Burning Out – How did we get here?

Burnout is like that annoying ex who keeps popping up uninvited. One moment you're cruising and the next, you're a zombie in a productivity nightmare; for it becomes a cycle that’s impossible to break.

It sounds a bit like a dystopian nightmare when considering the modern work day; no physical separation between work and home, constant tech overload and unrealistic deadlines. We live in an era where the average person checks their phone 58 times a day.  That's the perfect storm for burnout.

Or an alternate view; or is there too much busyness?

We need to take control. One approach is cure, one is prevention.  One is preparedness and the other, costly recovery.  We all know which people head towards.

The Beast Named Burnout

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress, often preceded by feelings of hopelessness, detachment, and being overwhelmed. The World Health Organization categorises it as poorly managed  “an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress”.

As the stoic philosopher Epictetus wisely said, "It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Understanding this can be the first step toward managing burnout.  Well, I don’t often challenge the stoics, but I reckon it’s the first reaction; but we had the chance to prepare.

A tale of 2 extremes

It was in the second half of 2022 and I sat with the senior managers at a large IT company in India with a 20 year heritage. We spoke about what we had seen unfold. Through 2020 and beyond.

Many companies had decided to invest their money in digital infrastructure and another IT boom for India began. At one stage there was 24% more jobs than there were skilled people able to fill them.

The freshers struggled

At one end we had the university graduates who had qualified in 2020. The start of their career began when a delivery package arrived with their new laptop. They logged on, spent the next few hours and weeks onboarding and began working without meeting their co-workers or sitting next to their managers.  They were left to largely develop their own work skills and ethics.

Work was just an extension of university; no work from home skills, limited guidance, limited output. After six months the first performance review would roll around. Pressure mounted and they began to check the job market. They applied for another job, got a 25% payrise, the delivery man picked up one laptop and dropped off another one and their new job began.

But had not delivered any value.

For some this went on for two years,  creating directionless careers. They also had no intention of coming into the office and no one could make them.

But the seniors boomed

But the senior managers who had long strived for work life balance and suddenly had it. Up at 6 AM, check in with the Australian clients, clear the email, breakfast at home, three more hours work, play with the kids, two hours work, lunch, work with the UK clients, a walk with a loved one, two hours more work, dinner, check in with the US clients.

Productivity soared. More exercise, more family time, getting heaps of work done, connected with the global client base.

But the connection got them. Their minds were on the job from 6 AM to 10 PM. Then it also started on weekends, the lines between home and office became blurred. Responsible, productive, they charged on, but 70+ hours a week of mind on the job again taking its toll.

They found themselves wondering why? In 2023 Mental Health America found that 83% of workers were emotionally drained by their work ; a precursor to burnout.

The Perfect Storm: Causes of Burnout

Several factors contribute to burnout, such as the lack of work-life balance, increased reliance on technology, and pressures from management and peers.

“The hustle culture glorifies busyness, leading to unrealistic expectations and deadlines.“

According to Deloitte’s in 2022, nearly 50% of workers feel overwhelmed by their workloads.

Burnout wreaks havoc, on both personal and professional lives. It leads to chronic fatigue, insomnia, decreased productivity, and strained relationships. The American Institute of Stress costs it as a  $300 million burden on the US economy through absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity, medical, legal, and insurance costs.

So, how do we combat this beast?

Here are some strategies - hint – they all involve investing in you. Small, regular resets that let off steam and reinvigorate the mind and body.  

Mental Fitness Is the Answer to Burnout

Just prior to the pandemic I met Paul Taylor from MindBodyBrain. He put together a small resilient mind quest for a number of my colleagues and business partners in India. Paul then ran a resilient mind quest for 70 athletes in karate Victoria, including myself, who had seen our martial arts dreams evaporate.

But the biggest proof in the pudding came when I sponsored Paul to run a resilient mind quest to support over 1,000  travel agents facing unprecedented stress and uncertainty. Over 400 completed the whole program embracing cold showers, mindfulness, increased exercise, gratitude, journalling and logging over 135,000 healthy habits

 The results were astounding – the full results are here https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/aftas-resilient-mind-program-yields-huge-results/

-          350% improvement in the number of people with high mental well-being

-          low levels of well-being dropped from 49% to just 9%

Mental Fitness works

Time to Act: Your Burnout Antidote

If you're feeling the burn (pun intended), time to move. Start small: unplug , take a walk, or simply breathe. Reach out, seek help, and prioritize your mental health.  Focus on what truly matters – your health, your happiness, and your well-being. Make the necessary changes to lead a balanced and fulfilling life.

Burnout is a significant issue affecting many professionals today. By understanding its causes, recognizing its effects, and implementing strategies to combat it, we can reclaim our well-being and productivity. Remember, it's not about eliminating stress but managing it effectively. Let's take the first step towards a healthier, burnout-free life.

References

- World Health Organization. "Burnout an 'Occupational Phenomenon': International Classification of Diseases." 2019.

- Gallup. "State of the Global Workplace: 2023 Report." 2023.

- Deloitte. "Workplace Burnout Survey." 2022.

- Harvard Business Review. "The Cost of Burnout in the Workplace." 2019.

- American Institute of Stress. "Workplace Stress Statistics." 2023.

- Mental Health America. "Mind the Workplace 2023 Report." 2023.

- Indeed India. "Workplace Stress and Burnout Survey." 2022.

- Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. "Stress and Burnout among IT Professionals in India." 2022.

- National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences. "Mental Health Report 2023." 2023.

- Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. "Mental Health Services in Australia." 2023.

- Australian Medical Association. "Burnout Among Healthcare Professionals." 2022.

- Beyond Blue. "Workplace Mental Health Survey." 2023.

- Australian Council of Trade Unions. "Workplace Burnout and Mental Health." 2022.