On Burnout
table of contents
My summary of the video The Thing About Burnout from @ashleymcnamara.
Symptoms and development
- Burnout is like PTSD. After some recovery time, you may feel you’re OK, but some triggers can get you back to the burnout state.
- The burnout recovery time is two years. A two-week-long vacation doesn’t help.
- The process is burning out is slow. It can take years.
Phases of burnout
- honeymoon
- onset of stress: you start feeling less motivated
- neglecting self: overeating, etc.
- losing motivation: can’t get excited about the work anymore
- physical issues: digestion issues, tinnitus, etc.
How to avoid burnout?
- Get clarity. What is the purpose of your work? What are you supposed to do? What are the expectations?
- Stop multi-tasking, and say no more often.
- Take control of your time: plan your work, turn off your notifications.
- Get enough sleep.
Tips for managers
- Be clear about expectations.
- Help people understand their values
- Enforce reasonable work hours.
- Don’t contact your people after 5 PM.
- Encourage people to take their time off.
- Have regular 1-on-1’s and actively listen if people feel stressed.
- Don’t recognize only big wins. Small wins count!
Final take
Remember about your family. They suffer from your burnout no less than yourself.