Burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion caused by long-term exposure to stress. The results can include cynicism, exhaustion, and poor performance.
Signs of Burnout
Typical signs of burnout include:
- No desire to go to work
- Frequent absences
- Negative attitude
- Irritation due to colleagues, coworkers, or your manager
- Blaming others for mistakes
- Feelings of emptiness
- Lack of energy and engagement
- Withdrawal from colleagues and coworkers
- Lacking significance of contributions
- Headaches, backaches, illnesses, or other physical complaints
- Disconnection between what you currently do and what you want to do
- Desire to go home as soon as possible
- Thoughts of quitting
- Inability to sleep at night
Common Causes of Burnout
You might experience burnout for any of the following reasons:
- Lacking clear goals and job expectations.
- Desiring control over your workload.
- Feeling you do not have enough time to complete your tasks.
- Working with a dysfunctional team.
- Lacking support from your manager.
- Wanting recognition for your work.
- Experiencing a misalignment between your values and the company’s values.
Consequences of Burnout
The results of burnout often include:
- Reduced creativity
- Lack of engagement
- Higher absenteeism
- Lower productivity
- Negative career impact
- Disruption of personal relationships
- Significant health problems
Try any of these three ways to better avoid burnout in the workplace.
1. Talk with Your Manager
Consider exactly what is increasing your stress level and causing burnout. Then, schedule a time to talk with your manager about your issues.
For instance, if you feel a lack of autonomy, you could request more control over your tasks, projects, and deadlines. Or, if you lack adequate time to complete your work, you could request help with time management and task prioritization.
2. Implement Stress Management Techniques
Find methods to reduce your stress level throughout the day. Examples include:
- Write down the causes of stress when you experience them.
- Practice mindfulness, deep breathing, or meditation to maintain calm in stressful situations.
- Refocus your thoughts to include more positive ideas that support relaxation.
3. Look for a New Job
Think about exactly what causes you significant stress at work. Then, write down what you would like in your next company and role to better avoid burnout in the workplace. Use your findings to search for a job and organization that fits your needs and interests.
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