Extinguish Burnout

Constantly feeling drained, pessimistic and ineffective might be symptoms of burnout, a widespread yet treatable condition.

If you constantly feel drained, pessimistic and ineffective, you might be suffering from burnout. People who are burned out often feel like hollow versions of themselves. They frequently withdraw from others and turn to addictions and acedia – that is, they no longer care for the pursuits they used to enjoy. They think they can’t change their situations and often fall into the trap of “learned helplessness.” According to Gallup, only a third of employees report feeling engaged at work, and two-thirds of full-time workers suffer from burnout. 

To prevent burnout, take charge of your “personal agency.” Think of it as a bathtub you need to fill as demands from the outside drain it. Realizing that your work is making a difference and seeing results can help you increase your reservoir of personal agency. Pour in self-care and support from others. Finally, keep the plug on your bathtub secure by limiting the demands that deplete your personal agency.

Develop a fairer perspective on your results by...