5 Reasons Why Career Burnout is a Crock

I, like most Americans, work very hard.  What this means is that I put in long hours and spread myself too thin sometimes.  I do this because it is part of my DNA to put in 110% into everything I begin.  My dad always set this example – when he wasn't inundated with work from his day job, he was managing his rental business or tackling a start-up project with a fellow techie who he respected.  I saw him as always busy, but happy and successful.

In my life pursuit of happiness and success, I also work hard.  I can outwork a majority of people on their most caffeinated day.  When I let the occasional person in on my secret about how much I actually do, they usually say, “Be careful, you are going to burn out.”  Now let me clarify – occasionally I enjoy some relaxation.  However, I’ll be honest – I often sit down to watch a movie and relax, and feel the need to break out my laptop within the first 10 minutes because it kills me that I may waste two perfect hours that could lead to productivity.  I’m an expert at multi-tasking, and this scenario is still more relaxing than working in an office.  I realize this is a choice that I make, and I’m okay with that.

But career burnout?  I don’t buy it.  I do not believe that one day after working hard for several years, I am just going to be so exhausted and disinterested that I can no longer trudge on.  I think career burnout is something different and something deeper.  I think burnout happens when people:

1. get fed up
2. begin to harbor resentment
3. feel they've experienced injustice in the workplace
4. are owed something
5. disagree with the business in some fashion

The point at which many people make a change in their life is when they get fed up.  When they say, “ I've had it!” they are able to move on to the next thing.  Resentment has the same effect on people.  It’s a feeling most people work hard to disassociate themselves with.  When this creeps into a person’s career, it can manifest many emotions, but often results in one feeling deflated which in turn is misinterpreted as “burnout”. 

Resentment usually happens due to reasons three through five.  Perceived injustices occur when someone is passed over for a promotion, not given due recognition, don’t feel they’re opinions or advice is heeded or for any other vast array of situations.  When we feel we are entitled to something we are not receiving, we also begin to feel resentment.  After 10 years on the job, one might feel they are entitled to be bumped to the next pay grade.  When that doesn't happen, what’s the result?  You guessed it, resentment.  Resentment also occurs when we disagree with our employer.  Whether this is how a project or even a department is structured, or the businesses an organization chooses to participate in, or even leadership practices.  All these things (and more) can be shaped by personal and fundamental beliefs.  When we are in disagreement with something we consider to be part of belief system, it can harbor resentment, especially when someone feels they are contributing to something with which they disagree.  When this happens in the workplace, particularly if a major organizational change occurred in recent memory, you may soon be hearing the words “burnout” from some of your staff.

Working hard?  Working hard about something you have so much passion about that you choose to spend your couch and movie watching time contributing to it?  Burnout is a result of lack of passion and motivation, not too much of it.