Feature Article:
Five Signs of Burnout
Most people, at one time or another, feel unfulfilled by their jobs. But how do you know if burnout has set in? And more importantly, what do you do about it? The following are five signs that may be burned out.

1. Feeling Overworked. If you find yourself consistently working overtime to meet deadlines, wishing that there were more hours in the day, and not able to remember the last time you saw the bottom of your inbox, you're overworking. Continuous overwork can lead to exhaustion and burnout.
2. Boredom. Believe it or not, some people don't have enough to do at their job. Boredom can lead to burnout if you don't feel challenged by your job, or if you feel that your work is not valued or important. Day after day spent watching the clock tick can cause burnout just as quickly as overworking.
3. Stress. When stress levels increase, one's ability to cope with problems and unexpected situations decreases. Although some people seem to thrive on stress, continually being under pressure can lead to reduced performance and burnout.
   
4. Difficulty getting to work. When the thought of facing another Monday is almost too much to bear, burnout has set in. Some people may even develop physical symptoms such as headaches and nausea at the thought of being at work.
   
5. Poor concentration. If you have trouble focusing on tasks at hand, you may be burned out. Tasks that are difficult or uninteresting generally take more time and energy to complete, but constantly finding yourself having to redirect your attention to the task at hand may be a sign of burnout.

If these signs feel familiar, you may be burned out. But don't despair! Burnout does not have to be a permanent state. If you are feeling overworked, bored, or stressed, talk to your supervisor about modifying your duties to better fit your time and talents. If you have difficulty getting to work or trouble concentrating when you arrive, look at ways to organize your day so that boring or difficult tasks are interspersed with more pleasant activities. You might also try learning something new and expanding your talents. Develop a system both at work and at outside the office to help you deal with the daily grind. In addition, be sure to get annual medical check-ups to rule out physical conditions that may mimic the signs of burnout. Finally, if you continue to experience burnout symptoms despite your best efforts, contact your employee assistance program for help.
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