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burnout vs. laziness - Tired of working from home

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Sometimes just the thought of having to handle various responsibilities will drive you to your breaking point. That “breaking point” could manifest as anger or procrastination. And in some cases, laziness. Not because you’re actually lazy, but because you’re burnt out from working so hard. As a result, your mind and body do a 180 as a form of self preservation.

It is easy to be confused as laziness and burnout have similar symptoms. For example, fatigue, disinterest, or dissatisfaction. Irritability, apathy, and distractibility, as well.

The key difference between the two are their roots and effects on the body.

Burnout vs. Laziness

You can beat laziness by understanding it is a psychological limitation. The causes are usually fear, feeling overwhelmed, or lack of motivation. Overcome the fear by setting action plans for the “worst case scenarios.” If you have a way to “safety” from what you fear, you will feel more secure. Similarly, get ahead of being overwhelmed by setting manageable goals. Unrealistic expectations are likely to leave you frustrated and failing. Lastly, a lack of motivation doesn’t stand a chance against accountability. Surround yourself with people who will keep you focused and motivated.

Burnout, on the other hand, is physiological – affecting mind, body, and emotions. Psychologist Christina Maslach describes burnout as a three component syndrome that arises in response to chronic stressors. The symptoms include exhaustion, cynicism, and inefficacy.

Exhaustion burdens you and undermines your ability to work effectively. It also prevents you from enjoying tasks you were once passionate about. Additionally, hustle culture, lack of control, intense pressure, or simply having too much to do, play a role. Conquering exhaustion requires change on an organizational level. Rearranging your schedule, delegating tasks, and taking time off can all be implemented so you are able to adequately replenish.

SEE ALSO: How Cheslie Kryst’s Story Reveals The Hidden Battle Of Mental Health In The Pursuit Of Perfection

Cynicism, also known as depersonalization, is what happens when you disengage from responsibilities. High conflict, unfairness, and lack of participation all contribute to this factor of burnout. Instead of engaging and investing in projects and people that you love, cynicism makes you detach. In extreme cases one can feel callous or completely cold. Open, honest conversation can alleviate the issue behind cynicism. Talking through why you feel removed or negative is open door to regaining connection, enjoyment, and pride to the areas in which you lost them.

Lastly, inefficacy. You won’t often find exhaustion and cynicism present without it. People can’t be top performers when they’re depleted and indifferent. According to Harvard Business Review, burnout can also start with inefficacy if you lack the resources and support to do your job well. This can include adequate time, information, clear expectations, autonomy, and good relationships with those whose involvement you need to succeed. The absence of feedback and meaningful recognition, which leaves you wondering about the quality of your work and feeling that it’s unappreciated, can also activate this component. Beat inefficacy by pinpointing what you need and why. Be sure to vocalize your needs with those that can help.

Overall, the best way to beat burnout is to prevent it. Now that you know its causes and effects, get ahead by setting healthy boundaries. Prioritize self-care, reduce stress exposure, and shift your perspective. Be confident that you aren’t lazy, you just need to recover from burnout.

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Burnout vs. Laziness: What’s Really Draining You?  was originally published on elev8.com