There are 3 factors that most researchers agree, combine to create burnout. Emotional exhaustion, a feeling of reduced personal accomplishment, and a sense of depersonalization. Alarmingly, burnout is a growing condition that’s been fueled by a year of disruption and uncertainty. While these three contributing factors can be difficult enough to contend with on their own—when combined, overcoming burnout can feel like a heroic effort.
The good news is that there are a few simple actions we can take to help mitigate the side-effects of burnout. First, focus on meaning. Having a clear sense of purpose in the efforts you make, has been proven to boost motivation. While finding the intrinsic reasons for putting in work isn’t always easy, it’s usually the simplest expression of “why” you’re doing something that can easily become your primary focus.
Second, in times of burnout, the most meaningful contributions often come from what’s done on behalf of others. When charging ahead for your own benefit seems too exhausting—putting in effort for others can be a curative solution. This can be as simple as focusing on who will benefit from your work. Or perhaps there’s even an opportunity to boost your own motivation by supporting others in the pursuit of their goals.
Finally, the quest for health and happiness isn’t just a solitary experience. When we come together to support collective wellbeing, we create resilient relationships that build strong communities of support. According to this video by the Mental Health Foundation of the United Kingdom, a sense of community that arises through relationships is a fundamental piece of the wellbeing puzzle.
This week, take some time to look around. Perhaps it’s yourself, or perhaps someone near to you is suffering from burnout. Make an effort to make both connection and support, key pieces of your purpose puzzle.
“The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances: if there is any reaction, both are transformed.”
– Carl Gustav Jung
Author
by Adam Schneider
Adam Schneider is SurePeople's Head of Content, leading the end-to-end enterprise-level content strategy, production, and management for a global platform ecosystem. At the core of his practice, he's a scientist with a passion for storytelling. At the core of his Prism, he's a double Catalyst with a passion for people.
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