Burnout is a buzzword that we hear all too often in today’s fast-paced world. It’s so prevalent that it’s accepted as just a part of life. However, the mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion caused by chronic stress at work and home is anything but normal.
If left unchecked, burnout can have serious consequences on your health and well-being. Here are several myths that perpetuate the normalization of burnout culture at work and home:
- Burnout is just part of the job
Many people believe that burnout is an expected outcome of working in certain industries or professions. They accept it as an inevitable part of their job, and as a result, they do not take the necessary steps to prevent it. The truth is that you don’t have to work yourself to exhaustion to be successful at work. If your employer promotes a culture of overworking, it might be time to set some boundaries or look for a new job. - Achieving high levels of success is essential for a fulfilling life
The pressure to succeed is often seen as the driving force behind our motivation to work hard. But, if you’re constantly pushing yourself to achieve more and more, it can cause exhaustion and lead to burnout. While it’s important to have goals and strive for success, it’s equally important to take time for yourself and prioritize your mental and emotional well-being. - Top achievers can handle more workload and responsibility
It’s common for the best employees to be given increasingly more work and responsibility. This can work for a long time, until it doesn’t, and the MVP burns out. It’s important to be realistic with your time and energy. Being a valued team player and trusted with more responsibility at work is great. What’s not so great is taking on more than you can chew and hating your job in the end. - You can only feel burnout if you’re overworking
This is a common misconception. Overworking isn’t the only factor that leads to burnout. Burnout can be triggered by a sense of purposelessness and lack of control over one’s work. Personal stressors are also big factors in burnout including relationship problems, financial challenges, or health issues. - Work/life balance isn’t achievable or as important as career goals
Many people believe that work should take priority over their personal life, leading to a lack of work/life balance. However, studies have shown that work/life balance is essential for our mental and physical health, and that a healthy balance can actually increase productivity and job satisfaction. - Stress and pressure are necessary motivators for high performance
Some people believe that stress and pressure are necessary for high performance, but this belief can actually lead to burnout. Instead of pushing yourself to the limit, try to find a healthy balance between challenge and support that allows you to perform at your best without sacrificing your well-being. - Prioritizing personal time and well-being is selfish and unrealistic
Prioritizing yourself is essential for your overall health and happiness. When you prioritize personal time, you are giving yourself the opportunity to recharge your batteries and reduce stress. This can help you to be more effective in your work, relationships, and other areas of your life. - Seeking help for burnout is a sign of failure or incompetence
Many people are reluctant to seek help for burnout because they believe it is a sign of weakness or incompetence. However, seeking help is a brave and proactive step towards preventing further burnout and improving your well-being.
Burnout may be common, but it’s not a normal part of life, and it’s important to recognize the beliefs that perpetuate its normalization. Prioritizing your well-being is not selfish, it’s a necessary aspect of a happy healthy life.
Coaching Qs:
- What beliefs from the above list do you hold?
- How might your life improve if you were to change these hidden beliefs?
- What steps can you take today to prevent burnout?
