The word burnout is a scary word, especially for entrepreneurs, independent professionals, and contractors. Certainly, employees seek their space in the burnout hell world as well.
However, burnout is a word that has been co-opted for many things other than work – which is how the WHO – classifies this word.
“‘The World Health Organization (WHO) says that burnout is included in the 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) as an occupational phenomenon. It is not classified as a medical condition. It is described in the chapter:
‘Factors influencing health status or contact with health services’ – which includes reasons for which people contact health services but that are not classed as illnesses or health conditions.
Burn-out is defined as follows:
“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.’”
To simplify this conversation, burnout is about you and your work. Other uses of the word may represent precursors to burnout such as having a foggy brain, being angry, detachment in personal relationships or even getting fat.
Some things to ask yourself are:
- Are you working more now and enjoying it less?
- Are you running out of time each and every day to complete your projects?
- Is your search for success not only become more meaningless but also less rewarding financially?
- Have you stopped caring?
There are many studies that say burnout is a thing (see above re WHO). We ignore work burnout at our own risk. Some of my entrepreneurial clients work just as hard to avoid burnout as to stay in the fire and flames. It’s a different type of work to remove yourself from the burnout slide.
If you are an entrant into the Field of Burnout, you need better than good coping skills. You must put yourself first, last, and always. Accept responsibility for who you are and what you do. Maintain your positive energy levels and remain optimistic. Create a strong foundation.
As stress starts its way into your body, heart, and mind, another plan is about to go into effect. It all starts with you.
When you find yourself tired all the time, then turning into a fire-eating dragon on the way to physical illness, it is time to just stop. Regroup yet do not quit. Quitting is way too easy. If you catch yourself packing your suitcase and looking for a new place to live, stop. When you have constant headaches, seek to isolate yourself (as if we need more reasons to quarantine)) and feel empty inside, again, it is time to stop.
Contact me if you want a complimentary Laser Session. If not, create your own plan, mail it to me and I will provide feedback.
Take care,
Joanne
Many thanks, Dennis Pitocco for posting my view of burnout, i.e. burnout hell!