Job Burnout....don’t let it happen to you

You may be suffering from job burnout if you think every day is a bad day. Job burnout usually stems from prolonged job-related stress. But it could just as easily happen to someone who loves their job and works late consistently out of choice. Job burnout can also stem from frustration with pay awards and promotions - working hard but receiving little recognition.

Another possible cause is threat of redundancy, which tends to make people nervous about their own jobs and can cause them to overperform Particularly when people take up the slack for others who have been made redundant.

Job burnout will affect the quantity and quality of your work, so if left unchecked, your job could be at risk.

Symptoms of Burnout

The symptoms of burnout include feelings of hopelessness, frustration, despair, irritability and apathy, which culminate in mental, physical and psychological exhaustion.

Burnout is also characterised by headaches, dizziness, shortness of breath and stomach aches. Everyone is different so the symptoms will reflect the individual’s physical and psychological weak spots.

Studies show that burnout could put you at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes. And it could also lead to heart and vascular disease, stroke or cancer.

Causes of Burnout

The most likely cause of burnout for Personal Assistants is either taking on too many tasks, or having too many tasks imposed on you. Working for someone who violates your self respect by belittling you, or feeling trapped in your job for economic reasons, are other factors. Some people will experience many of these factors simultaneously. And one factor often leads to another.

Job burnout can trigger relationship and family problems, as it leads to disengagement, detachment and depression.

Tackling the problem

Tackling burnout involves reducing the stress factors that lead to burnout. Therefore, an immediate remedy is to avoid the stress triggers. Consider the following options.

- Take time off
- Change jobs
- Transfer to another department
- Speak to your boss and negotiate changes to your job description

You should also consider training and mentoring as practical options to help you work smarter and to provide support and guidance. Training and mentoring can help you keep up-to-date with best practice and encourage delegating and outsourcing of tasks as effective work strategies.

The remedy you choose will depend on the nature of the stressors. For example, if the problem was caused by taking on too many tasks, agree a revised job description with your boss and stick to it. If the problem was caused by workplace bullying you could ask for a transfer.

Start an exercise regime, eat healthily and get plenty of sleep. This will improve your state of mind. In addition to this, consider doing assertiveness training and a course in stress management.

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