An autobiographical observation about burnout which perhaps can help someone.
I enjoy working hard. Long hours, difficult problems, etc etc. On some occasions this has resulted with me either flirting with burnout or actually experiencing it. Crucially, not always.
The difference between burnout and just tiredness has, in my experience, been people.
Situations that (could)/result in burnout are those in which work is coupled with a recurring negative social interaction at work. A work relationship that results in feeling insecure and vulnerable.
In my case these have been:
1. Working with a "nice guy" that nonetheless tears down your work, making you question your value/worth or value of your work.
2. Working with someone with a very fragile ego that requires walking on eggshells, or even just avoiding collaborating with him/her in order to avoid conflict.
So for me, burnout has been much more about the social element. And crucially, when that negative social element is not there, hard work can be the most invigorating feeling in the world (not hyperbole).
The only cure I've found for avoiding burnout when working with a person with whom I just don't click has been to quit or fire them. It has little to do with the hours put in.
I enjoy working hard. Long hours, difficult problems, etc etc. On some occasions this has resulted with me either flirting with burnout or actually experiencing it. Crucially, not always.
The difference between burnout and just tiredness has, in my experience, been people.
Situations that (could)/result in burnout are those in which work is coupled with a recurring negative social interaction at work. A work relationship that results in feeling insecure and vulnerable.
In my case these have been:
1. Working with a "nice guy" that nonetheless tears down your work, making you question your value/worth or value of your work.
2. Working with someone with a very fragile ego that requires walking on eggshells, or even just avoiding collaborating with him/her in order to avoid conflict.
So for me, burnout has been much more about the social element. And crucially, when that negative social element is not there, hard work can be the most invigorating feeling in the world (not hyperbole).
The only cure I've found for avoiding burnout when working with a person with whom I just don't click has been to quit or fire them. It has little to do with the hours put in.