At a time when some people feel overwhelmed, overworked, and overcommitted (and when our love of technology means we’re often overstimulated too) the chances of burnout significantly increase.
Before I mention some possible signs to be aware of, please let me stress the following:
It’s how often and how long you experience these symptoms that truly indicates if you’re close to burning out.
Four signs you’re close to burnout:
- You have lost a sense of satisfaction with your work and your relationships. We all have challenges at work and with people, but when was the last time you felt a sense of satisfaction from any aspect of your job and truly enjoyed the company of family and friends.
- Trivial things make you disproportionately angry. Not just on some days, but every day. On a scale of 1 – 10, where 10 equals death/the end of the world, most things seem in excess of an 8. When you’re constantly stressed and complaining over trivial things, it’s usually a sign of a deeper problem.
- You’re working long hours but you’re actually less productive and effective. Perhaps it’s not just the hours you’re putting in, but the quality of what you’re putting into those hours that’s the real issue.
- You’re becoming increasingly critical of people and life in general and find yourself continually complaining and questioning the motives of others.
Remember, we all have bad days and may occasionally experience some of the above. If that’s you, you’re human. But if those symptoms are something you can relate to and they show no sign of ending, please be courageous enough to ask for help.
Talk to someone. Go online and research what resources, books, podcasts etc you can access. It may be that you seek professional help.
Above all, be kind and compassionate with yourself. The last 18 months have been particularly challenging, but with the support of others we can get to a better place.
Hope is always on the horizon.
I wish you well. If you know of anyone who may also benefit from reading this, please link them to it.
Catch up soon.
Paul
The SUMO Guy
thesumoguy 