Yes, Burnout Is a Real Thing

Adrian S. Potter
3 min readApr 28, 2024

Here are some ideas of how you can prevent it.

Photo by Tara Winstead: https://www.pexels.com/photo/sticky-note-on-a-skeleton-8386699/

Burnout is indeed a real phenomenon, and it is quite different from laziness.

While laziness might involve a lack of motivation or effort, burnout is characterized by a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or overwork. It is important not to confuse the two.

Burnout can be triggered by various factors:

1. Workload:

Excessive workload or unrealistic expectations from work can lead to burnout. Constantly feeling overwhelmed by tasks, deadlines, and responsibilities can siphon away a person’s energy and motivation, even if they are ambitious.

2. Lack of Control:

Feeling like you have little control over your work or how tasks are performed can contribute to burnout. This could include micromanagement, rigid procedures, or feeling unable to make meaningful decisions.

3. Lack of Recognition:

Not feeling appreciated or recognized for your efforts can also contribute to burnout. When hard work goes unnoticed or unappreciated, it can lead to resentment and disillusionment.

4. Work-Life Imbalance:

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Adrian S. Potter

Antisocial Extrovert · Writer and Poet, Engineer, Consultant, Public Speaker · Writing about self-improvement, gratitude, and creativity · www.adrianspotter.com