Burnout doesn’t happen because of too much work. It happens because we’re not passionate about the work we’re doing.
The practice of becoming an impact player means stepping outside of your comfort zone and seeking work you’re passionate about and can contribute to.
Liz Wiseman is a researcher, executive advisor, writer at Big Think, and author of Impact Players, How to Take the Lead, and Multiply Your Impact.
Many theories on burnout look at the differences in personality types. Some include extraversion and introversion and symptoms of type A or B. In her findings, she comes to her own conclusions on personality differences as she shares the difference between the kinds of people who burn out quickly and those who self-recover in the workplace.
“Studies show that when you’re working on something you feel passionate about — when you feel impact — you’re often able to go on much longer and be more productive than when you’re simply going through the motions”
Liz Wiseman
#1 Reason We Burnout
Navigating and recovering from burnout requires a shift in how we perceive work environments. Essentially, if we’re doing work we’re not proud of, not passionate about, and going through the emotions, we’re more likely to experience burnout.
Also, environments where we’re scrutinized, criticized, and unseen can exacerbate emotional exhaustion, lower self-esteem, and jeopardize work commitment.
Liz Wiseman says, “We don’t tend to burn out because we’ve got too much work. We burn out because we have too little impact.” Compared to workplace environments where people feel unseen, they report feeling exhilarating, fulfilled, and energized when they feel like what they’re doing matters and are noticed. Someone who feels good about themselves is most likely to be an impact player.
“How you work has significant implications for burnout, for our own burnout, for burnout that’s happening inside an organization.”
How to Develop as an Impact Player
The idea of an impact player comes from team members who impact a game or sport. Wiseman shares that we can all apply this in our work lives if we practice. Impact players don’t just show up; they do the needed job.
The difference between “just showing up” and doing the required job is in your mindset. Just showing up or doing your job tasks is a mindset of competence.
It means minimally meeting the requirements listed in the job description. For some of you, that’s the goal and is not an issue.
Why should we work harder? Or more?
Read The Book: Anti-Anxiety Formula
Wiseman describes this mindset as: “This is my job, it’s what I was hired to do, this is my boundary, this is my box, and I’m going to do it, and I’m going to do it well.” There is nothing wrong with that position. However, it becomes monotonous, boring, and uneventful after a while.
Ever felt like you’ve been going through the motions? Is the same routine day after day? Lacking passion or purpose in life? It’s the result of checking the boxes and a road to burnout.
In contrast, the mindset of an impact player is one of service. How do you lead with service within your organization? It requires stepping outside of your comfort zone, networking, and finding a project that is outside of your routine, engaging, and visible.
Being a part of and completing something larger than yourself can influence positive feelings that are usually not associated with your work routine. Variety is an excellent antidote to burnout. Be specific. Instead of creating more work, think about doing more impactful work.
Take Home
The road to burnout is not quick, sometimes subtle, and always unpleasant. Several tips and techniques are scoured across the internet for what to do when you feel past your limit. With today’s lesson, I hope you’ve found some more preventative information about burnout. The next time you’re worried about burnout, your schedule, or your place in the organization, try stepping outside of your comfort zone.
Quotes That Are Guiding Me This Week
A couple of quotes along the way often help. Here are some of the favorites this week.
- I have a theory that burnout is about resentment. And you beat it by knowing what it is you’re giving up that makes you resentful. — Marissa Mayer
- Burnout is nature’s way of telling you, you’ve been going through the motions your soul has departed; you’re a zombies, a member of the walking dead, a sleepwalker. False optimism is like administrating stimulants to an exhausted nervous system. — Sam Keen
- While burnout obviously has something to do with stress, overdoing things, not being centred, and not listening to yourself or your body, one of the deepest contributors to burnout, I believe, is the deep disappointment of not living up to your true calling, which is to help. — Jenn Bruer
- By refreshing our sense of belonging in the world, we widen the web of relationships that nourishes us and protects us from burnout. — Joanna Macy & Chris Johnstone
- Learn to enjoy every minute of your life. Be happy now. Don’t wait for something outside of yourself to make you happy in the future. Think how really precious is the time you have to spend, whether it’s at work or with your family. Every minute should be enjoyed and savored. — Earl Nightingale
- You can find more information about Liz Wiseman here.
- You can find articles similar to this at Big Think.
- Read Living A Purpose Driven Life at A Writers Business.