It’s a fact of life, more seniors are delaying retirement in order to work longer. Some, through necessity, but more because you just like to work.
However, work can also lead to ‘burnout’ and if you are experiencing any of the below then it just might be time to take that long-planned vacation.
When was the last time you felt like setting your desk on fire and walking off the job? Perhaps you haven’t reached the extremes of going that far but it is perfectly natural to suffer from burn out at work. It is important to recognize the signs in order to prevent that burn out from impeding your productivity. Here’s what you need to look out for:
Constant Fatigue
One of the most common signs of work burn out is fatigue. This is the kind of exhaustion that even a good night’s rest won’t help with. Fatigue from work burn out can make you feel run down even when you’re not at work. That can have you withdrawing from your friends and family.
Increasing Cynicism
Not every job is going to change the world but every job, on some level, is providing a service. When you start thinking that your job isn’t making any difference for anyone, then you could be suffering from burn out. That can cause your approach to your entire life to become apathetic.
Not Being Able to Focus at Work
Do you feel like you’re just “phoning it in” at work? Maybe you’re doing just the bare minimum to get by. You probably know what your supervisors look for to make the minimum requirements for the job and that’s all you’re going to do. This lack of focus can cause your potential for advancement to take a big hit. It can even cause the minimum amount of work that you’re doing to be subpar.
You’ve Gotten Worse at Your Job
Every job comes with a performance review. What happens if your next review posts a significant decline from your last review? It could be that your “coasting” through work has finally caught up to you.
Recurring Illness
Along with physical exhaustion can come emotional exhaustion, too. That can trigger minor illnesses but enough to keep you from going into work. It means your emotional wellbeing is literally creating its own “hostile workplace.”
If you recognize any of these burnout symptoms, then you need to be proactive to reset your attitude.
Perhaps your health plan offers therapy or counseling. It is not a bad idea to take advantage of those resources. You can also reset things outside of work. Maybe you can take up a new hobby or learn a new language. Any time you can shift your perspective away from work when you’re actually away from work can help.
In extreme cases of burn out, you might also want to start looking for a new job. Just don’t quit before you’ve secured a new position. Being out of work might seem like a relief but it will only compound the issue.
