Let's Talk About: Burnout

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

Burnout. 

The well-accepted definition of burnout is: a severe stress condition that leads to severe physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion (Healthline, 2019). 

It's a word that we hear a lot in work circles. 

"My work hasn't let up for the past few months... I'm hoping it's just a busy season."

"When's the next public holiday? I need the extra time to complete the work that I have right now."

"It doesn't matter, I have to work most public holidays and weekends anyways."

"When's my next break? It doesn't matter anyway, cause I can't afford to take leave."

"I have been feeling so tired lately despite sleeping at 10pm, and when I get up the next morning, I feel exactly the same..."

Does that sound familiar?

I rather like this alternative definition of burnout instead - that goes to the root of the issue a little more -:

"Burnout includes a sense of failure or impotence for reasons that are outside of one’s control, which then turns into feelings of helplessness or hopelessness in changing the circumstances of one’s employment. The roles themselves are now perceived as pointless; therefore, the people filling those roles have lost a sense of meaning and purpose in their work." (Forbes, 2022)

Also, phrased so eloquently here on Mindtools:

"Anyone can become exhausted. What is so poignant about burnout is that it mainly strikes people who are highly committed to their work: you can only "burn out" if you have been "alight" in the first place.

While exhaustion can be overcome with rest, a core part of burnout is a deep sense of disillusionment, and it is not experienced by people who can take a more cynical view of their work."

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Firstly, it's amazing to find out that burnout mainly affects people who are highly committed to their work. It can be any type of work / industry / job, but it presumes that people who are commonly affected by burnout are the dedicated and passionate types of people. It also does not seem to affect people who take a more cynical view of their work.

So the fact that burnout happens so often nowadays - it could be due to a few factors.

• One, contrary to popular belief, people who are in the workforce are committed to their work. Perhaps more so than before, I would dare to suggest, considering that people are more free to pursue what they want to do (and are not as constrained to the traditional roles as before) and more and more types of occupation are available with the advent of technology. It is easier for people to find their interest and their niche in the workplace, and therefore easier to be committed to their work.  

• Two, people nowadays are idealists. They have an idea of what they expect to achieve in their career. But work often doesn't meet that expectation. So they get quickly  disillusioned and that could lead to burnout.
  
  
• Thirdly, and I think most importantly, it leads back to purpose and meaning. 

Students, who grow up and go to college, university and ultimately to join the working world, are not taught of the importance of having purpose in what they do, and not assisted in finding that purpose in their own lives. 

This leads back to education and the education system. 

And whether students (at a young age) are taught the soft skills, guided in the identification of their interests and their subsequent career search (through career counselling) and perhaps even taught to think critically (about different topics, form opinions about themselves and the world around them) -

so that it culminates in the questioning of themselves and the world around them in order to form thoughts about their purpose in their work and their lives. Questions like:

"Why am I doing what I'm doing?"

"Is what I'm doing bringing me fulfillment in the short-term or long-term?"

"Is my work meaningful to me and to others?"

Talking about purpose also reminds me of the concept of "Ikigai". (Perhaps another post to talk about that in the future!)  It is truly one of my deepest ideal future, to see everyone doing what they love (and are passionate about) - their "Ikigai".

Perhaps now would be a good time to reflect on your own purpose (in life / in work), or if you're feeling stuck: to explore this "Ikigai" concept for yourself!

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On the other practical aspects of burnout - you can check out this Healthline article (which has really good, colorful and succinct posters for ease of reference!)

• Signs of burnout
• The different stages of burnout 
• Practical steps to prevent burnout

Alternatively, if you're not into reading too much - you can take this burnout self-test to help you determine whether you are indeed in the risk zone of falling into burnout.

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If you can recognize the signs of burnout in yourself or in your fellow colleagues and / or friends or family members, please approach them to converse and listen to them about their situation. 

Do encourage them to seek out a professional if you feel like you're out of your depth in assisting them in their circumstances.

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References:

1. https://www.healthline.com/health/tips-for-identifying-and-preventing-burnout (Healthline)

2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/irabedzow/2022/08/24/how-purpose-and-employee-empowerment-can-stop-burnout/?sh=24200799350d (Forbes)

3. https://www.mindtools.com/apt37nj/avoiding-burnout (MindTools)

4. https://management30.com/blog/redefining-purpose-with-ikigai/ (Concept of Ikigai)