What is Burnout?
What is Burnout?
Everyone is talking about burnout, but what definition are they using?
If the definition of burnout doesn't include factoring in the entirety of what a person is currently experiencing in their life, then the suggested treatment options based on that definition may not be helpful.
Let's talk about it...
According to the World Health Organization:
"Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion;
increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job;
and reduced professional efficacy.
Burn-out refers specifically to phenomena in the occupational context and should not be applied to describe experiences in other areas of life."
As one would expect from such a definition, their prevention tips are only suggestions about how business leaders may reduce workplace stress. No tips are offered for employees currently challenged by burnout.
WHO's definition also implies that if you are experiencing these things without earning a paycheck, then you can't be burned out.
This is just one example of work being defined as separate from life. As though when you enter the job space, you stop being yourself.
Isn't work part of life?
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, used by mental health workers, has been updated three times since I began studying it. These guidelines are regularly updated. Let's use them for what they are: the consensus of what is generally understood today.
These are not solid concepts like gravity.
So how do you treat burnout?
The quick answer is to keep your definition of "burnout" present for you. Your best varies from day to day, let alone from year to year. What you were able to handle last year, might not be what you are able to handle at this moment.
Here is a quick way to adjust your workload to your current best which will help you prevent/relieve burnout:
Describe: Write down your entire to-do list - work and personal life.
Delete: Cross off any task that doesn't have to be completed in the next 90 days.
Delegate: Assess each task and if it doesn't have to be completed by you, delegate it to someone who can complete it on your behalf.
Delay: Looking at your remaining tasks, can some of these be delayed? If so, go ahead and schedule them for a later date.
Do: These are your next steps!
Need some clarity on your next best steps? Schedule a Clarity Call with me.
Ready to end the cycle of overwhelm and burnout? Add some new tools to your toolbox.
