Over half (52%) of respondents in a survey conducted by jobs board Indeed reported that they were experiencing burnout in 2021, up from the 43% who said the same in their pre-COVID survey. When it comes to feeling uninspired, demotivated, and somewhat trapped by a career, it seems there is something of a quiet epidemic going on.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the ways in which you can rediscover passion in your career, including what it means to be burnt out, why finding passion is important for your working wellbeing, and some of the practical steps you can take to help reignite a love for work.
Recognising the signs of burnout
The World Health Organization recognises burnout as an ‘occupational phenomenon’, a state of ‘physical and emotional exhaustion’ typically caused by a sustained stressful or draining period of employment.
Common symptoms of burnout include:
- Self doubt
- Procrastination
- Lack of motivation
- Feeling overwhelmed, helpless, or trapped
- Feeling tired and/or drained a lot of the time
- A negative outlook
- A feeling of detachment or loneliness
The dangers of burnout extend to your long term physical and mental health; these symptoms can quickly lead to depression and anxiety, for example.
If you feel that some of the above may apply to you, it could be time to reflect on your experiences, challenge what you may feel has become ‘normal’, and understand if you’re experiencing burnout caused by your current career.
Exploring new opportunities
Being passionate about your career can quite literally transform your life; you’ll experience greater satisfaction, increased performance (which could have financial benefits), and, crucially, positively impact your mental health, which ties into your general well being.
If you find yourself dissatisfied with your career – and we’re talking about general disillusionment here, not just an issue with the individual company you work for – then it might be time to try something new.
To successfully reignite your passion, you may need to try new roles or industries, or seek out mentors and networking opportunities to discover new career paths. This may mean you need to seriously step out of your comfort zone and do something completely different, such as finding local summer camp jobs which could offer a refreshing break from traditional roles, unexpectedly play into your transferable skills, such as leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving, and give you a new perspective.
There’s a joy to working with children and being in nature, which could provide you with a fresh perspective on life and career. You’ll have fun, too!
Practical steps to reignite passion in your career
Setting realistic yet inspiring career goals is the key to reigniting your passion in a practical way. This means:
- Exploring the possibilities
- Comparing your options
- Understanding what learning or skills you’d need to acquire
- Breaking down the steps you’d need to take to reach your goal – which could simply be working within an industry you’re passionate about.
Don’t forget that volunteering and hobbies can help you rediscover joy and creativity too, and can help guide your next steps.
To conclude
Recognising that you’re experiencing burnout is the first step to putting yourself back on a path to igniting passion for your career once again; there are lots of resources online if you feel like you’re in the clutches of burnout, particularly on websites such as Mental Health UK. Exploring your possibilities is the next practical step towards finding passion in your career again – just remember, you may need to step out into the unknown a little; adventure awaits!