On Burnout

My summary of the video The Thing About Burnout of ashleymcnamara

The Thing About Burnout

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.