I experienced burnout for the first time when I was 18. Balancing part-time studies, work, and writing alongside nightly socializing pushed me to the brink. Despite managing the load, a moment of clarity came when my frazzled response to a simple question exposed the weight I carried. Thankfully, my manager intervened, reassigning shifts and providing a lifeline.
Since then, burnout periodically resurfaces, often dismissed as just another busy period. However, in late 2020, after months of relentless work, I reached my breaking point. It forced a transformative pause. I altered my lifestyle, seeking a slower pace in a new city.
Yet, the cycle persists. Despite efforts to maintain balance, occasional overcommitments bring me back to the edge. It seems predictable, almost inevitable, as if modern life demands we stay afloat between drowning spells.
Is breaking this cycle possible? Kandi Wiens believes so. Having left a lucrative career to study burnout solutions, Wiens shares insights in her book, "Burnout Immunity."
Raised in poverty, Wiens' drive stemmed from fear and validation. A health scare prompted her to reassess, leading to a mission to help others.
Burnout, recognized by the WHO, results from chronic workplace stress. While most endure severe stress, some seem immune to burnout. Factors like values and personality play a role.
Emotional intelligence offers resilience. Understanding oneself and managing responses can mitigate burnout. Wiens employs techniques to regulate stress levels and assess overwhelm, finding reassurance in her ability to navigate stress.
Breaking the cycle requires introspection and resilience. Wiens' journey illustrates the path to lasting change.
In a lot of professions, there’s a belief that burnout is an inevitable part of success
Part of cultivating "burnout immunity" involves gaining a deeper understanding of and even befriending stress, enabling better management and mitigation of its impact. By closely monitoring the nature of my stress and its consistent triggers, I've become a more effective self-manager – akin to my perceptive manager at 18, who foresaw issues before I did.
However, implementing these strategies can be challenging in environments where burnout is normalized or even valorized.
"In many professions, there's a prevailing belief that burnout is an unavoidable aspect of achievement," notes Wiens. She recalls working late into the night with colleagues, often accompanied by glasses of wine.
Reflecting on her past, Wiens sees herself as the proverbial frog in gradually boiling water, unaware of the escalating strain. "My organization willingly exploited individuals like me who would tirelessly give and give," she reflects.
At times, even heightened self-awareness isn't adequate protection against burnout, as the fundamental issue lies within the workplace itself. "You can't recover in an environment that perpetuates your ailment," asserts Wiens.
Organizations bear the onus of addressing chronic stress within their workforce authentically, moving beyond superficial measures like lunchtime yoga or token surveys. Wiens underscores the pivotal role of effective leadership in combating burnout.
Wiens' findings underscore the importance of aligning one's work with personal values to stave off burnout. While not everyone can pursue entrepreneurial ventures or extended sabbaticals, even incremental steps toward this alignment can yield benefits. "It involves identifying the overlap between fulfilling work, financial viability, societal needs, and personal strengths," she explains.
Wiens is currently crafting her next book, aiming to assist individuals in scrutinizing their unique circumstances and recognizing where their sacrifices yield diminishing returns.
She remains resolute: breaking the cycle of burnout is "absolutely" feasible. Despite facing significant stress, Wiens emphasizes possessing the requisite coping skills.
I occasionally find myself navigating the same precarious path I embarked on at 18. However, rather than striving to avoid a fall at all costs, I've learned to discern moments of instability and gracefully step down.
