Are you stressed out at work? You might be speeding toward “burnout”, or experiencing it already.
Burnout can develop from three different situations:
Overworked
Are you working more than 40 hours per week? If so, you’re six times more likely to burn out than someone working less than 35 hours per week. People who are career-driven and heavily involved in their work frequently end up overworked.
Under-challenged
Are you bored at work? People who are stuck doing monotonous tasks and have little chance for variety or professional development are at high risk of burnout. Administrative staff often fall into this category.
Worn out
Have you been in the same job for a long time with little recognition of your work? The longer you spend in a position, especially if you receive little support or acknowledgement for your efforts, the more likely you are to burn out.
Scientists analyse factors leading to burnout
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On these three points alone people can make a big difference to the quality of their life by:
1. Resisting the drive to work longer hours by challenging the belief that it is “expected” or makes a “good impression”.
2. Actively seek out more challenging tasks and roles – when you work at something you are truly passionate about and feels “right” every day, time will flies and burnout becomes virtually impossible.
3. Keep wanting and expecting more and better. Keep on looking, keep on asking, keep believing you deserve better.
Great tips Nigel. There are so many rules that we introject from our family and society about the way we think about and approach work. It’s good to take some time out and explore some of those rules we internalise and check out with ourselves whether they actually make sense.
Great point, Nigel. We have the power the change each one of those three situations, even if it’s a difficult process. Sometimes that’s hard to remember when we’re experiencing burnout and feeling powerless.
Thanks for your insight, Nigel! I find myself struggling with ‘I could be a LITTLE more productive if I just spent ten more minutes…’ which turns into an hour, which eventually leads to me wondering where the day went!
Great post, I’m already rethinking my productivity strategies!