Burnout is not that simple.
Burnout And Creativity
Burnout is often work-related because we are increasingly expected to be not only highly creative but also highly productive – like creativity machines. Robert Fritz, author of the bestseller, The Path of Least Resistance, writes that when we are creating there are two parts to the process: Both parts of the process are necessary and support each other. Our fast-paced economic system keeps many of us stuck in the stretch phase of creating. If you are stretching and not consolidating, you are headed for burnout.
What Is Burnout?
Burnout is not just an emotional problem. Merriam-Webster defines burnout as: Burnout usually occurs for one of two reasons: Over the past 50 years rest has acquired a bad reputation. You can rest when you are dead is how the thinking goes. However, work and rest are two complementary sides of the same cycle and they enhance each other. We know this intuitively because we love getting a good night’s sleep after a day of positive and productive work and love going to work when we feel refreshed and on top of our game. When the cycle is working well we feel positive momentum; when not, we feel drained. Burnout can also occur when: When we are well we can withstand some turbulence in our lives. When rough spots last too long they start to debilitate us. Life is not meant to be a long emergency.
Assessing Burnout Potential In Your Life
To assess burnout potential in your life, evaluate each aspect of your life below on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being low in stress and burnout potential and 10 being extreme burnout potential. There are no right answers and no score to determine your burnout potential. Your assessment is a map of your current situation so that you can easily get a high level view of your current situation. With your assessment in hand, it might be useful to consider whether your burnout challenges are people challenges, time management challenges, or a need to develop skills. Sometimes we lack a skill set that could make our life easier, save time and reduce stress.
Steps To Prevent Burnout
There are many things you can do to prevent burnout: Everyone’s life matters and everyone deserves to enjoy their life. Accept the reality of change and plan to be resilient but also make sure you can say no. You do not have to carry the world on your shoulders. When you are proactive, flexible, mindful about commitments and take excellent care of yourself you are doing what is necessary to beat burnout. Good luck! (Photo credit: Burnt Match Between New Matchsticks via Shutterstock)
