Workplace Burnout Factors And How To Combat Them

According to a Yale study, even highly engaged and passionate employees get burned out at work. That’s a problem that can be fixed.

Many of us strive to have jobs and careers that enrich us and give us meaning.

But whether you absolutely love your work or not, there is always a chance that you may succumb to workplace burnout.

In fact, workplace burnout is more common than you may think, and is naturally a major concern for human resource (HR) leaders and managers.

According to a study conducted by the Yale Centre for Emotional Intelligence, even those employees who felt highly engaged and passionate about their work still reported high levels of stress and frustration.

When it comes to burnout, it seems like there’s no escape.

Wondering what’s contributing to your own feelings of workplace burnout and how to fix it?

Some of the reasons driving it may really surprise you, as well as the fact that you can do something about it.

1. Excitability 

If you are naturally more excitable than your colleagues, you will most likely have a much stronger response to stress.

At the same time, you can also be triggered by stress much more easily.

Rather than try to change this aspect about yourself, consider practicing positive self-talk and tension-relieving strategies.

Doing so will help you feel less threatened by workplace deadlines and demanding situations.

2. Unfair compensation 

You may see a need to work excessively because you have bills to pay.

If you find yourself working more hours than what is comfortable or healthy just to pay the bills, your hourly wage or salary may be too low in the first place.

Assess your pay rates and remember what you are worth.

3. Not believing in the mission 

Even with poor monetary compensation, some are willing to put up with grueling hours because they find purpose in what they are doing, and they find reward in positively impacting their communities.

But if your values or interests are not aligned with the organisation that you work for, you may feel high levels of pressure and stress.

Re-evaluate your own personal mission and make sure it aligns with your job or career. If not, then start looking for a job or career that does.

4. Seeking perfection 

Do you beat yourself up often because what you complete at work is not the perfect result you were envisioning?

Doing so can actually cripple your productivity and spirit.

Forgive yourself for making mistakes. Know that perfection is a very rare thing, and may in fact not even exist.

5. Having a negative perspective 

A pessimistic worker may create problems for his or her own self in the workplace, which can increase the risk of burnout.

Pessimism pays no benefit ‒ rather than constantly worrying about things going wrong, delve more into the world of optimism.

6. Being a poor fit 

Let’s face it: Sometimes things don’t always fit.

If the skills you have do not match what your job position actually needs, a burnout is highly likely from constantly feeling like you’re behind and can’t catch up.

Learn and recognise your strengths, and put them to good use.

And don’t be afraid to let go of a job or career that simply is not for you.

Reposted with permission.