3 Ways to Identify Job Burnout

3 Ways to Identify Job Burnout

1. Learn the Reality of Job Burnout

Job burnout, also known as job depression, affects many workers from all walks of life. Those hit hardest by this condition are individuals working as service providers. Job burnout can also arise if your career requires you to make life-and-death decisions, keep up a highly challenging schedule or perform extremely repetitive and detail-oriented work.

You run the risk of job burnout when your stress level builds and you don't treat or recognize it. At first, job burnout simply comes across as a lack of motivation to succeed or continue in your chosen trade or career. However, if your spirit feels broken on a daily basis, job burnout is lurking under the surface.

2. Identify the Possible Signs

Sit back and take a look at what your job entails. Nurses, doctors, therapists, educators, health care professionals, emergency services workers and police officers need to understand that they are more prone to work burnout, so watch closely for symptoms.

If you have a "tunnel-vision" approach to your work, it's a clue that you may have job burnout. When individuals relate too intensely to their careers, they often have trouble striking a healthy balance between their work and home lives. They may spread themselves too thin or feel as though they have to do everything themselves, which leads to extra stress.

Other signs of burnout show up in "people pleasers," who feel that they are the only ones who can do their job effectively. You'll notice that this personality type tends not to ask for help even when it's desperately needed.

3. Notice the Symptoms

Everyone has moments of frustration and anxiety at work. But when such feelings become commonplace and your work performance starts to decline, it's probably due to job burnout.

Unfortunately, not everyone has the same symptoms of job burnout. If you're experiencing strong feelings of helplessness, avoiding interpersonal problems or self-medicating your feelings with drugs or alcohol, it may be time to talk to someone about how you're feeling.

Last updated on: Aug 11, 2011

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