Do you start dreading Monday on Saturday? Do you feel like your life is being wasted? Do you actually feel sick as you're heading to work? If so, you may be experiencing job burnout!
Burnout, sometimes called compassion fatigue in the helping services, is the result of accumulated stress and is becoming more and more prevalent in our do-more-and-do-it-faster multitasking society. Odds are that many of your co-workers are afflicted by it. Odds are even better that you are a victim of burnout; otherwise you wouldn't be reading this article.
Don't confuse job burnout with job stress. While the two conditions are both detrimental to your physical, emotional, and mental well-being, the symptoms and solutions are not the same.
You know what stress is - that overwhelming pressure to do everything, do it right, and live up to expectations no matter how unreasonable those expectations may be. When we're feeling stress, we often believe that everything will be better when the project is completed, the report is filed, or the busy season ends. We can see light at the end of the stress tunnel. People suffering from burnout, on the other hand, can't see the light and no longer believe the light is even there.
Symptoms of Burnout
Burnout creeps up on us and may be evident to our co-workers and loved ones long before we recognize the problem ourselves. Have you noticed any of the following symptoms, or have others pointed them out to you?
- Lack of creativity and motivation
- Feelings of powerlessness and helplessness
- Lack of energy, both physical and emotional
- Withdrawal from people and events
- Feeling trapped
- Long-term feelings of sadness
- Dulled emotions
- Lack of motivation
- Depression; hopelessness
- Irritability and cynicism
- Loss of concentration; forgetfulness
- Inability to make decisions
- Feeling that your life is being wasted
- Continual boredom; lack of passion
- Generalized anger
- Unexplained physical symptoms such as headaches, weight loss or gain, or sleeplessness
Any of these symptoms may affect us all from time to time, but are usually short lived. When they are a result of burnout, more than one symptom will be present for a long period of time, will usually grow worse, and will affect all aspects of life.
What Can Be Done About Burnout?
Combating burnout requires change. Feelings of boredom, waste, and hopelessness often result from the perception that we are stuck in a rut with no way out. Here are a few suggestions for change that may help you break out of that rut and regain a sense of purpose and excitement.
- Change your appearance. It may sound shallow, but losing a few pounds, highlighting your hair color, or sprucing up your wardrobe can help you to improve self-esteem and self-perception.
- Change your job responsibilities. By eliminating the most monotonous or unpleasant duties, you may find a renewed enthusiasm for the other areas of your work.
- Change the scenery. Can you transfer to another department or location? New surroundings, co-workers, or even a new route to work may be enough to restore your balance.
- Take on a new challenge. If boredom is truly at the heart of your burnout, learning and implementing new skills may be just what you need to bounce back.
- Cut back. If you consistently work long hours or even work through your scheduled days off, it's no wonder you're experiencing burnout! Delegate as many duties as you can, say no to new tasks, and use your time off to engage in activities you enjoy.
- Break it up. Are you in a rut, performing the same activities in the same order every day? Try shuffling your routine. Do something new at least once a week, even if that's only eating at a new restaurant.
- Do something drastic. Remember that what was right for you twenty, ten, or even five years ago, isn't necessarily a good fit now. Is it time to leave that corporate job and indulge your life-long desire to become a plumber?
Whatever the root cause of your burnout, it won't get better unless you make the change. This doesn't mean that you have to turn your life upside down tomorrow; making even a small change will remind you that you do have the power to control your own destiny.
