What really causes burnout?

What really causes burnout?

Many of the books and articles you may have read make it pretty clear - burnout is caused by X and the solution is Y. Pretty simple. One cause. One solution. 

 But that is not what we heard in our interviews with people who burned out. There was no single cause of their burnout. There were multiple. And they varied by person.

 We tallied what appeared to be the dominant causes from each of the interviews. Here is how it looked. 

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We also listened for organizational level causes. The below were the most prevalent.

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In our interviews, a single factor on its own (e.g. unrealistic workload) rarely led to burnout. Burnout happened when a cluster of factors all occurred at the same time. It was these ‘burnout combos’ over a sustained period which tipped people over. These combos often came in three’s:

  • High workload + belief ‘I must endure’ + can’t switch off………...burnout
  • High anxiety about work + perfectionism + unsupportive boss…….burnout
  • Lack of boundaries + gives 100% at all times + lack of resources….burnout

 It’s like fast food. The odd burger every so often is not bad for you. It’s when you consume a Cheeseburger Combo meal every day for a year that you get into trouble.

Most of our interviewees ignored the combo’s they were consuming each day. They weren’t aware of the risk until they looked back afterwards and it was too late.

 If you intend to work hard and perform at a high level, you’ll be fine. As long as you are not feasting on a burnout combo meal every day.

 To check your current risk level, look at the lists above and check off any factors that you feel apply to you. How many do you have?

 Zero factors - great (why are you even reading this post?)

One factor – nothing to see here, move along

Two factors – take note, your plate is filling

Three factors – you’ve got a combo

Four plus – you’ve overfilled at the buffet. Don’t pile anything else on

Look at your list and ask, could I keep working with this ‘combo’ for the next 18 months? Would I want to?

 If the answer is ‘no’, it’s might be time to make some changes.

 If you feel like you may be experiencing some burnout signals and are looking for some healthier solutions we might be able to help. We are piloting a simple and short approach that helps you see how others who previously had your burnout challenge overcame it. If you’d like to try it out (for free) send an email to nick@nicholaspetrie.com and we’ll set you up. Open to the first 10 people who email.

Thanks to our research team for uncovering these insights and more to come: Ryan BrickerMitchell StallardMichael CampbellLisa MackayMeera CrastonIain ClelandDr Cherrie DaleyMatt Bartlett-Bond MSc GMBPsSKarrie WainscottDana Mix, MA, SPHRDr. Pylin ChuapetcharasoponAsher JamesMelissa MuirheadRuth Prendergast, Simone Falkenstein

Kelly Burley

Regulatory Counsel and Compliance professional | Organisational leadership and Burnout Coach helping high performers build resilience through nervous system regulation | 121 coaching, corporate workshops

9mo

Exactly - it is rarely one thing but the pressure of an unsustainable load of factors that causes burnout. What is needed is a deep overhaul of people's beliefs through self exploration, connection with values and overall purpose. There is sadly no quick fix and one size does not fit all, although there is a roadmap that I use based on my own experience which is particularly helpful.

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Raquel Villalobos Sánchez

Human Resources Specialist at Pinocchio Project 4u

1y

Izka González Fascinating!

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Samantha Neblett

Manager | Enfuse Group | Management Consulting | My parents still don't know what I do for work

1y
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Sarah Lennon

Learning Facilitator + Programme Manager | Connecting the dots for people - to their potential, their patterns + what's possible | Advocate for Flexible Work + The Mental Load | ACC Coach

1y

Norma - I think you'll enjoy this.

Lynn Mead FCPFA

Your Leadership & Career Coach ★ I help motivate ambitious professionals take action and unlock their career potential ★ Public Sector I Military I Athletes ★ Build clarity, confidence & purpose ★ DISC

1y

This is fascinating and I'd love to talk to you more about this please. I am a Performance Coach and NLP Practitioner around career transition. My background is the Public Sector as a management consultant. I have a real interest in resilience and what that means to people to mitigate burnout. Values are so important so it is really interesting to see (and a great way to set it out with the 3 degrees and cheeseburger combo!) what your research has shown :)

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