You don't really have burnout

You don't really have burnout – understanding a misused term

I hear the term "burnout" everywhere these days. It’s a common topic among friends, in offices, and even at the grocery store. "Burnout" seems to be a shared experience across class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and hobbies. It feels like everyone is burned out nowadays, but is that really true?

The term "burnout" was popularized in the 1970s by American psychologist Herbert Freudenberger. He used it to describe the "consequences of severe stress and high ideals in caregiving professions." So, the term has lingered for over 50 years, but why does it seem like everyone is using it now compared to 10 years ago?   

Basically, what we often label as "burnout" appears correlated with the rapid speed of innovation in tandem with poor management. With the rise of AI and advancements in tech hardware, we're seeing so much change in how we use tools that we just can't keep up.

This, combined with a lack of support from upper management, often leaves employees feeling they cannot keep pace with the work asked of them, frequently facing a "do it because I said so" mentality.

I knew all this, but I found myself facing a new question: Is that really what I’m experiencing?

Identifying what you're really feeling: Is it really burnout or lack of purpose?

As I developed a better understanding of burnout, I started to realize I might have been misdiagnosing myself. I thought burnout was just anytime a person feels so overwhelmed by work that they become paralyzed and lack motivation.

While this is a fair and reasonable conclusion, the more I truly reflected, the more I realized I wasn’t experiencing that. What I was experiencing was actually the opposite: a lack of work.

The overworked vs. the under-challenged

In this day and age, overworked individuals are everywhere. What’s the first thing someone says when you ask how they are? Busy, tired, or just "good" to avoid discussing it. So many folks are genuinely overworked.

I, however, found myself in a place where I had stripped down all "unnecessary" work and was left with very little to do. Having grown up in a culture where work is often idolized, I frequently felt lazy or unmotivated purely because I didn’t have much to do. I was constantly stuck in a cycle of “am I doing the right thing?” which ultimately caused me to avoid work altogether. This wasn't helpful.

After this revelation, I found myself asking about my “why,” and I think this is the key.

Finding your "why": The antidote to perceived burnout

We aren’t really burned out; we often just don’t have a strong “why.” I’ve found this to be incredibly true in my life, and I’d love to hear if it resonates with you too.

If you’re like me, you’re motivated by a strong dedication to something. You don’t just do work because someone told you to; you need a powerful reason to do it.

Your "why" as a source of motivation

I started my business with the desire to work for myself and make my own rules. While I love being able to wake up when I want, work with whom I want, and make all the decisions, I'm also an indecisive person. As you can tell, this creates a significant problem.

I needed something to truly channel that motivational energy. This is honestly something I’m still developing, but I’m grateful for this revelation, as I believe it’s a new step in my journey.

Finding your “why” is going to be the reason you get up every morning. It will be why you do literally anything you do. And I’m here to tell you that it’s probably not an overnight change. You will be challenged, and your “why” will evolve. It will be a hard path, but a worthy one.

Right now, my “why” is to grow this business. I don’t know exactly what that means yet, but I do think it’s where I’m supposed to be. As long as I’m stepping into it every day and making it 1% better, I believe I’m on the right path.

So, what’s your “why,” and what do you do when those insecurities arise?

Managing work anxiety and unmotivation

Practical steps to overcome feelings of overwhelm

First of all, step away from wherever you are and just breathe. There is nothing too big that God can’t handle. Take a few deep breaths and remember that you are loved, cared for, and blessed. Life is too short to be worrying all day long.

Once you’ve taken a moment to calm down, I’d encourage you to take a walk or do something active. Even if it’s just a few minutes, getting out of your physical location will make a tremendous difference. Have a prayer on your walk and just empty those thoughts out. Give them away. They don’t own you.

After the walk and you’ve calmed down, this is crucial: I want you to enter into the work you know you need to do. I have avoided this part so much, and I can honestly say that you’ll feel a million times better if you just get to work. Do the thing you don’t want to do. For me, making content often feels overwhelming. So, I need to enter into the creative process and just make something.

Conclusion: Embrace your path beyond burnout

You are doing just fine, and I am convinced that you will make it. Remember: being unmotivated is normal, and it’s okay to have anxious moments. It happens. Just don’t let it rule your life.

If you don’t know your “why,” just decide what it is for the day. Burnout isn't consuming you, it's the lack of purpose in your work. Why are you going to do the stuff you’re doing today? Use that answer to guide you in this moment. You don’t need to worry about tomorrow or ten years from now, but only think about what is on your plate today.

My parting thought is this: become the person you want to become. Don’t live as the person of today. The person of today is anxious and scared; the person you want to become is confident and passionate about what they do.

You can do this. I believe in you!