In this episode, Cindy Esliger unpacks what burnout really looks like when we’re still functioning at a high level. Burnout doesn’t happen all at once; it sneaks in quietly. On the outside, everything looks fine, except it isn’t fine. The joy is gone, the spark isn’t there, and we’re barely holding it together. Cindy explains how to recognize the early warning signs of burnout, what the long-term personal and professional consequences can be, and how to step back from the brink of burnout. She wants us to reclaim control, protect our well-being, and build a version of success that doesn’t require continued self-sacrifice.
True burnout shows up as us continuing to do the job we’re paid to do until we simply can’t. We become completely physically and emotionally depleted, develop a detached and cynical attitude towards everything, and we desperately try to hide how ineffective we feel. We miss the signs of burnout until we finally realize we’re ready to collapse. Cindy draws on her personal experience with burnout to explain how it shows up incrementally, worms into every aspect of work, takes us down, and how the road to recovery is a very long journey.
The consequences of burnout are real, and Cindy points out five of the most common outcomes: 1. High-functioning depression, 2. Cognitive decline, 3. Damaged reputation, 4. Isolation and shame, and 5. Erosion of self-worth. There are strategies we can set in place to help avoid burnout, and Cindy identifies several. Overall, however, we may need to take stock of whether or not we’re in a toxic work environment or a career that simply doesn’t align with our values. Burnout recovery is possible, and we can choose to protect our well-being and success. Cindy is here to guide us through.
Resources discussed in this episode:
—
Contact Cindy Esliger
Career Confidence Coaching: website | instagram | facebook | linkedin | email
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.