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  Kimberly Norton July 10, 2013 18:58

  I agree with the indicators mentioned by others.  Another one is withdrawal from normal activities. Understanding your personal indicators (as we all respond differently) is important to treating symptoms early before they get to full burnout. 

  My own ways of dealing with stress are exercise, more frequent contact with those who tend to balance me or whose company I enjoy (you don't need to share you need balance), resetting priorities and having a symbol of a good moment readily available which I can access to focus on what's important. And make regular time for yourself.
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  Somaira Azam July 10, 2013 18:14

  Emotional exhaustion and burnout is quite common in top performers or type A personality. As they desire to achieve a level of perfection, which many times requires too much time, energy, focus, jeopardizing their family and leisure life. The initial symptoms of anxiety may go unnoticed. When the person start showing signs of irritability/lethargy and he/or she finds difficulty to function to their maximum. It signals that person is exhibiting signs and symptoms of Emotional Exhaustion, which if not taken care of might lead to full blown sings/symptoms of depression. 

  The best thing is to learn the basics of emotional intelligence. It would be better for the person to take a short break or add more relaxing activities, such as, yoga, swimming, cooking for healthiny eating to his schedule. Redefining the targets could also alleviate the symptoms. 
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  Alan Theodore Russell July 10, 2013 11:01

  Here a few of my thoughts:

  The mantra I was given for figuring if you were suffering from burnout was when you get to the stage when big issues look small and small issues look big.  In finance you worry about the pennies rather than the dollars or pounds and the big picture.

  I worked with one senior director and he told me his symptoms of burnout were thinking that the company could not do without him. So he did not take holidays and was always looking at his emails at home after hours trying to do everything.  Eventually the parent company closed the subsidiary he was running due to it not making enough profits.  In a private moment during the closure process the director said that the biggest mistake he made was not learning to walk away and switch off.   I guess this is the same as the contents of my first comment in another format.

  Finally, another sign is when the frustrations at work come home with you and instead of seeking some support in the family environment you start criticising family members for the most insignificant of issues.  Learn to recognise your own changes in behaviour as this is a sure sign of approaching crash and burn as well.

   
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  Nigel Cann July 10, 2013 4:15

  Boris - good discussion to open up.  I'll kick off some feedback for you and this is the parts I know about myself after 15 years in front line management positions through to General Manager of Operations and then 5 years of Risk Management consulting.

  One think I seem to naturally have is to virtually ignore the stuff I cant control or have an impact on.  If you dont burden yourself with the stuff you cant control it can make a big difference.  That said you also have to be innovative and look for and cease opportunities to have an impact in everything you can.  Sometimes you think things are out of your hands - but I have been surprised how often it is possible to influenec things in your favour (the positive side of risk).

  I have two warning signs that let me know I am stressed:

  1)  I can feel the tension build up across my shoulders; and

  2)  My wife asks why I'm grumpy (this one sometimes comes up when I don't even realize I have a problem).

  The way out of it seems top always be the same for me - plan my way out.  Take the time out, formulate a plan and then ACT.  For me, once I have a plan, I know what I am doing, I can let others know, we can refine and improve things together and the team then has direction also.  

  At a personal level I have learnt to manage work at work and home life at home (even in this age of constant emails on smartphones - I generally only respond out of hours to linked in and other professional curiosity messages when I have chosen to check-in).  I have an easy swap as I have a fairly brisk 30min bike ride each way between work and home - it's easy to switch over after concentrating in the dark on those bumps in the pathway or managing conflict with pedestrians or cars at various stages in the journey).  Equally there is a need to be flexible - know when to work hard and late, and equally be prepared to pinch time back for family things like late starts on birthday mornings - spend the day with your wife on your anniversary etc.  And when there is a conflict err on the side of family (it means you can do the work thing when it really is important).

  Hope this is the sort of stuff you where after.

  Cheers
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  Andrew Thompson July 9, 2013 20:10

  If you're asking this question, its possible you're already suffering from early symptoms of burnout. 
  
  I've been there many times - my recommendation is book yourself a week holiday, then in 3 weeks book another one. Rinse and repeat.
  
  Many shorter breaks are better than one big one once a year. Your body needs time to rest, to soak up sunshine (Vitamin D, proven to lower stress hormone response) and to recuperate.  
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  David Struch July 9, 2013 19:14

  I think the biggest issue is the fact that most risk management people are always under a considerable amount of stress so we get used to being that way (and used to the pressure and effects it has on us). When we finally realize we are stressed out - it is extreme and very high on the tolerance chart. What we all need to do is find a way to recognize the stress at a lower level and to start dealing with it there, rather than plowing through (which seems normal). Since stress is a cumulative problem, our need for daily calming / meditation of some sort is paramount for us to keep our sharp edge.
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  Enrique Zavala, CPP July 9, 2013 17:08

  All of the above comments are right. But the worst scenario is when you somatizes the burnout and involves your family on it, Is the time to decide: your health (physical and psycological) or your bank account. Which is first?

  All of the above comments are right. But the worst scenario is when you somatizes the burnout and involves your family on it, Is the time to decide: your health (physical and psycological) or your bank account. Which is first?
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  Renu Jha July 9, 2013 14:14

  You know you're suffering from burnout when you lose your drive and motivation; the job stops being interesting and the only reason you go to work is because you need the paycheck....on a lighter note you know it when you regularly hate Mondays and love Fridays :)
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  Nancy Cadwallader July 9, 2013 13:35

  For me it's when I get really tired, can't concentrate and get frustrated. Sometimes you just have to step away and do something else; I find engaging in a physical activity works well. It also helps to remind myself how fortunate I am.

  Cheers,

  Nancy 
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  tejinder kumar chanana July 9, 2013 12:52

  It is indeed fazed moods(feel confused, shocked, or upset),heavy legs and total fatigue mental,physical and what not.Hard to understand the meaning of even the easiest word.This is how I can express.