Breaking Down Burnout
Burnout was first coined as a technical term by Herbert Freudenberger in 1975. It was defined by three components:
Emotional Exhaustion - the fatigue that comes from caring too much, for too long
Depersonalization - the depletion of empathy, caring, and compassion
Decreased Sense of Accomplishment- an unconquerable sense of futility: feeling that nothing you do makes any difference
We are most susceptible to burnout when we experience increased levels of exhaustion and depersonalization, mixed with a decreased sense of accomplishment.
Question: Of the three elements, which one currently resonates with you most?
Action: Consider taking action based on your answer—
Exhaustion Self Care
Delegate projects to other people on your team
Say “No” when asked if you have the bandwidth
Depersonalization Connection/ Self Compassion
Catch up with a buddy at work (no shop talk!)
Connect with a loved one and ask for help
Accomplishment Explore Alternate Perspectives
Talk to your manager and request feedback on what you’re doing well
Write down your proudest accomplishments of your career so far
💜 a good quote…
“Be brave enough to ask for help when you need it. There is no merit badge for doing all the hard things alone.” — Maggie Smith
“We’re totally guilty of doing too much at once, all while trying to manage the noise in our heads that says we’re not doing enough.”
― Vanessa Autrey, The Art of Balancing Burnout
