Issue #28 - To Burnout‎️‍🔥 or Not To

Burnout is something real that is not physically visible, but we all experience it at some point in our professional and personal lives.

Feb 24

Welcome to the 28th issue of 5 Minute Friday from The Backpack CPA! Every Friday I share a short email with tips & resources to get you thinking about your Professional & Personal Development!

Let's start "growing" through our professional journey instead of just "going" through it!

A few wise words from a wise person...

"Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you." ~ Anne Lamott (American Author)

💪 Professional & Personal Development

To Burnout‎️‍🔥 or Not To

Issue #10 was on the topic of burnout️‍🔥, but we had some technical issues on our old platform (Revue) so the issue never went out. Since this is a busy time of the year for many of us I thought it would be a relevant topic to update & republish. Burnout is a state of emotional and physical exhaustion that is caused by prolonged stress and overwork. With a few simple changes, it can be managed and even prevented. Let's explore what burnout is, what causes it, & how to deal with it.

What is Burnout?
Burnout is a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.
We can experience burnout in many different ways:

Unmotivated
Overwhelmed
Feeling like nothing is ever good enough
Difficulty focusing
Even physical symptoms such as insomnia or fatigue

These feelings often lead to decreased performance at work and difficulty managing our everyday lives outside of work.

Possible Causes of Burnout
Burnout can often be attributed to any number of factors in the workplace including long hours, unrealistic deadlines, lack of recognition for hard work or results, inadequate resources/support systems at work, no clear objectives/goals at work, or intense competition among co-workers. Additionally, burnout can also arise from personal issues such as a difficult home life or financial troubles that are causing additional stress outside of work.

Ways To Deal With Burnout
The most important thing you can do if you think you may be experiencing burnout is take a step back and assess the situation. Start by talking with your employer about your workload and ask if there are any adjustments that could be made to help reduce your stress levels. Additionally, try setting aside some time during the day for self-care activities such as exercise or meditation; make sure you get enough rest; set realistic goals for yourself; delegate tasks when possible; talk with friends/family about what’s going on; and finally, take breaks throughout the day so that you don't become too overwhelmed with all the demands placed upon you.

Burnout can have serious implications for both our professional lives and our personal lives if left unchecked and unmanaged. However, by recognizing when we’re feeling overwhelmed by our workloads and taking steps towards making small changes in our lives—at both home and in the office—we can start to regain control over our emotions and mental states before they spiral out of control into full-on burnouts. Taking care of ourselves should always come first!

P.S. If you missed the “Mindfulness for The Busy Professional” webinar that was hosted by The Grove powered by Liscio, then you can still watch the recording!

Watch The Webinar Recording

📗💡 Learning/Tools

The Maslach Burnout Inventory™ (MBI)

I learned about The Maslach Burnout Inventory™ (MBI) in a webinar I attended a few months ago. It’s a tool developed 2 psychologists that can help us measure our level of burnout.

The MBI has 3 sections: A) Burnout, B) Depersonalization & C) Personal Achievement. Take the assessment below and see find out your burnout level.

What's your burnout level?

Total for Section A:

17 or less: low-level burnout
18 to 29: moderate burnout
30 & up: high-level burnout

Source: https://www.mindgarden.com/117-maslach-burnout-inventory-mbi

Note: This information & chart is mainly provided for information & educational purposes only and does not constitute any professional guidance or diagnosis. Please seek a qualified professional if you need assistance.

5 Minute Friday - by The Backpack CPA!