I love it when my readers suggest topics for The Intersection of Purpose and Now. I have a reader from the Radiological Society of North America to thank for suggesting the subject of “Burnout”.

I am doing exactly what I want to be doing with my life right now. Are you? I have the life I want, and I want my clients to be able to say just that as well.  But let’s face it, anyone can face “burnout” at some point in a career.

What is burnout, generally?  If every day is a “bad day”; if you are often or always tired; if tasks at work or home seem like a waste of time; if you find most of the tasks you perform daily to be boring or monotonous; if you feel like nothing you do is appreciated or makes a difference…you may be on a path of burnout.

What is burnout like for you, personally, right now as you go about your daily life in work or school? Before reading on, invest a few moments with pen and paper (or computer) answering this question,

“What does burnout look, sound and feel like for you right now?”

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines burnout as:

1. the cessation of operation usually of a jet or rocket engine; also : the point at which burnout occurs
2. exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration

Perhaps a lack of necessary “fuel” has brought your engines to a stop. Do even know what fuels you? Do you know how to get refueled? Maybe you’re just tired and need a rest. Or stressed and frustrated and need a break.  Do you know how to rest? Have you made that break a priority?

I would suggest that burnout can have at least one more source.  When I was a young driver, my friends and I would test a car’s acceleration (and our manhood) by “burning out” our tires. (Rather comical now, considering I was driving an Olds Omega 4-cylinder.)  Thing is, every time we burned rubber we reduced the tire tread quickly and, therefore, the traction and lifetime of the tire.

Temporary thrills, “highs” and mountaintop experiences are not sustainable. Rely on them too much in your work or life and they increase your need for external inspiration and decrease internal motivation.  Burn too much “rubber” too frequently and you lose traction on your work, your emotions and more. Too many burns too many times and you reduce the lifetime of value you might otherwise give to that which you serve, whether it is your work, or family, or community, or self.

• When you are doing one thing (e.g. in a job) but would like to be doing something else — this leads to burnout.
• Maybe you are really good at what you do but don’t really enjoy it.
• What if you are passionate about what you are doing but aren’t very good at it?

If you know me or read this blog, you recognize how reluctant I am to give advice. With that in mind, the best advice I can give you in any of these circumstances is “Quit. Find a way to start something new.”  You have to stop doing what you don’t like, or if you’re ineffective, if you want to start doing something else that truly brings you alive.

Develop healthy eating, exercising and sleeping habits. I know you’ve heard it, but are you doing it? Learn how to manage stress; take yoga, pottery, a Bible study or meditation class if you must. Schedule your priorities instead of prioritizing your schedule. Set boundaries, “let your yes be yes and your no be no.” Put away the cell phones, laptops and tablets, the TVs…have a daily getaway from technology.  Develop daily rituals that bring you moments of peace. Try something new, or something “old” with a beginner’s mentality.

Find someone or a cause to serve. I started volunteering to speak at the local women’s correctional center once a month more than ten years ago. This is perhaps my favorite thing to do. I love it (I think they love me, too.) and look forward to returning each month.  Serve someone; you’ll be amaze at the revival you experience.