Finding your way out of burnout.
Burnout can be likened to a wildfire that spreads through our lives, consuming everything in its path. Freudenberger defined burnout as "the extinction of motivation or incentive, especially where one's devotion to a cause or relationship fails to produce the desired results." That’s a little more of a soulful definition than the World Health Organization definition (1), and it seems to hit home more because it includes the idea that desire is a large part of burnout.
You can’t get out the same way you got it
Just like a hiker lost in the woods, they were at some point before becoming lost seeking something. And during that journey they’re desire became more than what they signed up for or could manage. In this case, in dealing with the state of burnout we can become overwhelmed by an imbalance between what we want and what we are able to do, leading to a sense of disorientation and exhaustion (2). And so we become stuck. Now, in a perfect world we could stop, re-assess our goals and adjust our path. But that’s not how corporate America works. Employees are usually in systems or workflows that continue to demand more, despite all that we have given. And at this point, we’re not just navigating our own internal challenges but the challenges set up by the organization. That’s a situation that tips most people over the edge into mental, emotional and even physical shutdown. At this point, changing what we desire (or what others desire of us) typically fails to remove burnout.
It’s all too much
Understanding what got you into a state of exhaustion, moral injury and distress is a good first move in the chess game of burnout. Your opponent in this case is often the organization you work within and in some cases the habits, traits and decisions that got you into a state of burnout. Identifying burnout isn't as simple as recognizing the signs of a storm on the horizon. The cause of burnout varies from person to person and may not be readily apparent. You see, too much of most things mental, emotional, or physical can lead to injury or exhaustion and even burnout - just like a riverbank may erode due to the constant flow of water. For instance, excessive happiness can disconnect us from others who perceive that we aren’t in tune with their misfortunes, performing squats daily might result in physical injuries and overusing our working memory (a cognitive function developed in our brain) could affect our ability to remember names. Burnout arises from an overabundance of one aspect of our lives, which ultimately consumes us and leaves us feeling lost and disoriented. Identifying what you’ve done too much of and reducing your time spent doing or thinking about that is typically helpful. But on the flipside of that, you’re going to need some help in figuring out what that thing you’ve done so much of is, and then a little more help trying to remove or reduce that occurrence in your life.
Navigating out of burnout
To find our way out of burnout, we need to take proactive, yet steady and manageable, steps.
Connect with fellow travelers who have experienced similar feelings as you: Finding a support network of people who have been through burnout can provide valuable insights and encouragement, like a flock of birds flying together to navigate their way.
Identify personal issues, barriers, and blind spots: Just as a forest must be nurtured and protected, understanding the challenges that contribute to burnout can help us make necessary adjustments to our lives. The blindspot could be things that you’re doing or things that your team or organization are doing.
Refuse to settle for less: Decide what aspects of your life you're no longer willing to compromise on, like a tree that stands tall and unwavering against the elements, and take steps to ensure that your well-being remains a top priority.
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Dan
CEO, Silicea Labs
