About this Article
Learn more about what burnout is, some eye-opening stat, and realistic tips and tricks to manage it.
Let’s be upfront about the fact that the title of this blog is something of a misnomer. The truth is, it’s hard to be productive when you’re experiencing burnout from work, and productivity can’t always be our end goal.
Of course, not being productive doesn’t always feel like an option in a capitalistic society like the one we live in; one that praises people for working overtime and where going above and beyond the call of duty is a simple bullet of any job description.
To be productive when you’re experiencing burnout from work, we need to take a step back and understand it—what burnout is, what causes it, and ultimately, how to beat it so we can get back to a place where our bodies and minds can be productive once again.
We know intuitively when “burnout” is the best way to describe how we’re feeling, and we understand exactly what they’re saying when a friend or colleague tells us they’re burned out. But what exactly does burnout mean?
The term burnout was coined in the 1970s by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. The tricky thing about burnout is that experts don’t always agree on what it means which can make it difficult to diagnose. However, there are a few common characteristics of burnout that nearly all definitions share. They are:
If the definition of burnout resonates with you, you’re not alone. Here are a few quick burnout facts to show you that, while we may not all have the same definition of burnout, it sure is common to feel it.
OK, it’s time for the news you may not want to hear. The true way to beat burnout is to take a break (a real one). This, of course, is not always realistic for many reasons. If sitting on your couch watching Netflix for a few days or a week without WiFi feels like an untenable fantasy, let’s take a look at some actionable ways to gradually beat burnout that you can start today.
If you want to fully understand the stress cycle and how it impacts us, check out Burnout in our further learning section. In the book, Emily and Amelia Nagoski write, “While you’re managing the day’s stressors, your body is managing the day’s stress. It’s essential to your well-being that you give your body the resources it needs to complete the stress response cycles that have been activated.” We wrote about the best tools for completing the stress cycle here, so you can test and learn what works best for you.
If you’re reading this article, you’re likely a high achiever. Often burnout looks like: you’re in a cycle of stress, because of this stress/burnout you aren’t able to produce your best work, you then feel guilty because you aren’t producing your best work and begin to berate yourself, which is counterproductive to doing great work. Sound familiar? It’s time to redefine a successful day in your mind.
It can be scary (and even feel inauthentic) to hold ourselves to different standards than we’re used to. First, remember this is temporary. You aren’t permanently lowering your standards; you aren’t foregoing your identity as an ambitious person forever. But for right now, it’s critical to take a step back and think about what you can stop doing and where you can slow down.
What if, instead of metrics and external praise, you thought of success by new measurements? Perhaps some like:
Some of these “metrics” may make you shudder, but remember it’s that resistance that contributed to feeling burned out in the first place. Even temporarily shifting your goals and thinking of success differently can help you fight burnout.
You’re not alone in experiencing burnout, and you don’t have to overcome it by yourself. There are plenty of coaches and therapists who specialize in burnout, and even just having a weekly appointment can help you hold yourself accountable to change. It may also be helpful for you to find a community group that helps you shift your focus elsewhere—like a local gym, a book club, a co-working or networking group, or a volunteer organization.
And if you don’t know where to start, well, that’s burnout! When you’re stressed and exhausted, it can be difficult to know where exactly to focus your energy and attention. At MYNDY, we know that tiny mental movements each day can lead to behavioral shifts that help beat burnout. We also believe in celebrating big and small wins, so if you’re looking for a community to help you beat burnout, you’ve come to the right place.
“Burnout is the result of too much energy output and not enough energy self-invested.” – Melissa Steginus
What is one thing - that last 2 minutes - that you can do each day to maximize your emotional energy, connection to your “why” at work, or increase your sense of accomplishment?
With Heart,
The MYNDY Team
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Resources and Further Learning:
