What is Professional Burnout?
Most of us have periods in our careers and jobs where we feel stressed, or exhausted, and perhaps wished for something different. But when these feelings escalate over time, burnout may result. We define burnout as a state of complete emotional and physical exhaustion, caused by chronic anxiety, unrelenting stress, or a prolonged lack of returned gratification. The term “professional burnout” really means “emotional burnout” over our jobs and careers. When someone puts so much of their time, sweat, and tears into their work, only to receive back stress, emptiness, and little satisfaction in return, over time this can lead to overwhelming exhaustion. The individual suffering from professional burnout loathes the notion of “going to work”, no longer has motivation, and desperately wishes there could be a way out….something better…anything.
