Burnout and Purpose
In our society, something called burnout is a common phenomenon.
Most of us wrongfully assume that burnout results from working
too much, too long, or too hard. This isn't true.
Burnout comes not from a lack of time, but from a lack of
purpose. Have you ever noticed that when you're on fire with
enthusiasm for something you want to accomplish, you're able to
do it ceaselessly for hours or days at a time? The volume of
work you can accomplish makes those regular work duties pale by
comparison. Yet you experience no burnout. Burnout has nothing
to do with being too busy. If you want to avoid experiencing
burnout, all you need to do is to reclaim your sense of purpose.
You need motivation. Simply put, motivation is knowing why
you're doing something. If you have a compelling enough "why,"
the "how" will take care of itself, and you'll discover inner
resources you never knew you possessed, generating unexpected
energy, enthusiasm, and ideas which will lead you towards your
goals.
In all things in life and pertaining to your life itself, know
your purpose. Know why you're doing what you're doing every
moment of the day. Ask yourself frequently, "Why am I doing
this?" Once you get an answer, focus on that answer while you go
about accomplishing the task in front of you. Look as deeply as
you can into that question until the answers you come to are
satisfying and compelling. Make it an inner dialogue.
For example, as a student, you might find yourself experiencing
burnout while doing a lot of homework. You would then ask
yourself, "Why am I doing this?" Your initial response might be
"My parents are making me do it." Not very satisfying or helpful
as an answer. But you would then ask yourself other questions
such as "Why am I listening to them?" in which case you might
respond, "To earn their respect." "To keep peace in my home."
"Because they know that by doing well in school, I'll have a
better life, with more options." That might be enough to satisfy
you and motivate your continued action. If not, keep asking more
questions. Find the link between what you're doing and what you
ultimately want. Once you can identify the ways in which your
current actions impact your desired outcome, the job suddenly
becomes easier.
Having a sense of purpose for your life in general is a very
helpful tool for remaining happy and motivated. To understand
your life purpose, ask yourself: Why am I here? What do I have
to contribute to the world? Where will my influence be felt?
What am I good at? What do I enjoy doing? For what would I like
to be known? Who do I want to be like? When am I the happiest?
Once you've discovered your life purpose, ask yourself if your
day-to-day activities support that purpose. Are you on purpose?
Are you using your time wisely to produce the results you want
in life? If not, perhaps you should rethink the way you spend
your time.
Several years ago, as a chiropractic physician, I realized that
I was discontent. I was bored and anxious much of the day, and,
although I was outwardly successful, I felt no joy from my
success. In fact, I felt trapped. I'd arrive in my office early
and immediately begin fantasizing about the end of the day.
Everything seemed difficult and time-consuming. I was
experiencing burnout. For a time, I tried to solve my
difficulties by changing my schedule, limiting my workload. But
none of my strategies made a lasting impact on my life.
Then I tried the exercise I've described above. Asking myself
questions about what I enjoyed, what I felt was my unique
contribution to the world, when I felt most alive, it became
clear that my joy was in traveling, lecturing, and entertaining
large groups of people. I identified my life purpose as being to
educate, entertain and inspire groups of people, and to do it in
an ever changing environment, incorporating travel and
interaction with unique, unusual people. Clearly, the life I was
living offered none of the attributes I felt were necessary for
my purpose. I resolved immediately to change my life, to find an
outlet for my skills and talents, and to contribute what I felt
I was meant to contribute to the world in my own unique way.
Every one of us has something within us which sets us apart from
all other people on this planet. Your special contribution is
waiting to be made. Not only should you not feel guilty about
designing your life to express that unique gift, you should feel
guilty if you're not doing that. If you fail to blossom into the
person you were put on the planet to be, you're ripping the
world off. You're withholding something the rest of us may need.
Take the time to discover your purpose, and begin to live your
life in support of that purpose. The rest of us are waiting for
your gift.