Questions Answered, Caffeine Optional

I spend a lot of time mentoring other professionals, most of them younger than me, but not all. When we sit down together for a chat, they usually have a question or two. Something about work, project management, leadership, learning, making changes, or just navigating this unpredictable thing called life.

Over the years, I’ve learned that the best conversations don’t always happen in boardrooms or formal training sessions. They happen in the in-between moments… over lunch, in the hallway, during those quick “got a minute?” chats that end up lasting an hour.

So that’s the idea behind Office Hours with Shellie. It’s a place where you can ask your questions, too.

What This Is

Each week, I’ll take a real question (sometimes from readers, sometimes from my consulting work or mentoring experiences), sometimes one I’ve wrestled with myself. And I’ll answer it here.

These won’t be long, formal essays. They’ll be direct and practical. I’ll tell you what I think, what’s worked for me, and where I’d start if I were in your shoes.

What You Can Ask

Anything in the realm of:

Career growth, leadership, and team dynamics
Project management, risk, and decision-making
Learning and personal development
Burnout, boundaries, and real-life balance

And yes, the occasional “how do I handle this awkward thing that happened at work” question is welcome.

What I Won’t Cover

I’m not here to give medical, legal, or financial advice. And while I’m open to talking about big feelings, I’m not a substitute for professional mental health support.

How It Works

I’ll publish new Office Hours posts every week.
You can submit a question anytime using this form or by sending me a message.
Questions can be anonymous if you’d like.

Who You’re Getting Advice From

I’m a consultant, certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) with over 15 years of experience turning ambitious ideas into finished projects. Along the way, I’ve launched several businesses, worked across industries, and mentored professionals from new graduates to seasoned leaders.

My work blends business strategy, adult learning, and lived experience. From boardrooms to real-life “how do I even start?” moments. I’ve been the person people come to for quick clarity and the occasional pep talk. And I’ve learned that the right mix of practical advice and real-world insight can change everything.

Office Hours with Shellie is my way of bringing those conversations here: questions answered, caffeine optional.

Today’s Question

To kick things off, I’m starting with a question I hear all the time in some form:

“How do I know if I’m burned out or just tired?”

My Take

Burnout and tiredness can look and feel similar. You’re dragging, you can’t focus, and everything feels heavier than it should. But tiredness usually eases with rest. Burnout doesn’t.

The biggest tell is how you feel after a genuine break. If a long weekend leaves you recharged, you were tired. If you come back just as drained and disconnected, you might be burnt out.

Burnout is a signal, not a flaw. It’s your mind and your body saying, “We can’t keep doing it this way.” That might mean reassessing your workload, your boundaries, or the expectations you’ve set for yourself.

Quick Tip: If rest doesn’t make you feel better, it’s not just rest you need.

If You’re in a Similar Spot

Ask yourself: Am I exhausted, or am I detached? Detachment points toward burnout.
Take one thing off your plate for the next two weeks. Don’t replace it with another obligation.
Use a little of that free time to do something you actually enjoy, that has nothing to do with being “productive”. Have some fun.
Reassess to see if you need to make bigger changes once you’ve had a little break.