Sustainability vs. burnout is an extremely important topic for workplaces to evaluate and discuss. According to research, burned-out employees are 63% more likely to take a sick day and 2.6 times more likely to be actively seeking a different job.
On the other hand, emotionally engaged employees are more likely to have a higher well-being in life. In one study, those who were engaged in their work but took less than one week of vacation still had 25% higher overall well-being than actively disengaged employees (even those with six or more weeks of vacation).
Here are 4 of the main causes of burnout at work:
Unmanageable workload
Productive employees can quickly shift from optimistic to hopeless if they’re drowning in an unmanageable workload. How can you help people get out of their “mental quicksand?”
Lack of role clarity
In the U.S.A., only half of employees strongly agree that they know what is expected of them at work. How can you establish clarity of expectations this week?
Lack of communication and support from leadership
Employees who strongly agree that they feel supported by their leader are 70% less likely to experience burnout on a regular basis. How can you build deeper connections with care and concern this month?
Unreasonable time pressure
When employees say they often or always have enough time to do all of their work, they are 70% less likely to experience high burnout.
On a positive note, burnout is not inevitable. You can improve your sustainability in your own career!
Here are 4 ways to reduce burnout:
Make today count.
Do what you can to make the most of the present. You can’t change yesterday, and tomorrow isn’t here yet.
Focus on what you can control.
Take ownership of your attention, your thoughts, and your energy. Consciously practice training your mind to remain optimistic and to use your gifts.Employees who have the opportunity to do what they do best at work are 57% less likely to frequently experience burnout.
Release what you can’t control.
Employees whose leader is always willing to listen to their work-related problems are 62% less likely to be burned out. Even if someone else isn’t listening to you, do what you personally can to listen to others’ opinions and encourage teamwork.
Create some margin.
Unplug every now and then, and get some space to maintain your perspective. Even God took time to rest and recharge on the seventh day!
We aren’t interested in just short-term greatness. We want to live and work in ways that sustain excellence!
How will you be proactive in preventing burnout in your career?
Use Your Gifts!
Melanie Massey Groves and Brian Russell with MoCo: Leadership, Strengths, & Culture Coaching
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