Navigating the new normal: Burnout at work

The best time of year for me, other than vacation, is the last week of December and the first week of January. It’s normal for me to work during these two weeks because they are a gift in disguise.

This is usually a sweet spot in the work year, when because of the holiday period, vacations and the general transition from old year projects to new year projects, it’s typically a quieter time. This slower pace allows me to get previously forsaken projects done, paperwork sorted and honestly, gives me a moment to simply refocus and recalibrate as I get ready for the upcoming year of activities.

The flip side to this sweet spot is literally every other day of the year when it is go, go, GO!

Let me begin by saying that I do not have the unrealistic expectation for the pace to always be slow, because work is nuanced. There will be busy periods, with some busier than most, however an insidious aspect of this new, pandemic driven world is the need for us to be operating at 110%, all the time, non-stop.

 The Great Resignation: New normal?

If you’ve been paying any attention to current affairs over the past 4 months at least, you would’ve probably heard about the Great Resignation which describes the large swathes of workers in the US who are resigning their jobs for various reasons, foremost of which is a need to recalibrate their lives for the post pandemic future.

Workers are leaving their jobs because some have come to the realization that they can get new jobs with better pay, better working conditions, and most importantly, more control over how they balance their work and life.

This article actually explores in even more detail some of the considerations driving persons to leave, formerly ‘ok’ occupations.

They are trading jobs and work place cultures that tell them ‘you have to work yourself to the point of burnout as a matter of course’ and that that is normal, for more favourable opportunities. In 2022 and beyond, people will be seeking jobs that allow them the dignity of making an honest living but also occupations that allow them to have a full life that prioritizes other things, except work.

Free to BE

And guess what? Employees do not what to be made to feel selfish or guilty because they choose their mental health and wellbeing over the constant strain of sometimes, thankless jobs.

It is normal and OK to want a job that pays a decent salary with a fair amount of work as opposed to an all-consuming grind that is perpetually in emergency mode and that you are expected to be ‘grateful’ for, just because it exists.

While some people have chosen to leave, there are millions of others who are still plodding along and being productive in their current roles. They continue to weather the changing ebbs and flow of hard deadlines and evolving challenges to their work life, brought on by the pandemic and other emerging factors

There is in fact a mentality that would rather people shut up, work and be thankful for a job, regardless of the conditions. Now, with more options and a plethora of opportunities, people will be more willing to walk away. Meanwhile, the disengagement and attrition will continue.

Hard work, More work

The unfortunate and oft used statement that the “reward for good work is more work” is coming back to bite many who previously uttered both as a compliment and warning. Workers now see it for what it truly is: the makings of an unhealthy cycle that traps some of the best employees into a never-ending loop of overwork that can seldom be assuaged by monetary reward.

And to be clear, persons who choose not to work to the point of burnout are no less dedicated, efficient or ambitious than anyone else and therefore shouldn’t be demonized because of it.

Not everyone will choose to become entrepreneurs so there will always be a segment of our population that is willing to be employed. It’s therefore only fair that this work life provides adequate space for life beyond but also life within the job.

 At a Cross Roads

The pandemic has forced many of us to reconsider what is important and the time may come in the not too distant future for us to assess the toll being taken on our minds and bodies, in order to make a living.

While we ponder, we need to identify cycles and triggers in our work life which could be contributing to potential burnout.

Knowing is half the battle, addressing it head on will help to make a difference.

Be inspired, Be informed, Be Glorious!

Subscribe to the blog here  and share your content suggestions here.

Kevin