Sustaining a career.
WHAT BURNOUT IS
Exhaustion, detachment and reduced effectiveness, from sustained stress.
WHAT CAUSES IT
Unsustainable workload Lack of control Insufficient recognition Values conflict Unclear expectations
WHY IT IS NOT SIMPLY OVERWORK
People sustain hard work with control and purpose; they do not sustain it without.
WHAT THE SIGNS ARE
Dreading work Cynicism about things you cared about Reduced output despite more hours Physical symptoms Withdrawal
WHAT TO DO EARLY
Address the cause, rather than working harder.
WHAT ADDRESSING IT LOOKS LIKE
Raising workload with your manager Renegotiating commitments Taking actual leave
WHY ACTUAL LEAVE
Leave spent available is not rest.
WHAT TO ESTABLISH
Boundaries around hours and availability.
WHY IT IS DIFFICULT
Technology culture frequently rewards availability.
WHAT TO RECOGNISE
That sustained availability is not sustainable.
WHAT ON-CALL REQUIRES
Compensation, rotation and limits.
WHAT TO DO IF THE ENVIRONMENT WILL NOT CHANGE
Consider leaving.
WHY THAT IS LEGITIMATE
No role is worth lasting harm.
WHAT TO DO IF SYMPTOMS PERSIST
Speak to someone qualified.
WHAT TO PROTECT
Interests and relationships outside work.
WHY
They are what sustains you, and they atrophy quietly.
