The Top 10 Telltale Signs of Burnout

Originally Submitted on 11/30/2001.

Sometimes we don't recognize just how burnt out we are. We're so stuck that we don't realize we're immobilized. The dangers of burnout are manifold - there are costs to our careers, to our personal relationships and to our bodies.

Here are ten telltale signs of burnout. If you see yourself in at least 3 of the following, consider it time to reevaluate choices you've made. It may be time for an overhaul!

1. Boredom

If nothing excites you and you've nothing to look forward to, life can feel mundane. If your performance is due to habit and not a result of inspiration, burnout might be at play. If you've forgotten what originally inspired and you've lost your sense of passion, burnout could be a reason. If you're bored yet hardly notice it, you're in burnout.

2. Grumpy and Grouchy

If you've attributed your irritability to a midlife crisis or to hormonal changes, it might be time to reconsider! Burn out can show up as irritability - when we're not fulfilled and not on a path of growth and development, we're tense and irritable. Little things bother us and we lose our perspective and focus. We forget our objectives and motivations -- irritability robs us of our vitality, which in turn affects the velocity of our actions.

3. The Blues

If you're depressed on Sunday afternoon thinking about Monday morning and about how much you're dreading work; it's time for a change! Life's too short to not enjoy each day, and work represents more than making money.

4. Jealousy

Do you consistently compare yourself to others, questioning why Person X has the job that you'd like to have? Are you judgmental about others' performance, and not focused enough on YOUR areas for improvement? Do you feel entitled or unappreciated? Beware the hidden signs of jealousy -- underneath the jealousy might lurk unresolved and useless questions that lead down a nonproductive path! While jealousy might appear as if it's about other people, it's primarily a reflection of one's own shaky self-worth.

5. Cynicism

Are you frequently cynical or bitter about your job, your boss, your company or your spouse? Do you no longer care about their opinion? People who are cynical often don't give others the space to communicate, and respect is often lacking. Cynicism breeds cynicism
-- it's an endless and nonproductive cycle.

6. Fatigue

Do you frequently feel as if you have low energy? Are you always tired? Do you spend the bulk of the day looking forward to your next break, to a nap or to an escape? Do you look forward to nothing more than TV or to a glass of wine or beer at the end of the day?

7. Overwhelm

Do the smallest details of life overwhelm you? Do you frequently feel that if one more project ends up on your desk, you're going to explode or crumble? Are you becoming oblivious so as to avoid a sense of overwhelm?

8. Lack of Joy

Do you no longer find joy in what once used to make you smile or laugh? Have you lost your ability to empathize or to find beauty in a piece of art or nature? Can your heart be aroused by music, poetry
-- or be touched by a child's kiss?

9. Low Productivity

If you feel as if you never have enough time and never accomplish your goals, you're a prime candidate for burnout. Low productivity, lack of outcome and a sense that you'll never have enough time to do everything you need to do is wearisome and a major factor of burnout. (Hint: break your goals into small manageable steps so you're able to easily accomplish small pieces. You'll be able to more easily track and celebrate your progress. Success begets success! Build upon your progress step by step by step.)

10. Loss of Inspiration

Have you lost your muse or your inspiration? Are you no longer in touch with what motivates and stirs your heart? Loss of inspiration is often an unrecognized and underreported source of burnout. Recognize the role inspiration plays in your life.

If too many of the above signs of burnout resonate for you, consider yourself due for an overhaul! It's time to reevaluate your life and the choices you've made. Consider working with a professional coach to help you get on the path towards happiness and productivity. By recognizing the telltale signs of burnout, you've begun the first step towards rebuilding passion and productivity into your life.

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