The burnout research continues to emerge, and I find it compelling, so I want to share it with you. I am more susceptible to some of the indicators of burnout - for example, I find emotional exhaustion particularly challenging. Yet the granddaddy of them all tends to be Reduced Personal Accomplishment.
Reduced Personal Accomplishment is that persistent sense that you're simply failing at work. It's not about any specific interaction or project, but rather a loss of the sense of professional competence. Work takes energy and active involvement, and the less effective you feel, the more you'll sense nagging doubts about your self-worth and personal accomplishment. And the downward spiral continues...
The way through Reduced Personal Accomplishment is to get specific. Identify where your personal accomplishment is being eroded and identify what is within your control to change in that area. Fight that general sense of failure by identifying specific areas where you are accomplishing meaningful things, as well as specific situations where you are underperforming.
- In areas where you are underperforming, get detailed - do people you trust think you're underperforming in those areas? Are there skill gaps you could address through training or mentorship? Could you negotiate the amount of that type of work that you have to do or the timing of that work? Could you trade work with a coworker who is strong in that area?
- What areas of work are within your control? What are your opportunities to make choices autonomously, solve problems, or contribute to fulfilling goals?
- Are there areas at work that feel unfair, such as inconsistent or inequitable rules for everyone, or a lack of quality justice and respect at work? If you identify areas that are eroding your sense of accomplishment, how can you address those?
- Where is your work having a beneficial impact on people? What fuels a sense of accomplishment for you at work and how could you do more of those activities?
The markers of burnout are emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. Each of these is challenging, and together they create a toxic burnout soup. You can get through burnout with careful attention over time to what you need to refuel and reset. Remember, it took months or years to get here, and it will take time to get through it.
