BLOG_2020_02_06 Burnout

Burnout

06 FEBRUARY 2020

Burnout affects so many aspects of an individual’s life.

It is a condition that affects us physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually.

One of the first physical symptoms of burnout is fatigue. Intellectually, there may be a loss of creativity and sharpness in problem-solving; cynicism may replace enthusiasm. Emotionally, the loss of dreams and expectations can result in feelings of helplessness and depression. In the social realm, isolation overtakes a feeling of involvement. Spiritually, the person experiencing burnout may feel a lack of meaning or purposelessness in his/her life.

According to a recent study, one in three Americans is expected to burn out on the job in the near future and, in the two years preceding the study, 14% of the workforce quit or changed jobs due to job stress. I imagine the statistics for entrepreneurs could be even worse given that most small businesses don’t survive the first year.

How can you avoid becoming one of the burnout statistics?

First, recognize the warning signs:

feelings of frustration because you can never catch up
a feeling of lack of control about how to do your job or what goes on in the workplace
emotional outbursts
withdrawal and isolation
the dread of going to work
frequent sickness or health problems
increased use of alcohol, drugs or food consumption
a desire to quit (or run away) but a fear of doing so

Taking a few days off or a vacation to Bali won’t contain the burnout. Neither will simply leaving one job for another, or starting another business. Burnout has more to do with attitudes, work styles, and behavior than it does the specific situation. In other words, burnout may be primarily an act of self-destruction.

How to Avoid Burnout

Self-management

Take the time to set goals and objectives, review them with others, make sure they’re specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (smart).

Stress management

Know your own responses to stress and develop a plan to manage it. Exercise, take breaks, eat healthfully, set boundaries for when you work and when you don’t, make time for play and rest. Discover what works best for you and your body and practice good self-care habits.

Support systems

Family, friends, co-workers, coaches, professional organizations—all these support systems can help in times of stress.

Skill building

Look for challenges and opportunities to learn new skills and participate in activities that use your natural skills, talents, and abilities. Rather than becoming stagnant, you’ll be able to grow.

Balance

Seek a balanced and well-structured lifestyle. Avoid boredom. Determine what’s important to you and create a lifestyle that embraces and supports you.

Think positively

Replace negativity with optimistic thinking. Helpless thinking is a major contributor to burnout.

Watch Your Words

Remember when you actually think and say, “I won’t fail”, your brain actually hears, “I will fail”! Change your thought and statement to, “I will succeed”!

Be creative

Look for a different approach to the same problems or to unpleasant situations. Break free from your everyday routine. Let your workspace express your individuality.

Humor and playfulness