LinkedIn member Utkarsh Goklani believes burnout isn’t just the outcome of working long hours. Instead, it happens when one's work doesn’t reflect their values, he says. True recovery from burnout lies in finding meaningful work, Goklani adds. What's your idea of meaningful work? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Burnout. It’s often painted as the inevitable result of long hours, sleepless nights, and constant hustle. But, burnout rarely comes from the number of hours worked. It runs deeper, into the cracks where our work and our sense of self no longer align. Even on days filled with relentless hours, I have felt energized when the work resonates with me. On the other hand, I have felt utterly drained even after a six-hour ‘chill’ workday when the work felt disconnected from my values or goals. It’s not the hours that break us. It’s the misalignment. When your work doesn’t reflect your values, or when you feel like you are constantly wearing a mask to meet expectations, burnout becomes more than physical exhaustion. It becomes a weariness that weighs on your soul. The antidote will never be a vacation or fewer hours. True recovery lies in finding alignment: 1. With your values 2. With work that feels meaningful 3. With a version of yourself you can recognize and respect Until this happens, we will keep on suffering from repeated bouts of burnout and point our guns at the wrong target. That being said, please don't listen to the advice to work for 70/90 hours per week on an average - that's just unholy.
This reflection on burnout is spot on. It’s easy to assume that long hours are the root cause, but, as you’ve pointed out, it’s really about how disconnected we feel from the work we’re doing. Burnout isn’t just about being physically tired—it’s a deeper exhaustion when your work isn’t aligned with your values or when you're constantly stretching yourself to meet external expectations. I really like how you emphasize the importance of alignment—working in a way that feels meaningful and true to yourself. It’s crucial to find that balance, otherwise, no amount of rest will fully heal the strain.
Historical Perspective # Leadership often defined as ability to lead with change and impact. In pre-independence era leadership was unfathomable and reflected as valued and respected through a several few irrespective of burnout or not. This sequentially builds next conscience of shared purpose..No burnout scenarios whatsoever. Recent disparaging post on 90 hr or 70 hr workweek leading organizational and shareholder value loss 📉 while on flipside > 32 cr of retirement emoluments of leave encashment lead by astounding success stories of CEOs. Aren't we falling behind with word rather work as burnout?
Interesting
Bro sounds like a smart guy :) LinkedIn News India
Well said
Valid point
Valid point
Student at Vivekananda Global University
17hThis post is very well put! It reflects the undeniable influence of our mindset going into things that affects our psychological states long after performing tasks that do not resonate with us or tasks with which we experience strong resistance. Burnout cannot be traced back to one day of doing something we don't relate to, but rather it is also the cumulative output of consistently ignoring your emotions to these tasks, with the mind eventually reaching the ultimatum "It's always going to be like this", stretching out the suffering indefinitely as though your feelings don't matter, and that things will never get better. However, it's crucial to realise that when we converse with ourselves, we tend to do so from different viewpoints, like a kid, a disciplinarian, and even as our own counsellor. It would help if we could proactively shift our viewpoints when having that internal conversation so as to not experience such strong resistance or to "soften the blow", thereby minimising the damage. Relatability is very important for us to feel more fulfilled in what we do.