Engage Coaching and Consulting

BURNING UP OR BURNING OUT

                Where is the line?  Most people want to live their lives with passion.  In our work, in sports, and in social settings

 those who are on fire set the pace. There is a value placed on those “on fire.”

                Hard work is necessary and good, but it can be overly elevated. 

• Dreams are lovely but they are just dreams. Fleeting, ephemeral, pretty. But dreams do not come true just because you dream them. It’s hard work that makes things happen. It’s hard work that creates change. Shonda Rhimes
• "Your most brilliant ideas come in a flash, but the flash comes only after a lot of hard work. Nobody gets a big idea when he is not relaxed, and nobody gets a big idea when he is relaxed all the time." - Edward Blakeslee
• Do not whine … do not complain. Work harder. Spend more time alone. Joan Didion
• The great philosopher, Yoda, said Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try. Yoda

 

We glorify the grind as if it were a growth strategy, then act surprised when our energy collapses. Burnout is proof that the way you work needs redesign, not that you lack grit.

When does the fire become negative?  How much is too much?  When does burning up cross the line to burn out.

 

THE PREVELANCE OF BURNOUT

                In a recent survey of 5,014 professionals jarring statistics emerge:[1]

               

                Forty-nine people managers report having severe stress levels.  While thirty percent of individual contributors report severe stress.  That is a profound statistic, as elevated levels of stress, let alone severe stress, can lead to burnout, turnover, disengagement, and more.

                The danger is high.  A large majority of employees experience workplace burnout, facing emotional exhaustion, energy depletion, and chronic stress. Such high rates show that work-related stress and lack of support are common challenges, causing a decline in mental well-being across industries.

                The Gallup organization says that eight in ten workers experience burnouts in the job at least sometimes.  The effect is stunning. Employee burnout impacts job performance and organizations’ productivity. When employees are drained, the whole workforce suffers, resulting in negative effects like absenteeism and lower engagement.

The most powerful headline statistic reveals this cost: an estimated 12 billion working days are lost every year to depression and anxiety, costing the global economy US$ 1 trillion annually. This massive loss underscores the urgent need for employers and policymakers to address mental health as a fundamental component of a healthy workforce.

                The financial effects of burnout are stunning.  It costs business $322,000,000,000 annually.  Burnout leads to 68% of employees being less likely to stay at their organizations.   High turnover due to stress disrupts businesses, damages morale, and signals larger issues in employee experience and support. Burnout erodes workers’ confidence in their abilities, further lowering productivity and engagement.

 

‍DEFINING THE TERM

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, often at work. It’s marked by symptoms like fatigue, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness.

Burnout is a condition identified by three key pillars: exhaustion, feelings of cynicism and/or detachment from your work, and a sense of ineffectiveness. 

“It’s a sense of lack of personal efficacy — a lack of belief in yourself to accomplish what you want,” says Dr. Sherry Walling, a clinical psychologist who specializes in counseling entrepreneurs. “It’s the sense in which you kind of just don’t care anymore.”

If you feel yourself questioning your own abilities, or if a loved one or colleague has noted changes in your behavior — or you’ve noticed it in theirs — it’s important to take a step back and consider the signs and symptoms. 

Signs of Burnout 

• A sense of defeat
• Avoidance of work 
• Depersonalization 
• Detachment 
• Loss of motivation
• Loss of satisfaction in your work 
• Feeling flat or numb
• Feeling trapped or like you don’t have agency in your own life. 

“Burnout is like a job-induced depression,” says Walling. “It’s targeted at feeling super overwhelmed by what’s happening in your professional context. Depression can have many causes, but burnout is caused by your job.”