How to Avoid Burnout

Burnout is an increasing phenomenon lately. On the surface this might not seem surprising, given cultural attitudes toward work.

Hustle culture creates a strong conditioning. Social media is designed to make us think that we don’t have enough, that we aren’t doing enough, and that if we don’t do more we will be left behind.

Many of us are overworked, overstimulated, and over-extended.

Without time to rest and breathe, we have no chance to refuel the fire that keeps us going. Burnout seems inevitable.

Except that burnout isn’t just about exhaustion and mental fatigue.

Burnout is fundamentally about a lack of meaning and purpose to what you’re doing. It’s not the volume of tasks and work that leads to burnout; it’s the perception that the work is for nothing.

We burn out when we perceive that our work is meaningless or lacks purpose; when we don’t feel appreciated or seen in our efforts. Burn out happens when we are toiling with no sense of progress.

There’s lots of advice that says we should spend more time filling ourselves. I agree that this is important; we can’t serve others from a place of emptiness.

That said, I’ve found that what rekindles my flame is finding meaning and purpose in my work.

Ironically, rather than coming through more focus on myself, my spark has ignited when I’ve focused on how I can serve others.

Offering care to others is often the gateway to offering more care to myself. When I feel a sense of purpose and service in my work, I am less likely to burn out.