Are you burned out? Would you know it if you were?
You’d better, because burnout can affect more than just your job. It can cause excessive stress (tough on the heart), insomnia, unhealthy weight changes, depression, or anxiety; it can also lead to substance abuse and spark problems with your relationships or home life.
Sadly, it’s a common malady, especially among high achievers, and it’s not a new problem. In a 2002 Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) poll, 67 percent of respondents said their personal energy levels were near or at burnout level. In 2006, respondents to another SHRM poll listed “burnout from current job” as the #7 reason for leaving their current positions.
Many of us are working harder than ever these days, as we’re asked to pull more than our share in the wake of belt-tightening campaigns, layoffs, and corporate streamlining. And while there are some benefits to shouldering a greater workload (enjoying more visibility, gaining new skills, laying a foundation for a career advancement or change), the dangers of burnout shouldn’t be ignored.
So how can you tell if you’re burned out rather than just tired and cranky? Here are some of the typical warning signs, according to the Mayo Clinic and CareerBuilder:
- You’re increasingly cynical, critical, irritable, or sarcastic at work
- You feel you lack the energy to be consistently productive
- You feel disillusioned about your job
- You find yourself using alcohol, drugs, or food to self-medicate and feel better
- Your sleep habits or appetite have changed
- You arrive consistently late to work, or call in sick when you’re healthy
- Time drags and you’re constantly clock-watching
- Your friends, family, or co-workers have expressed concern
If this sounds like you, it’s time to take action. Later this week, I’ll take a look at some things you can do to help combat burnout on the job.
(image by Lori Hersberger via Flickr, CC 2.0)
