18 | Barometer on Burnout Risk

Burnout is dangerous.

Some of the consequences are obvious and easy to measure - the potential loss of an income stream, the stress caused by an infinite email stream, or the persistent feeling of overwhelm as you start another day.

Some of the consequences are deceptive and maybe impossible to measure - the impact of bitterness towards your colleagues, apathy towards your work, or future options slowly falling off the table.

Acknowledging it's dangerous is a start. Keeping tabs on it seems like an integral skill.

It's hard to measure, because it's the kind of line you can't see until you've crossed it.

Counting down to the weekend every Monday morning feels like burn-out risk is trending higher.

Pleasure reading about "work" topics during free time feels like burn-out risk is trending lower.

When you find yourself saying "I deserve this" as you sign off and head on vacation it might be trending higher.

These aren't the kinds of things that get fixed overnight, but they can change over years.

It's easy to think a 10% raise is the highest impact thing you can do for your finances.

It's easy to measure. It's easy to see when it hits the bank account. It might be in your control. Like ibuprofen, it relieves pain...temporarily.

A 10% reduction in burnout risk is a whole different category.

You might feel it immediately or maybe you won't.

It's certainly not hitting a traditional bank account.

But...it might help you discover something that you hope you get to do forever or breathe life into a stale routine or provide the opportunity to connect with family and friends that hasn't existed before.

You’ll never be able to measure any of these things, but maybe that’s a sign that they’re worth it.

Additional Reading:

"You Better Love This" by Morgan Housel

"Mexican Fisherman and the Investment Banker" by Unknown Author