“Burnout Empties You From Within”
Dr. Norbert Riethof explains why we burn out, how we recover, and the importance of meaning in our work lives.
I reached out to Dr. Norbert Riethof after encountering his name on a particularly awesome academic paper about burnout while researching for my book. Based in Prague, Dr. Riethof is a noted burnout expert and an executive coach — plus, he’s a wise and thoughtful conversationalist.
I learned so much from our discussion — here is a lightly edited version.
So, what is burnout?
Burnout is a syndrome composed of three key aspects: (1) emotional exhaustion, (2) depersonalization or cynicism, and (3) decrease in personal efficacy. To my mind, exhaustion is the most important component. It’s not just emotional, but a total exhaustion of your resources — mental, psychological, physical, spiritual.
Burnout usually occurs in the context of work as a result of stressful conditions which may take anywhere from weeks to years to manifest. I’ve met people who had been suffering from burnout symptoms for decades. And this is what is dangerous about burnout: people continue to go to work and do what they are supposed to do, while burnt out, and don’t admit that there is a serious issue which requires change or treatment.
