Are you burned out, or is it something else?

Whether we feel the pressure of an impending deadline, the strain of a strained work relationship, or the exacerbated stress of a myriad of work problems, lack of commitment is inevitable. When those feelings associated with work stress become debilitating, we often automatically jump into labeling our experience as exhaustion. But not all feelings associated with work-related stress are compatible with full-blown psychological burnout syndrome. Examining and characterizing your feelings of stress are the first and most important steps in reaching the support that will be most helpful given your unique experience. The authors offer three questions to ask to help you determine if the feelings you are experiencing are consistent with burnout or if it is something less serious that could lead to burnout if left unchecked.

Feeling a little disconnected at work isn't just common; It's normal. Whether we experience the pressure of an impending deadline, the stress of a strained work relationship, or the exacerbated stress of a myriad of work problems, lack of commitment is inevitable.

However, when those stressful feelings become debilitating, we often automatically jump into labeling our experience as exhaustion. But not all feelings associated with work-related stress are compatible with this condition. In one of our unpublished and ongoing research studies (by Kandi) of highly stressed leaders, there is strong evidence to suggest that long-term exposure to extreme work-related stressors is not always correlated with psychological burnout syndrome. overt.

So how can you learn to tell the difference?

Examining and characterizing your feelings of stress are the first and most important steps in reaching the support that will be most helpful given your unique experience. To help you determine if your feelings are consistent with burnout, or if it's something less serious that could lead to burnout if left unchecked, consider the following question: Do you have a migraine or is it just a headache?

When we interview or train leaders who are exhausted, they often say experience is the difference between these two conditions. Like migraines, burnout isn't just a little pain or irritation that disrupts the day; often involves significant functional limitations. It can be excruciating and debilitating, causing feelings of intense emotional exhaustion, extreme cynicism, and minimal professional effectiveness. It is extremely important to determine if you have burnout as it is associated with an increased risk of serious medical problems such as atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol which can lead to long-term coronary heart disease.

Furthermore, since burnout is really an organizational problem and not just the result of a lack of self-care, interventions to address it are more complex and require strategies that go beyond those commonly prescribed, such as "exercise more" or "exercise more". more". "sleep better." Determining if you are experiencing exhaustion will not only provide you with insights into your personal work experience, but will also help you support profound organizational changes to support the well-being of your colleagues and your overall organizational culture.

If it's not burnout, then what is it?

While some of the highly stressed leaders in Kandi's studies have expressed a total lack of commitment, the vast majority of them are not exhausted. Instead, they experience strong feelings associated with just one of the symptoms of burnout, which results in an experience of ineffectiveness, disconnection, or excessive extension.

Based on Kandi's research, you may be experiencing one of these feelings and not full blown burnout syndrome. Consider the following questions for clarity.

Do you feel you deserve more?

If you feel undervalued, undervalued, or taken for granted, you may not feel as effective at work as you think. Few things are more demoralizing in a professional environment than working hard and going unnoticed. These feelings are usually the result of an absence of extrinsic reinforcement: a feeling worthy of greater recognition and / or respect from others.

If you feel generally busy and not emotionally drained or pessimistic, you are most likely experiencing feelings of ineffectiveness rather than exhaustion. Researchers say that feelings of ineffectiveness have less to do with stressors and more to do with a lack of positive work qualities, such as appreciation, meaning, autonomy and helpful feedback, to name a few. To increase your sense of effectiveness, consider asking your boss for a more challenging or meaningful job, more independence, and feedback that shows that he cares about your development.

Do you often think, "I didn't sign up for that"?

If you're often disappointed in your job or wondering if you're in the right place, chances are you're experiencing feelings of detachment. For example, one of our coaching clients, Casey,* loved working for a small startup. She felt challenged, had the flexibility she needed to care for her two small children, and saw a direct link between her work and a positive impact on the organization's customers. But when she learned that they had been acquired by a much larger company, she began to detach completely from the direction she thought the organization was headed.

Organizational psychologists call this a breach of the psychological contract. People like Casey who are disinterested in the job are generally able to handle the demands of the job and are usually confident in their abilities. Instead, their stress comes from feeling out of alignment with the values of the organization, culture, other employees, or the profession itself. If that's you, consider giving the situation a little more time before deciding to look for another job. And don't forget to use your emotional intelligence to embrace the changes that come with psychological breaches of contract.

Do you work to keep up or do you work to escape?

If you feel emotionally drained, but generally have a positive attitude toward work, you are likely experiencing feelings of overwork caused by overwork. One of our coaching clients, Lance,* is a dedicated physician who enjoys his job but feels exhausted by long hours and insufficient time to recover. People like Lance often feel fulfilled and engaged in their work, but they are also incredibly tired. Lance's psychological experience is one of overload, and this is different from feeling both exhausted and cynical, two fundamental symptoms of burnout.

It's no secret that overwork can lead to burnout. The hardest part is determining what, or really who, is sending the applications. Burnout is caused by overload in the workplace, where the demands of the job exceed the available resources.

Self-imposed job demands lead to a different phenomenon. Work addiction, commonly referred to as a workaholic, isn't always a bad thing, especially if you love your job. However, if you're not careful, you can become addicted to compulsive work, often in an attempt to escape emotional stress. If left unchecked, the workaholic could be associated with a number of serious health consequences, including an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes. If you find yourself working too hard, try setting a specific goal for how many hours a day you will work, find a hobby or enjoyable non-work activity, or learn a new skill.

Workplace stressors are an inevitable part of the professional experience, and making us aware of our feelings prevents us from being overwhelmed by work demands. By examining our internal experiences, we can accurately label our feelings and seek the help and support we need to remain resilient, steadfast, and committed to pursuing our professional passions.