Avoiding Burnout at Work

Burnout threatens both the individual and the organization where they work, and the upheaval of the past few years has only served to increase the amount of people experiencing the exhaustion burnout brings.

The most common cause of burnout is when we experience high levels of stress for extended periods of time. While stress is inevitable and often necessary for growth, no one can sustain it indefinitely without periods of rest and restoration. And when we’re burning out, we feel exhausted - physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

Employees experiencing burnout are less productive at work and have less concern for others than they normally would. They’re also more likely to miss work altogether. As a result, organizations with burned-out employees garner decreased productivity and talent, lower profits, and possible damage to their overall reputation.

Along with the healthy self-care habits of sleep, exercise, and nutrition, here are some specific ways to deal with burnout:

Catch It Early

It’s easier to catch burnout early than to heal from it, so take what I call the ENP Test to know if you’re headed toward burnout:

• Energy

• Negativity

• Productivity

If you're consistently feeling a lack of energy overall, negative or cynical about numerous things, and less productive even when you’re physically rested, you're heading toward burnout.

Find the Friction

When our daily life doesn’t match up with what we say we value, tremendous friction and discomfort happens in the brain. We have to reasses our priorities. The reason we burned out in the first place is because we contradicted what we said we prioritized. The brain can’t sustain that level of conflict, and burnout is the result.

Connect to purpose

Your job doesn’t have to be your purpose, but you can find connections between your job and how it can help you accomplish your purpose. When we feel a sense of contribution, that we’re giving ourselves to something larger, we feel energized and more fully alive.

Mix in Some Timeouts

Full vacations are always ideal, but when you’re feeling stressed and there’s no ocean in sight, take a 60 second timeout right there at your desk. Bring in a stick from the woods or a shell from the beach and just hold it and move it around in your hand for a minute or so. Imagine you’re hiking in the forest or walking along the sea shore, and use what’s in your hand to help your senses fully engage. Or take a quick walk around the building, or do 20 jumping jacks or pushups in your office.