Let’s face it…work burnout is real and is hitting differently in 2024.
In the last few years, disengaged employees were said to be ‘quiet quitting.’ The phenomenon of employees seeming to do the bare minimum day-to-day; putting as little effort into their work as possible without actually not doing their jobs. No longer participating in the adage of ‘go above and beyond’ in hopes of being treated well by your company, but with no guarantee of how that appreciation will be reciprocated—an approach older generations deemed to be the norm in exchange for perpetual employment. In the eyes of management, this younger workforce had no interest in appearing impressive or ambitious. In reality, the current workforce is just emotionally, intellectually and physically spent after these last few years and are not adjusting well to companies’ attempting to get back to ‘business as usual.’
Burnout can come in many forms. Some get burned out when feeling like they aren’t challenged enough at work; doing the same tasks day in and day out; not being appreciated, or lose interest in their work all together. Others may feel neglected; not provided the right tools/support to meet the demands of their work. This can lead to helplessness, stress and loss of motivation. Then there are those who are simply overloaded. Their bandwidth is maxed out, they are under extreme pressure to perform; they hold themselves to impossible standards leading them to immense stress, working long hours and taking no time to take care of their own mental and physical health.
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight nor in a vacuum. There are many factors from the job itself that contribute to this. If an employee’s role is ambiguous and aren’t given clear goals and expectations, that can cause anxiety and stress and won’t set up that employee for success. Another factor is a toxic work environment. Back biting, gossip, being over competitive and poor interpersonal dynamics can make team members stressed, frustrated, and disengaged. And of course, issues with leadership. If those who are expected to lead by example are not providing the team with the support they need; not listening to their concerns nor working towards solutions to make things better, employees will feel abandoned and lose all motivation to be productive for a company that won’t invest in their needs.
All of these factors amount to employees draining their professional batteries leaving them unsure on how to get that enthusiasm back. With the job market itself in states of ebb and flow, now is the best time to the reset button, find that balance again and get excited about the future. There are a few things you can try to battle burnout during this new era of work and hopefully find joy again in your 9 to 5…
1) Focus on what you can control: This starts with a conversation with your manager. Be transparent about your workload and stress levels and see if you can come to a solution together on making the necessary adjustments to help you become more balanced and reduce your stress. Start with things you can control like your schedule or your environment and build from there. Keeping the lines of communication open with your manager is key to addressing issues early and quickly so they don’t snowball, you reach a breaking point, and now it’s even harder to get back to healthy balance.
2) Find your ‘thing’ that gives you an endorphin boost: Doing an activity outside of work that you enjoy is essential for your emotional and physical recovery. Make time for a hobby, exercise, socializing with loved ones…make space for joy to help reduce your stress level and brighten your mood; you deserve it! And don’t forget…TAKE THAT PTO!
3) Set clear boundaries and stick by them: The word NO is a complete sentence, remember that. Set limits on your work hours. Sometimes it is necessary to do a long day to get important things done, but mindful of the hours your putting in and know when it’s time to just leave it until the next day. Protect your personal time and keep it sacred.
4) Get some sleep, seriously: Doom scrolling through social media is tempting at 11:30pm at night, but prioritize that shut eye. Find ways to quiet your mind and make room for actual sleep. Allow yourself to reset your body and recover from the day’s stress so you can feel refreshed and ready to tackle the next day.
5) Take breaks (yes, multiple) throughout your day: Break up your day. Take a few minutes to get up from your desk/computer/work station. Step outside, get fresh air…just disconnect for a bit. Taking breaks wards off fatigue and helps maintain productivity.
6) Keep your options open: Sometimes a job just doesn’t work out and that’s ok. If you believe you’ve reached the end of your rope and there isn’t an option of recovery, that’s your sign that it’s time to move on. Seek out opportunities that serve you well professionally, mentally and emotionally. It may not happen right away; don’t give up hope. You’ll find your fit soon enough.