The 3 Pillars of Burnout Prevention

How the 3-Selfs framework helps you fiercely prioritize your wellbeing and avoid burning out

Decades of research have established that burnout is caused by factors beyond the control of the individual. Instead, burnout is caused by cultural factors at three levels: organizational, societal and internalized. These factors lead to chronic workplace stress, which was identified by the World Health Organization as the cause of burnout.

To end burnout completely, we need to start and sustain major systemic and cultural change. This will require involvement from governments, institutions and organizations, and bold individual leaders to stimulate and sustain the movement.

In the meantime, individuals cannot afford to sit and wait patiently for systemic and cultural change to happen. They need to take matters into their own hands, because life is too precious and systemic change is too slow. Moreover, for leaders who are endeavoring to make these systemic changes, it’s important to take steps to protect their own wellbeing and ensure they don’t experience a great irony: burning out while trying to prevent burnout.

Alongside systemic and cultural change, an individual approach to prevent burnout is required — starting right now.