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The Soul of our work is integrity -
a joyful expression of life that brings insight and understanding.
We help people untangle difficult situations and enjoy
emotional maturity.
What happens in Burnout?
Bodies, minds and emotions can't burn out. Physical,
mental or emotional burnout imply physical or mental fatigue or a feeling
of approaching overtiredness or even collapse. These terms often describe people
who hide their exhaustion until they suffer a crisis. Weaker people don't
burn out - they quit!
Physical, mental or emotional exhaustion may
include a temporary loss of or damage to personality. This may be seen as
frustration, depression, confusion, exhaustion and / or anxiety. Burnout
can be disturbing, disorienting and frightening.
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I am a schoolteacher ... some of my colleagues
are burned out ... once they were idealists but now they just wait to retire ...
Some hate their work, and some even hate children ... but they don't want to lose
their seniority or pensions by doing something different. BC, Canada |
Depression, confusion or anxiety often accompanies a sense
of exhaustion that may last for years. Many people live in this state of
exhaustion - disliking their work or their lives but too tired to change
anything. You probably know people in this situation ... see
Identity Loss and
Chronic Fatigue.
Warning Signs of Burn-Out
Are you in personal or professional situations that have
high responsibilities and little authority. Are you in demanding relationships
where you must give and give - and you cannot receive? Part of burnout may be
with your situation and relationships, and part with your motivations and your
goals. Some warning signs can alert you to a coming crisis - and your need for
change.
- you feel exhausted
- you feel helpless and frustrated
- you feel depressed and isolated
- you feel disillusioned with your life
- you lose commitment to your work
- you damage or destroy relationships
- you cannot cope with your responsibilities
- you become cynical with colleagues and clients
- you feel anger and want to blame people for your state
- you increase your consumption of alcohol, food or drugs
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Your article describes me and my co-workers
in our human resources department. I was so idealistic and now I am so frustrated
with bungee managers and office politics. I want to leave, but my pay is good and
I don't have the energy to change my career. Montreal, Canada |
If you notice any of these signs in yourself, perhaps
arrange peaceful talks with people you can trust. (If you use an organization's
employee-assistance program, your personnel file may forever include
summaries of your concerns,
and this information may not be used to your advantage).
Stress & Emotional Burnout
Anxiety, stress and depression can occur when you hide your
emotions during lasting stress. You may feel on the edge of a collapse. Burnout
symptoms occur when you feel that you have no choice.
You may want to react to stressful situations by either getting
away from the situation or fighting back. If you cannot run away or fight back,
you may force yourself to stay. Your stress increases. The same thing might happen
at home, or in your close relationships. You can change your relationships or
learn to cope with stress. Avoid going from feeling overwhelmed to
nervous breakdown.
The causes of burnout include chronic health problems
resulting from unhealthy practices. To avoid these, you can eat healthier. You can exercise for about half
hour at least 3 times a week. You can get appropriate sleep. You can avoid
alcohol and illegal drugs. You can take vacations. You can learn how to
relax. You can build and enjoy better relationships.
Coping with fatigue and stress means learning how to
communicate better. We can coach you to change destructive habits and
complex relationship problems.
Who Burns Out?
Research shows three causes of occupational and professional
burnout: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal
accomplishment (Maslach et. al. 2001), although some people may simply be
chronically ill, with symptoms worsened by stress and lack of sleep.
People who complain of burnout often seem to be either
people pleasing and/or super-responsible. A People Pleaser
may focus on being nice and not offending anyone. A Super-Responsible
person may be seen as control-freak, perfectionist or
workaholic.
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I tried to transform my
medical clinic into a holistic health center ... I worked endless hours for three years
... I wrecked my marriage and my health ... I am the owner and
founder but I could not persuade our doctors to create my dream clinic ... and yes, I burned out. |
There are better solutions than exhausting yourself ...
systemic solutions.
Solutions for Burnout: Anxiety, Stress and Depression
Do you obsess with pleasing other people? Are you disillusioned
with your life? Do you get little
emotional value from it? Do you only go to work for money to pay your bills? A
vacation may be a temporary solution, but if you lose passion and commitment,
you may become depressed.
You can do nothing - or you can change your life. Fatigue and
burnout may be only temporary setbacks if you can improve your relationships and
emotional reactions ...
- Do NOTHING: If you do nothing about your tiredness,
you risk becoming bitter and angry as opportunities pass you by. Your
organization may regard you as useless - if you do not change, your
motivation and productivity may
continue to decline or you may face dismissal.
- Change your JOB: If you change your job within
your profession you can probably transfer your skills and your experience.
You can re-inspire yourself and start fresh. Job change may be appropriate
if you are disillusioned with your boss or your colleagues. Yet you risk
the same situation again: understand what caused you to burn out, and
plan to do things differently.
- Change your CAREER: If your values changed since
entering your profession, then career change may be more appropriate,
although you may lose some of the benefit of your skills and experience.
(If you change profession, be prepared to compete with younger people
who will accept lower salaries.)
- Change your SELF: You can
use fatigue and burnout as motivation ... as a kick-start to re-evaluate how
you want to live your life and choose what you want to achieve.
Let Burnout motivate Emotional Maturity
Talk to people who have experience with burnout (you may find our
coaching helpful). Identify harmful assumptions and thinking habits. Discuss your
situation in detail with friends, examining your circumstances, workload, actions,
the actions of other people and your consequences.
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The path, means and goal of our systemic coaching ...
and perhaps of our lives is ...
emotional maturity. |
If you were committed enough to burn out, you have probably
tried to resolve your situation. You made some mistakes, and so did some people
around you. It may be time to learn that ...
- You are not superhuman
- Not all mentoring benefits you
- Hard work does not solve all problems
- Most success includes quality relationships
- Be skeptical when you assess new situations
- You can inspire people with a balanced, happy life
- Learn from consequences and avoid repeating
mistakes
- Your commitment - no matter how intense - is not enough
- Develop your ability to recognize and communicate
problems
- Too much positive thinking can have unpleasant
consequences
Set your life goals and plan ways to achieve them. If your plan
includes changing your job or career, do this after careful planning,
rather than running away from a disliked job or person. Develop a healthy lifestyle to
help avoid future exhaustion, fatigue and burnout. Strive to be happy.
Online Coaching for Burned Out People
Plagiarism is theft. Copyright ©
Martyn Carruthers 2004-2012 All rights reserved.
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