We’re Burnt Out – Here’s Why
Remember that feeling? The alarm screams, but your soul whimpers. Another day stretches before you, a landscape of tasks and to-dos that feel utterly… pointless. You drag yourself through the motions, a shadow of your former self, wondering if this is all there is. You’re not alone. In fact, a staggering 70% of adults surveyed report feeling completely unfulfilled in their jobs and careers. Let that sink in. We’re not just tired; we’re burnt out, and it’s silently chipping away at our health, our happiness, and our very zest for life.
This isn’t just about needing a vacation. This is a deep-seated issue rooted in the very fabric of our modern society. In this post, we’re going to dive deep into why burnout has become such a pervasive problem and, more importantly, how you can break free from its suffocating grip and choose a life filled with purpose and joy.
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Ready to stop feeling like a hamster on a wheel and start living a life you genuinely love? Get your copies of The Pick A Horse and The Manifest Journal now and take control of your journey!
What Exactly IS Burnout Anyway?
The Evolution of a Modern Malady
We hear the word “burnout” thrown around a lot, but what does it truly mean? It’s more than just being tired or stressed. As one person close to me recently said, they felt “checked out,” completely done with life. While the intensity of that statement is profound, the underlying feeling of being utterly depleted and disengaged is a hallmark of burnout.
Interestingly, the term “burnout” isn’t new. While it might feel like a modern epidemic, it actually surfaced in the 1950s and gained widespread recognition in the 1980s. The concept was significantly shaped by Dr. Herbert Freudenberger’s groundbreaking book, “Burnout: The High Cost of High Achievement.“
The Trap of Endless Achievement
Dr. Freudenberger’s insights were born from his own experience. As a driven scientist and psychologist, he found himself feeling utterly drained, questioning the purpose of his work, and struggling to even get out of bed. He observed a relentless cycle: achieve one goal, only to have another one immediately placed in front. It’s the societal pressure we all feel – that constant need to climb the next ladder, win the next trophy, earn the next promotion.
This relentless pursuit of achievement, without a deeper sense of fulfillment, lies at the heart of burnout. It’s not just about being depressed or tired; it’s a profound sense of detachment, a feeling that nothing brings joy. I can personally relate to this. There have been times in my life where it felt like the well of happiness had simply run dry, no matter what I accomplished.
The Modern Acceleration of Burnout
In today’s society, this cycle of high achievement has been amplified. The constant connectivity, the pressure to always be “on,” and the economic realities have created a perfect storm for burnout to thrive. It’s a response to the overwhelming stress of modern life, often stemming from a feeling that our work lacks meaning or contribution.
A staggering 37% of adults today feel their jobs contribute nothing to society. That’s a huge number of people spending their precious time doing something they believe is ultimately insignificant. I remember feeling this acutely during my corporate days.
The Corporate Hamster Wheel: My Own Descent into Burnout
The Illusion of Contribution
Working at Wells Fargo, I experienced firsthand the disconnect between the work we did and its real impact. We’d have massive hiring fairs for huge projects, fueled by ambitious campaigns. We’d bring in droves of people, promising opportunity and growth. But then, if targets weren’t met, the layoffs would begin. The cycle of hiring, hyping, and then firing felt like a soul-crushing hamster wheel. I was hiring people, giving them hope, only to be part of the process that deemed some “better” and others expendable based on budget constraints.
I became utterly burnt out with this corporate dance. The initial excitement and the feeling of contributing to something “big” dissolved into a sense of meaninglessness.
The Same Song, Different Verse
Hoping for a change, I moved to Chase. The culture was undoubtedly better, and as a Vice President, my role was more engaging. Yet, the underlying feeling of being on a perpetual, unfulfilling cycle persisted. It was audit, success, audit, success – an endless loop with no real sense of purpose beyond the next checkpoint.
The stark realization hit me: if I were to be hit by a bus tomorrow, the company would simply find someone else to fill my role. My existence within that corporate structure felt ultimately replaceable and lacking in personal significance. That’s when the desire for something more ignited within me – the yearning to build something of my own.
Are you tired of feeling like a cog in someone else’s machine? The Pick A Horse can guide you in making those pivotal life-changing decisions, helping you identify your path, not the one laid out for you. And once you find that path, The Manifest Journal provides the structured daily reflection you need to stay focused, overcome obstacles, and build a life of purpose, one day at a time. These aren’t just books; they’re companions on your journey to a more fulfilling existence.
The BS Jobs and the Gig Economy: Fueling the Flames of Burnout
The Lack of Meaningful Connection
Dr. Freudenberger’s work laid the foundation, but subsequent thinkers have delved deeper into the nature of modern work. They’ve highlighted the rise of what some call “BS jobs” – roles that feel inherently pointless and contribute little to society. While some examples like actuaries or statisticians might seem abstract, the feeling of unfulfillment extends far beyond these traditional roles.
Think about the vast number of people working in fulfillment centers or gig economy jobs. While these roles serve a function and pay the bills, many individuals in these positions feel a profound lack of purpose and connection to their work. The monotonous nature and the feeling of being a small, interchangeable part of a large machine can inevitably lead to burnout.
The Siren Song of Stability vs. the Call of Purpose
I understand the allure of a stable paycheck. I was there. I made good money in my corporate roles. But that financial security came at the cost of my joy and my sense of purpose. Ultimately, I realized that the risk of stepping into the unknown, of pursuing my own dreams, was far less terrifying than the prospect of continuing down a path that led to increasing burnout.
Think about it: would you risk a certain amount for the potential of a much greater reward? For me, the potential reward wasn’t just financial; it was the reward of living a life aligned with my passions.
The Burnout Society: The Pressure to Constantly Achieve
The Tyranny of Positivity
There’s a powerful book called “The Burnout Society” by Byung-Chul Han that brilliantly dissects our current predicament. It argues that we live in an “achievement society,” where worth is often measured by external accomplishments. Even my own walls have reminders of achievements, but I can tell you that the true fulfillment lies not in the accolades themselves, but in the journey, the purpose-driven action that led to them.
Awards and recognition are fleeting. They don’t provide lasting purpose. Purpose comes from the intrinsic joy of what you do, regardless of external validation. The burnout society thrives on the pressure to constantly achieve, often driven by societal expectations and the pursuit of status. We chase prestigious jobs, titles, and qualifications, thinking they will bring happiness, only to find ourselves empty.
Choosing Yourself: The Antidote to Burnout
The easy, yet often challenging, solution to burnout is choosing yourself. It’s about identifying what you truly want to do, even if it seems unconventional or doesn’t immediately promise riches or status. People might not understand your choices; they might even deem them “dumb.” But your purpose isn’t dictated by others’ opinions.
Look at my own journey. From real estate to launching a music label – seemingly disparate fields. People struggle when they care too much about what others think, when they’re fixated on external validation like YouTube play buttons or Spotify awards. The true joy comes from the act of creating, performing, or building something you love. Because when you choose something you’re passionate about, thinking positively about it comes naturally. It’s no longer a forced exercise in motivation for something you resent.
Redefining Success: Beyond Achievement
We need to redefine success beyond mere achievement. Life isn’t just about ticking off boxes and accumulating accomplishments. It’s about living with purpose, and that purpose is unique to each individual. Take time to relax, to contemplate. That’s not idleness; it’s essential for recalibrating and reconnecting with yourself. We’re burnt out because we’re constantly striving for productivity, often without a clear “for what.”
When you align your life with your chosen purpose, you’re already a millionaire in spirit, long before any financial milestone. You don’t need external validation to feel fulfilled because your joy comes from within. You own your time, your choices, your business (if that’s your path), and you get to define your own version of success.
Escaping the Burnout Trap: Choosing You and Building Your Dreams
If you’re in that place of monotony, repetition, and a lack of joy, it’s time to consider another option: choosing you. Don’t let societal pressures or the allure of a steady paycheck keep you trapped in a cycle of burnout. You can make money and build wealth doing what you love, regardless of what anyone else thinks.
It’s time to stop living a life dictated by others, trying to force positivity onto jobs that drain you. Break free from the burnout cycle by choosing yourself.
- Get your copies of The Pick A Horse and The Manifest Journal and embark on the journey of self-discovery and purposeful living.
- Watch the original YouTube video for even more in-depth insights and personal anecdotes.
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This is Noelle, To your success!
