Do you remember what you originally wanted to be when you grew up?
I wonder how many of us are doing the work that is our purpose at this level of existence?
One thing is certain: Regardless of what it is that we once dreamed of becoming in life, none of us aspired to become:
- One of the 70% of US employees (or 86% of global employees) that are not “engaged” at work, that is, who are clocking in and out, just getting by, and dreading Mondays.
- One of the 75% of us that regularly experience symptoms of stress: sleep deprivation, irritability, exhaustion, depression, anxiety, over-medication, or drinking alcohol at the end of the day to relax.
- One of us who has experienced irreversible body function and/or organ damage as a result of chronic stress.
- One of us who feel frazzled and burned out.
How did we get here and why are so many of us suffering at work? Considering we spend so much of our life at work, isn’t it time we invest our energy in solving this problem?
Once upon a time – The beginning of our relationship with burnout
When I was a young child, I dreamed of “uncovering what is toxic to humans and discovering the antidote for it.” I wanted to become a writer that told the world stories about “ending pain and suffering.”
But I was told that writing and telling stories were hobbies and that I should choose to become something significant, like a scientist.
I was such a little artist at heart. I loved photography, and I played the piano and sang, but the message was clear—none of those things were good enough for me to be considered a success in the world.
My parents, to this day, are “life of the party” kind of folks, having social gatherings with my dad’s famous guitar and singing performances that last till the early hours of the morning.
My father, however, gave up his passion for music and a record deal to become a good family man and provider.
See, my dad was not Carl Jung! (The father of psychoanalysis and the theory of individuation).
My father, like most of us, did not realize that we tend to stash away the parts of ourselves that are not reflected by the environment, which predisposes our brain to seek external approval in order to be accepted and rewarded.
Seeking external approval to feel “good enough” is the beginning of the problem!
Instead of practicing self-care and having healthy boundaries and true work life balance, we work around the clock, sacrifice our sleep on red eye flights, give up family time to work late, because that is what “professionals on a mission do, right?”
Disengagement and burnout, are a real threat to the health of individuals and organizations.
Contrary to our shame about being among the large percentage of professionals who are disengaged or burned out, research is showing that it is, in fact, the high performers who are more prone to these real threats to productivity and health. In fact, a 2013 Harvard study reflects that 96% of senior leaders report feeling burned out.
Disengagement and burnout are two of the most devastating threats to individual and organizational health. In the US alone, disengagement is costing employers over $350 billion in loss of productivity and absenteeism.
What does burnout look like and how does it relate to disengagement?
Burnout is a collection of symptoms that develop over time when work demands exceed the ability of the individual to meet them while maintaining internal balance.
Disengagement is a state of employees characterized by unhappiness and dissatisfaction at work.
Both disengagement and burnout have been proven to poison and impact every part of a person’s life, above and beyond their work. Along with their cousin, stress, which has the same fundamental origin, they can interchange with each other.
Here is a list of some warnings that you may be on the brink of burnout.
- You feel emotionally, physically, and spiritually drained.
We all work long hours and feel tired at the end of the day. But there is a difference between the sweet tiredness of a good day’s work and the exhaustion that you can’t seem to shake off.
- You have a hard time sleeping. (Especially on Sunday nights!)
Sleep is so essential to our health, happiness, and well-being. But when we live two-thirds of our life doing something we don’t feel happy about, a constant dread deprives us of even the most basic of human needs—our need to restore and reset through a good night’s sleep.
- Your performance is suffering. You have been a consistent top performer, won the MVP, and a myriad of other awards. Yet, suddenly, you feel ineffective, and you are losing your confidence.
- You are feeling anxious. Far from the heartbeat of excitement, you are starting to feel heart palpitations, dizziness, difficulty concentrating, and an ongoing sense of doom. Anxiety is not the price you have to pay to be a successful professional and can seriously impact your health in the long run.
- Irritability and anger/hostility. Small bursts of frustration and occasional feelings of anger are common human emotions. But are you finding yourself snapping often at people in your personal and professional life? It could be a sign that your thinking brain is turned off and you are operating from your primitive brain that only knows how to fight to keep you safe!
Take a moment to reflect. Do you suffer from any of the signs and symptoms above?
Now, I want you to think of a different scenario.
Imagine waking up tomorrow morning feeling refreshed, energized, and excited about your workday ahead.
You are living your values, and your work has meaning and purpose.
You feel a great sense of safety and security and are comfortable speaking your mind eloquently and assertively at work.
Your decisions are centered and driven by the mutual value of creating a healthy reality for both your body and the profit margin of your organization.
Your voice is heard and valued by your leaders. Beyond mission statements that focus on the lives your organization serves, your life matters to your employer.
Does this scenario sound like a pipe dream?
If it does, let it be a wake-up call.
It may be time to take some steps today to avoid or overcome burnout.
I will post my favorite Burnout Busters from the Employee Perspective next week.
You can sign up here http://bit.ly/JoinMyndZen to become part of my community and my mission to eliminate burnout and disengagement through improving our relationship with stress.
Until next time, take good care of yourself.
Tzeli