As someone who historically struggles with motivation issues, the topic of burnout is an important one to me.
If you’ve ever hit your limit before, you know one of the main symptoms of severe burnout is a loss of desire to work on your chosen project – or really to do anything that doesn’t have to do with resting your overtaxed body/brain.
Your motivation is precious. I mean, the whole operation depends on it. So it helps to know when burnout is on the way, oui? Here’s what I’ve noticed in my own burnout struggles.
A General Increase in Compensating Mechanisms
Not sure I’ve written about this before, but I have some *ahem* strong feelings about short-term vs long-term happiness.
Here’s the basic idea: Short-term happiness is your classic, hedonistic, sex-drugs-and-rock-and-roll good times, etc. It’s great in the moment, but, y’know, kind of a distraction from, well, life.
Yay, being numb is FUN!!!Long-term happiness might be unpleasant initially, but pays major dividends in the long run (though using the word ‘dividends probably didn’t sell it there..) Doing The Work is a critical example of this.
Because long-term happiness activities are often rather unpleasant initially, they are the first things to go when the stress starts mounting.
For example, I like to read non-fiction books while I eat. When I’m feeling more stressed though, I’ll often take my meals in front of Uncle YouTube. It’s a small thing, but definitely a warning sign.
A Declining Mood
Unlike noticeable choices like the one above, this one can really sneak up on ya. Sometimes it just feels like you’re tired at first, then you start getting irritable, and then BAM! Everything sucks.
This won’t necessarily express itself as irritability – some people become depressed, or cynical, or angry. Regardless, it likely means you’ve depleted your ability to absorb the small irritants that crop up daily (not least of which is feeling tired in the first place.)
An Increased Tendency to Procrastinate
In his butt-kicking book, The War of Art, Steven Pressfield describes the natural resistance we encounter when pursuing our goals as exactly that: Resistance. When burnout is looming, resistance changes from a familiar but beatable enemy to an angry lion.
If something that was just difficult before starts to feel like you’re trying to scale a mountain, it’s definitely time to take a closer look at yourself. Unless you’re ACTUALLY trying to scale a mountain.
And no, you’re not lazy.
Changes in Sleeping Habits
My wife and I have opposite patterns in this regard: I feel the need to start sleeping more often, while her thoughts keep her awake at night. Either way, it’s a sign of heavy stress, and too much of that? Yep, burnout.
Okay, enough of that. Let’s talk solutions.
- Make yourself STOP, sit down, and feel what you’re feeling, right now. Probably the most helpful tip I can offer, or how are you going to notice how exhausted you’re getting if you ignore what your body is saying to you?
- Ease off the gas pedal, or park if you can. If you managed to catch the symptoms early, you might just need to slow down for a bit. But if it’s bad, drop everything that’s not absolutely critical NOW – or life will do it for you.
- Focus on a part of the project you enjoy more for awhile. For example, I tend to get bored and petulant when I make dance risers. But I have a ton of fun practicing my DJing!
- Use mental tools for a quick boost. I you have to hang in there a little longer, conjure an image, a sound, anything that makes you feel relaxed and safe. For example, I’ve taken to imagining hugging my wife while Brian Eno plays in the background. No I’m not a sap, shut up.
- See a therapist. Much as I value self-sufficiency, one should always consider the professional option. The advice I’ve received from therapists haven’t exactly changed my life, but it has made some parts of it easier.
Credits:
‘A Roaring Lion’ by Petr Ganaj from Pexels
‘Close-Up Photo of Sleeping Dog’ by Lisa from Pexels
‘Free stock photo of broken pencil, burn, burn out’ by Tara Winstead from Pexels
‘Unhappy childish black man in studio’ by SHVETS production from Pexels