Burnout is Everyone's Problem

We’ve all heard the phrase ‘burnout’ but do we really know what it means? 

The key underpinning of BURNOUT is that it’s not related the amount of work we’re doing but rather IS RELATED TO DOING WORK WITHOUT MEANING.

In 2019, BuzzFeed culture writer and former academic Anne Helen Petersen published an article titled ‘How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation’ — the article was an overnight sensation. Clearly the subject of burnout touched a nerve with the generation that coined the phrase “adulting is hard,” as well as with those who love to taunt them. 

Most recently she published a book, ‘Can’t Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation’ which goes beyond the original article, as Petersen examines how millennials have arrived at this point of burnout (think: unchecked capitalism and changing labor laws) and examines the phenomenon through a variety of lenses—including how burnout affects the way we work, parent, and socialize. 

Adam Grant interviewed Peterson on his podcast, ‘WorkLife with Adam Grant’ (May 12, 2020 episode). On this podcast episode, she shares her take on burnout and offers some advice for overcoming burnout. The key underpinning of BURNOUT is that it’s not related the amount of work we’re doing but rather IS RELATED TO DOING WORK WITHOUT MEANING. When we attribute meaning to the work we do — whether it’s personal or philanthropic — we are more apt to be motivated and excited about working than feeling like work is a burden dragging us down. This is turn leaves us feeling less depleted and more energized about grinding every day.

 Check out Petersen’s article and book for yourself: 

 ‘How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation’ published January 5, 2019

‘Can’t, Even: How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation’ published in September 2020