Burnout and How to Avoid It

02/21/22 • 33 min

7 Listeners

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos

If you dread getting out of bed in the morning; if you are bad tempered with co-workers, clients or customers; if you leave work feeling an exhaustion that goes way beyond tiredness... it could be that you're burned out.

Jonathan Malesic felt all these things as a successful academic, and reflected wistfully on his previous job working as a parking lot attendant. Could it be that taking a high status, high paying job was making him miserable and pushing him beyond the limits of his endurance? Jonathan shares what he learned about burnout while researching his bookThe End Of Burnout: Why Work Drains Us, And How To Build Better Lives.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Previous Episode

Fighting that "Meh" Feeling of Languishing

2 Recommendations

Psychologist and writer Adam Grant used every second of his day to the fullest... until he was struck by feelings of emptiness and stagnation. His sleep patterns changed, his productivity dipped, he found himself breaking his own rules by aimlessly watching Netflix. Adam decided this listless middle ground between depression and flourishing was "languishing" and he needed to escape it fast.

The author of the #1 NYT bestselling book Think Again: The Power of Knowing What You Don't Know (www.adamgrant.net/thinkagain), and host of TED's Work Life podcast (https://tedtalks.social/WLAdam) says we ignore this "meh" feeling at our peril and explains how he fought back against languishing...with a game of Mario Kart.

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Next Episode

Well-Read Black Girl: Finding Connection Through Community

Sharing a special preview of Pushkin's newest show, Well-Read Black Girl. Glory Edim started a book club called Well-Read Black Girl in 2015, and since then it's exploded into a passionate, worldwide reading community. She aims to amplify the voices of BIPOC writers and celebrate their literary achievements, using the power of conversation to help her members to connect with each other and grow as people.

Social connection is a topic we talk about a lot on The Happiness Lab. There’s lots of evidence that community and social connections are key ingredients for our well-being. The Well-Read Black Girl community embodies this spirit perfectly— group members share their experiences about their favorite writers and express their admiration so beautifully. On the Well-Read Black Girl podcast, Glory has deep, honest conversations with authors of color about the art, craft and power of the written word. You'll hear from luminaries like Tarana Burke, Gabrielle Union, Anita Hill, and more, about how they found their voice, honed their craft, navigated the wild world of publishing, and showed up in the world. We hope listening to this clip will give you a little boost of positive emotion and community.

You can listen to more episodes of Well-Read Black Girl at https://link.chtbl.com/happinesslabgloryedim

Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos - Burnout and How to Avoid It

Transcript Summary

In this episode titled "Burnout and How to Avoid It," the podcast explores the phenomenon of the "Great Resignation," where highly skilled mid-career workers are quitting their jobs in large numbers due to burnout. Burnout, characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness, is not a new concept and has ancient roots. The changing nature of work, such as the increase in service jobs and the presence of "bullshit jobs" with no clear purpose, contributes to burnout. Feeling burnt out can lead to questioning one's identity and purpose, but finding dignity outside of work is crucial. Structural changes like a living wage and reasonable hours can honor dignity, while recognizing our limitations and embracing uncomfortable emotions can help overcome burnout. However, individual changes alone are insufficient, and collective action to change work cultures is necessary to address burnout. The episode also touches on the importance of breaking the cycle of perpetuating burnout culture and striving for work-life balance. Additionally, the podcast announces that it will be releasing a new season and bonus episodes. This thought-provoking episode highlights the causes and consequences of burnout while offering strategies to avoid it, making it a must-listen for anyone seeking a healthier work-life balance.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:15.435

Pushkin. The COVID nineteen pandemic has brought lots of odd new expressions and concepts into the public consciousness, things like social distancing, variant of concern, flattening the curve fomites. But the new post COVID concept I want to focus on today is one that I find especially interesting from the perspective of thinking about our negative emotions. That concept is the great resignation. It's a term coined by Anthony Clots, an expert in

Burnout and How to Avoid It Top Questions Answered

What are bullshit jobs and why are they called that?

Bullshit jobs are jobs that lack a clear purpose or meaning, even to the workers themselves. They are called bullshit because they are often seen as pointless or unnecessary.

How can having a job that doesn't consume your entire being prevent burnout?

Having a job that doesn't take up all of your time and energy allows for a better work-life balance, which can help prevent feelings of burnout and ineffectiveness.

What is "The Parking Lot Movie" about?

"The Parking Lot Movie" is a documentary that showcases the experiences of parking lot attendants who find their work to be relaxing and fulfilling, highlighting an alternative work experience.

How can recognizing everyone's dignity contribute to a better work culture?

By recognizing and honoring the dignity of all individuals, regardless of their work, a more inclusive and respectful work culture can be created.

What structural changes can honor human dignity in the workplace?

Structural changes such as implementing living wages, reasonable working hours, and basic income can help honor and acknowledge the dignity of workers.

How can acknowledging our finitude help overcome burnout?

Recognizing our limitations and making peace with them is essential in overcoming burnout. It allows us to set realistic expectations and prioritize self-care.

Are individual changes enough to address burnout?

No, individual changes alone may not be enough to address burnout. Burnout is influenced by both individual and cultural factors, necessitating collective action for comprehensive solutions.

Why is solidarity and collective action important in combating burnout?

Solidarity and collective action are crucial to combat burnout because they enable change in cultural expectations around work and create a supportive environment for addressing burnout collectively.

What is the concept of the "Great Resignation"?

The "Great Resignation" refers to the significant increase in people quitting their jobs, particularly mid-career workers in their late thirties and forties, which has been observed in recent years.

What are the symptoms of burnout?

Burnout is characterized by exhaustion, cynicism, and a reduced sense of effectiveness. It can manifest as feeling overwhelmed physically and emotionally, difficulty concentrating, dissatisfaction with work, and a sense of failure.

Show more Questions