You Can Apply It:
✓ Reflect on the moments in your career where you felt most engaged, most alive. What were you doing?
✓ Identify the strengths that set you apart—not just what you’re good at, but what feels natural to you.
✓ Ask yourself: Am I using these strengths every day? If not, how can I start?
Example: Kelli realized that her true strength wasn’t just writing—it was storytelling. She had a gift for crafting emotionally compelling narratives, yet her recent work had been more formulaic. Once she identified this gap, she actively sought out projects that allowed her to bring more depth and creativity back into her writing.
Align Your Work with Your Passions
Kelli’s Challenge: Over time, Kelli had become disconnected from what originally drew her to entertainment journalism—her fascination with behind-the-scenes storytelling and uncovering hidden industry gems. Instead, she had been assigned to content that, while important, didn’t excite her.
Why This Strategy Works: When you stop engaging with the aspects of your work that fuel your curiosity and enthusiasm, Rust Out takes hold. But when you realign with what genuinely excites you, work stops feeling like an obligation and starts feeling like a privilege.
How You Can Apply It:
✓ Write down what genuinely excites you about your field.
✓ Identify ways to bring that passion into your current role—even in small ways.
✓ Have a conversation with your manager about taking on more projects that align with your interests.
Example: Kelli pitched a new series featuring in-depth profiles on rising industry talent—a concept that blended her passion for storytelling with her expertise. This project re-energized her and led to a renewed sense of purpose in her work.
Leverage Your Strengths & Passions to Expand Your Influence
Kelli’s Challenge: Even though she had years of experience, she wasn’t positioning herself as a thought leader in her industry. She wasn’t actively sharing her expertise or making bold moves to elevate her career.
Why This Strategy Works: When you use your strengths and passions strategically, you naturally stand out. Instead of feeling like you’re fading into the background, you become known for your unique perspective, talent, and contributions.
How You Can Apply It:
✓ Start sharing your knowledge—through writing, speaking, mentoring, or networking.
✓ Look for opportunities to take ownership of projects that allow you to lead in a way that feels authentic.
✓ Challenge yourself to step beyond your comfort zone and make your work more visible.
Example: Kelli began writing opinion pieces on industry trends, leveraging her deep understanding of entertainment storytelling. These articles gained traction, built her credibility, and opened new doors for speaking engagements and collaborations—reigniting her confidence and career momentum.
Your Next Move: Reignite Your Work, Reignite Yourself
Rust Out doesn’t mean your career is over. It means it’s time to realign.
✓ Reconnect with your core strengths—what makes you exceptional.
✓ Find ways to infuse your passions into your work.
✓ Leverage both to increase your influence and bring new energy into your career.
Kelli rediscovered her spark—and in doing so, she stopped just “doing the work” and started making an impact.
And so can you. What’s one step you can take today to break free from Rust Out?
Are You Ready to Maximize Your Strengths & Passions?
Awareness is the first step. The next step? Turning that awareness into action.
That’s where the Hello Inner Genius Strengths & Passions Assessments come in!
✓ Discover your unique strengths and how to position them for promotions, leadership, and visibility.
✓ Uncover what truly drives and excites you so you can align your work with your passions.
✓ Get a clear strategy for using your strengths to maximize your impact and influence.
About Phyllis Reagin I’m Phyllis Reagin, a doctoral-trained behaviorist, Executive & Leadership Coach and leading expert in Imposter Syndrome. I have coached hundreds of leaders (from Netflix, Warner Bros., Amazon MGM Studios, ViacomCBS, CNN, and more) to lead with greater confidence, influence, and impact.