Episode 45: Burnout

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Ron opens the episode by introducing his cohosts Deb and Melissa, and asking Deb to define this episode’s topic – burnout.

• Deb gives the definition, followed by Ron asking when how they notice when they are getting burned out.
• Deb describes how she notices a lack of passion, as well as negativity seeping in.
• Melissa says she notices how she sleeps, and how things she enjoys doing seem like an effort rather than something enjoyable.
• Ron says that he feels how things are just the same and he’s living in Groundhog Day.

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Ron follows this up by asking the group what the cost of burnout is to them.

• Melissa says that she notices her mental health greatly suffers, which for a long time she thought was just a natural part of being an adult.
• Deb describes ‘negative work’ that happens as a result of burnout, and adds that her family also suffers when she is experiencing burnout.
• Ron says that for him the cost is creativity, which includes creating his day-to-day life versus just living the same rut he’s been stuck in.
• He then describes a period of time when he was experiencing burnout because of the amount of work he was doing.

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Ron asks the group what they do to counteract burnout knowing that they understand the cost of it.

• Melissa starts by saying she radically changed her life by changing jobs, and goes into detail about that experience.
• Deb says her tactic is to set proper boundaries for herself and working, and ensuring to take breaks and remember to focus on selfcare. 
• She continues by differentiating between short term versus long term burnout and what the difference is for her.
• She also talks about how the stress associated with burnout can physically change your brain, and impact your decision making and impulse control.
• Ron mentions how not that long ago in the history of humankind, we used to be able to work 20 hours a week and provide for everything we need.

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Ron recalls a paper that he read that drew his attention to taking care of your body, and also the importance of playing.

• He describes what playing entails for him and what that does for your brain.
• He then details his experience living in Germany and how everything was built around ensuring the employee was happy and well taken care of.
• Ron continues talking about the mandatory vacation time of employees in Europe, and the difference between their culture versus the US work culture.
• Melissa jumps in and discusses one of her previous job prospects and how their vacation time was creating a template for burning out their employees.
• Ron notes how because those employees are burned out, you never get to see that employee’s full potential.
• The group continues discussing the importance of properly taking time away to recover and prevent yourself from burning out.

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Join us to hear how understanding the idea of “self-talk” — and what you can do about it — could change your relationships and life for the better.

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Visit www.macklinconnection.com

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