Detect burnouts early and do something about it
It happens to the best of us: we start at a new job all excited and happy about the vista of unexplored opportunities ahead. Six months into it and we’re sporting dark circles under our eyes, our hair is dropping out in clumps and we anticipate Monday mornings like those kids anticipated the arrival of Freddy Krueger in the Nightmare On Elm Street flicks.
Holding on to a job that makes you unhappy and causes stress will take a mental, physical and emotional toll on you that will quickly lead to burnout. How do you know if you’re grappling with job burnout and not just experiencing temporary stress during a particularly busy period? Well, experts at the Mayo Clinic have put together these questions as a guide:
(i) Have you become awfully cynical or critical at work?
(ii) Do you drag yourself to work and have trouble getting started once you arrive?
(iii) Do you lack the energy to be consistently productive?
(iv) Do you lack satisfaction from your achievements?
(v) Do you feel disillusioned about your job?
(vi) Are you using food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel?
(vii) Have your sleep habits or appetite changed?
(viii) Are you troubled by unexplained headaches, backaches or other physical complaints?
If you answered yes to any (or worse, all!) of the questions above – you’re very likely to be experiencing some form of job burnout. Do take note that these symptoms can also point to certain health conditions like depression or thyroid disorder that’s why it’s a good idea to consult a medical professional or see a psychologist who can help you deal with these issues.
Sometimes, just knowing what’s caused your burnout can help solve the problem. Some of the key causes for job burnout as explained by the experts at the Mayo Clinic include:
Too Little Control
You have no influence on essential decisions that affect your job (like workload).
Fuzzy Expectations
You’re not what your superiors or your workmates expect from you.
Dysfunctional dynamics
You’re constantly terrorized by an office bully or working for a boss from hell.
Bad Fit
Your job doesn’t fit your interests and skills.
Extremes of activity
Your job is always too monotonous or too chaotic and you need a lot of energy to remain focused.
Related Posts
No related posts.
