One morning, I was consumed by a sensation of indolence, which made it arduous to rouse myself for the day ahead. The thought of heading to work, a routine before the current circumstances, filled me with worry, and I was incapable of mustering up the energy to tackle any tasks.
The level of gratification I once experienced when witnessing the outcome of my programming endeavors has dwindled. The same level of zeal is no longer present, and I now feel like I am merely executing the task without the same sense of fulfilment.
Exhaustion is sometimes mislabelled as depression, as the two conditions have some noticeable similarities, which can give an indication of the extreme fatigue that someone experiencing burnout may encounter.
I am delighted to announce that I have regained my sense of self and am now able to relish life once more. Although burnout is a severe ailment, it can be successfully handled with the appropriate assistance and guidance.
What exactly does being “burned out” entail?
It is essential to understand that exhaustion does not arise abruptly but rather builds up gradually over a period of time. In the beginning, it may be a challenge to discern the symptoms. Personally, I experienced accompanied feelings of apathy and tiredness. However, other individuals may exhibit indications such as melancholy or sleeplessness.
While the journey may differ from one individual to another, the ultimate outcome remains consistent; lack of eagerness, dejection, fatigue, pressured and unable to derive pleasure from life.
It is crucial to recognise that burnout is not necessarily linked to work. In reality, the workplace can serve as a sanctuary for many, offering activities that can help avert burnout. Therefore, it is imperative to establish a culture that facilitates this.
Fatigue can be linked to various factors, such as prolonged physical or mental strain, insufficient rest, a demanding work or home environment, or a traumatic event. This is a typical portrayal of a workspace for software developers.
Developing software can be a demanding undertaking. I relish sharing anecdotes of working collectively with my team to overcome challenges. Conversely, I recall with less enthusiasm the times where we had to work overtime and over weekends to meet pressing deadlines.
Even on the most productive days, extending working hours can be taxing. It was a fulfilling and necessary task, but I had to source additional energy from somewhere, even if it risked depleting my reserves for the future.
Identifying Symptoms of Burnout
Recognising burnout can be challenging. Initially, you may try to convince yourself that what you are encountering is typical, such as saying “I’m just exhausted,” “I’ll take a break after this,” and “My father had to do much more every day, this can’t be that bad.”
Although you may feel better after taking vitamins and engaging in physical activity, this does not equate to being cured. It is crucial to understand that even if you refuse to recognise it, others may begin to discern the symptoms of stress.
Your colleagues may start to recognise that you are not putting in the same level of effort, not showing the same passion, delivering projects tardily, and avoiding tasks in general. They may observe your disposition altering and take note that you are becoming more irritable and disheartened. You may overreact to criticism or not respond altogether and make unusual errors. These are indications that something is amiss.
As a manager, it is crucial to be aware of the difficulties and burdens encountered by our colleagues, and to take necessary measures to alleviate them. By leading by example to the team, we can guarantee that everyone is striving to perform at their optimal capacity.
A dear friend of mine, who is a software designer, possesses a strong ardour for his career and has been recognised to allocate extended hours to his work. Due to the rising number of errors he had made, his manager grew worried, prompting them to take appropriate measures.
One day the manager had some CD cases delivered to my friend’s desk. These contained various games, and my friend was encouraged to take frequent breaks and play them in the break room.
The manager demonstrated to my friend an alternative approach to the situation, which entailed taking a few minutes out of each day to indulge in a leisure activity. This was the adopted method by most of the team and eventually also adopted by my friend.
When an individual’s productivity diminishes and their demeanour shifts, it’s apparent that they are not in a healthy state of mind. Frequently, people put a lack of productivity down to laziness. However, it’s only a characteristic, and it’s vital to ascertain the underlying reason.
For managers, it’s crucial to establish an atmosphere of candid communication where their staff feel at ease approaching and confiding in them. Active listening is a fundamental aspect of this, and it’s crucial that every team member has the opportunity to express themselves.
On other occasions, it may be more suitable to seek out the advice of a specialist.
Consulting with Professionals
When contemplating requests for extended leave, fresh projects, reduced workload, and other perks, managers can take into account individual circumstances of their employees. The aim is to rekindle a developer’s drive by making a single alteration.
Nevertheless, severe burnout might prove to be extremely challenging to overcome and may require professional intervention in specific situations.
Numerous companies offer their employees the chance to undergo psychological therapy or partially subsidise the cost of consulting with a life coach. In certain situations, the company may also cover part of the treatment fee.
Although the expense may seem burdensome, it should be perceived as an investment. It’s more advantageous to assist an already skilled developer to overcome their present predicament and remain on the team rather than look for a new team member to recruit.
It will undoubtedly take some time, and during the intervening period, we can support and strive towards fostering a more comprehensive environment that promotes healthy habits.
Therefore, the Question Arises – “What More Can We Do?”
While being vigilant is vital, there are two additional considerations that could assist in preventing burnout:
Establishing a common comprehension of burnout among team members is crucial, which enables them to spot the symptoms in themselves and their peers more accurately. Raising awareness of the matter should be given the utmost priority.
Encouraging a work environment that promotes open communication of ideas and experiences by employees is crucial. Arranging events such as sports competitions, team dinners and on-the-job games could help minimise stress and strengthen team spirit. Creating a positive workplace setting that challenges the belief that work is the only focus of office life is vital.
Implementing policies that enable developers to unwind in whichever way they prefer, such as napping, spending time with their families, or playing games, is critical. Those who are satisfied with their lives are the ones who discover purpose in their endeavours, which can be a significant source of motivation while engaged in something substantial.
