Is Laziness a Sign You Are Burning Out?

Find yourself procrastinating or feeling unmotivated at work? It could be a sign you are burning out.

Many times, burnout manifests in the form of laziness and apathy. This condition may seem intimidating or scary. It's important to realize that you're not alone. According to Gallup, only 15% of the global workforce report feeling engaged at work.

Burnout can hurt your Career Success and impact your well-being. But there are several strategies you can use to overcome burnout. And to regain your motivation and productivity at work. The most important step is to learn as much as you can about career burnout. This is what we'll focus on in this article.

What Is Career Burnout?

Career burnout is a state of mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. It stems from prolonged stress in your workplace. Many people experience a loss of motivation. They report decreased productivity, and feelings of hopelessness due to job burnout.

In recent years, workplace burnout has been rising. As many as 43% of workers globally report feeling burned out in 2020. That was 5% more than the previous year!

How Does Burnout Happen?

Once you spot signs of burnout, the next step is to understand what factors contribute to it. Generally speaking, there are several causes of job burnout.

Being passionate about your work is key to Career Success. People who are more engaged in their profession tend to be happier and more energized. Unfortunately, many workers find themselves in jobs that don't match their interests. As a result, they can become disengaged and experience burnout.

"I was working in a corporate marketing job that left me feeling unfulfilled. I was passionate about creative writing, but my job required me to do a lot of data analysis. I didn't feel like my work was aligned with my interests, so I eventually became burned out." - Nadia, Marketing

Poor Work-Life Balance

According to a recent study, people who worked more than 55 hours a week were 33% more likely to suffer from a stroke. Also, people who work long hours are at greater risk of developing heart disease.

The occasional long week is par for the course. But regularly working excessive hours can lead to burnout.

"I was working 60-hour weeks and never had any time for myself," she says. "I was always stressed out and exhausted. I eventually realized that I needed to make a change, or I was going to burn out." - Sarah, Accounting

Lack of Control Over Your Work

Having autonomy at your job is one sign you're valued by your employer. You want to show you're trustworthy with meaningful tasks. If your job feels like never-ending tedious tasks and you have little say, this can lead to burnout.

"I was constantly being given new assignments with unrealistic deadlines. I felt like I was being set up to fail. I didn't have any control over my work, and it was taking a toll on my mental health." — Laura, Project Managment

What’s a Sign You Are Burning Out?

Unfortunately, it's not always easy to tell whether you're experiencing burnout. This is because the symptoms can be quite subtle, and people tend to brush them off as normal parts of life. But, it's important to be aware of any warning sign you are burning out and take action if necessary.

Sudden Drop in Productivity

A sudden drop in productivity can manifest itself in many ways. This includes taking longer to complete tasks, making more mistakes, or forgetting details. If you're struggling to keep up with your workload, take a step back and assess the situation.

Difficulty Concentrating

When you're burned out, it can be difficult to focus on anything. Your mind may feel foggy, and it may be hard to process information. This can make it difficult to complete even simple tasks.

Negative Attitude Toward Work

Do you find yourself dreading going to work? Are you no longer interested in your job? If you're experiencing burnout, you've likely lost all enthusiasm for your work. This can be a difficult symptom to cope with. It can make going to work feel like a chore.

Increased Absenteeism

If you're struggling to get out of bed in the morning, it's a sign you are burning out. This is because burnout can lead to physical and mental exhaustion. This makes it difficult to function on a daily basis. Taking more sick days than usual or calling in sick when you're not sick? You're not being evasive or lazy. It's a major sign you are burning out.

You See No Future With Your Current Employer

A lack of advancement opportunities can often cause career burnout. If you feel stuck in a dead-end job with no chance of moving up, it's only natural to feel burned out.

What’s Burnout Costing You?

The impact of job burnout can be far-reaching and long-lasting. Here are some of the downs that you may be facing due to burnout.

Decreased Job Satisfaction and Engagement

You're spending a significant part of your life at work. It's only natural that you want to enjoy what you're doing. But, if your job is causing burnout, you may have a negative outlook on your career. You might also lose interest in the activities that once brought you happiness. Over time, this can lead to lower engagement levels at work. And decreased satisfaction with your job.

Higher Chances of Job Loss

If burnout is not addressed, it can lead to job loss. As your productivity levels plummet, your performance starts to suffer. This may put you at risk of being fired. In some cases, you may even quit your job due to the unbearable stress that burnout causes.

Increased Healthcare Costs

Burnout can have a significant impact on your physical and mental health. If left unchecked, it can lead to heart disease, anxiety, depression, and more. These health problems can be costly to treat and may even need you to take time off work.

How to Move Past Burnout

If you're experiencing burnout, the best thing you can do is address your symptoms. Find ways to improve your work situation!

Prioritize Self-care

When you're burned out, taking some time for yourself is important. This may mean making time to exercise and getting enough sleep each night. And if you're still wondering how to love your job, plugging into hobbies can help spark joy. Some of these hobbies, such as playing soccer as part of the company soccer team, you can partake in while at work.

Decide Whether You Want to Continue in Your Current Role

This may be a good time to schedule a meeting with your manager. Talk to them about your symptoms of burnout and see if they can offer any advice or support to help you get back on track.

This may include changes to your workload, schedule, or responsibilities. It may involve seeking professional development opportunities to help you build new skills. Do what you can to regain the motivation you need to succeed at work.

Prepare for Your Next Role

If you've noticed signs you're in the wrong job, it may be time to consider changing careers. If this is the route you decide to take, start by taking some time to research different roles that interest you. There are plenty of resources that can help you learn about different career options. Narrow down your search from there. Uvaro's Career Change Guide is a great place to start.

Use your network and reach out to people you know who work in industries you're considering. These chats can be helpful in getting an inside look at what day-to-day in that field is like. And as you're building these connections, don't forget to ask about referrals! Getting your foot in the door of your dream career may be as simple as reaching out to someone you know.

Overcome Your Career Burnout Today With Uvaro

No matter what you decide to do, remember that you have the power to take control of your career. If you're feeling burnt out, make a change. The only way to overcome job burnout is to address the root of the problem.

Are you looking to talk to someone about your feelings toward work and Career Success? Don't avoid a sign you are burning out! A Career Coach can help you as you deal with the complex emotions and feelings around burnout. Download our Career Success Catalog and learn how we can help you stay motivated at work again.