Burnout on the rise: recognizing the unconventional telltale signs

June 18, 12:49 PMNY Workplace ExaminerEmily Waters

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Living in a world marked by trying times, like the one we are unfortunately in is more often than not a tough reality to face. Keeping one’s job is even harder given the current economic trends. Despite insecurities about one’s current position, employees can easily be mentally one foot out the door without technically receiving the pink slip.

The common mistake that most people make is that the term burnout only refers to something quantifiable-such as the number of long, tiring and stressful hours one works, or when an individual“works himself/herself to death” at their respective jobs. That aspect of the conventional definition is a partial one at best, primarily due to a series of intangible factors that come into play as the culprit of one’s psychological, emotional, physical exhaustion, and possible mental breakdown arising from burnout on the job.

Michael Leiter, vice president of Acadia University in Nova Scotia and co-author of The Truth About Burnout, says that overload is a far cry from the main issue. The feelings of burnout which include but may not be limited to depression, loss of motivation, detachment/isolation, irritability, apathy, cynicism and learned helplessness do not occur overnight. The natural progression of burnout may seem very innocuous at first, causing one to overlook these subtle signs. If not dealt with properly in its early stages, the long term consequences of burnout can be grave, costing you a lot more than just your job, by specifically robbing you of your health, sanity, and emotional well being. Below are a few important, yet overlooked issues that Mr. Leiter delves into which address the primary reasons for the cause of burnout that one may come to experience on their job.

1. Autonomy in the Workplace-Do you feel that you are more, or less in control of your working environment in terms of being able to decide how to go about accomplishing something on a daily basis, and more importantly what exactly to do? Do you feel that you are micromanaged too closely? A loss of autonomy, and feeling dependent on others for decision making can render one completely psychologically ineffective, and insecure which can lead to a reduction of productivity on the job.
2. Internal Recognition-Do you feel appreciated and acknowledged on the job? Are you rewarded in any way for your accomplishments? Research has shown that these rewards are typically non-monetary, and that they can make or break one’s desire to leave the workplace.
3. Opportunities for Advancement-Do you feel that there is ample room for growth? Have you gotten a promotion, and if not, an adequate raise to show that you are valued in some capacity? Are you stifled, and intellectually stunted performing the same duties for over a year or so? Have you learned anything of value in terms of training? Do you feel as though you are contributing something for the better of the organization? The time might be ripe to do some reflection, and honestly assess your current job and/or career growth potential.
4. Relationships-Do you get along with your coworkers, and have good relationships with them? Do you respect one another while being able to cross pollinate with various departments to gain a better understanding of the organization as a whole? Are your colleagues receptive, amenable and supportive of your ideas and vision etc?
5. Incompatible Culture and Belief systems- Does your organization’s environment match, or at the very least complement, and reflect your personal value system? If you feel psychologically disconnected from your workplace, chances are your employment there will have a short shelf life.

In an article entitled Preventing Burnout: Signs, Symptoms, and Strategies to Avoid it, organizational research clearly shows that there is an important distinction between workplace stress, and workplace burnout. The two terms are not synonymous with one another. Workplace stress may be the result of feeling totally overwhelmed at work with too much responsibility, where if one can just get a sense of control over things they will feel better. The “stressful” feeling arises out of caring too much, and wanting to accomplish a lot because a vision is present nonetheless, and individuals are hopeful and positive of future outcomes. Workplace burnout is the result of not caring enough at all, and feeling helpless, and purposeless with no mission, despite a heavy workload. This automatically causes an individual to foresee a very bleak and dismal future for themselves, with no foreseeable or immediate improvement.

If you are experiencing signs of burnout that have lasted for 6 months or so, it may be time to quit while your ahead, and either take some time off to relax and decompress, or find another workplace; perhaps one whose ideals reflect those of your own. If one is not in a financial situation to quit, there are ways to improve one’s working ethos on a daily basis. Research shows that you may need to revisit, and clarify your job descriptions. Is there something you should be doing that is not on the list, and vice versa something extra you have been doing that has not received the proper attention it deserves? The same careful analysis goes with your duties. Have you talked to your supervisor about being given the opportunity to perform more creative/intellectual tasks, and less of the same repetitive mind numbing and monotonous ones? Have you used your allotted vacation time to take some time off to gain clarity, and recharge your batteries? You may need to distance or remove yourself from your workplace environment for a little while.

One can also learn to attack the stressor itself by engaging in stress reduction and management techniques assuming one cannot change his/her work environment. Research suggests alternative ways for replenishing ones depleted energy and mental exhaustion arising from a job. Simply reconnecting and nurturing your closest relationships with other individuals such as your spouse, children, and friends can be the light, fuel and panacea that will get you through your work day. Instead of focusing on how burned out you feel on the job, you will focus on something substantive, more positive, and genuine.

Developing a hobby or volunteering to a cause that is personally meaningful to you outside of work may help you feel good about yourself, and motivate you to help others. More importantly however, it will make you see things in a fresh perspective, and consequently your personal job situation might not be as bad as it seems in light of other unfortunate events in the world.

Practicing the art of effectively communicating, and releasing your emotions to those who really listen, understand and who are not judgmental can be very therapeutic as well. If one feels the need to connect with their colleagues at work in a social and casual environment, on or off site, one may certainly do so. Research states that one must be very aware of the state of mind of one’s coworkers’. The last thing you want to do is connect with people who are negative, and perhaps disrespectful of your own personal beliefs. Surrounding yourself on or off the job with those who are positive minded, and upbeat is the key. 

Burnout does not have to be an inevitable and detrimental consequence of the workplace. After all, the remedy might be in the palm of your hands, with the essential starting point being the wise perception and determination to take charge of your life goals-both personally and professionally.