Feeling not good enough is something we have all experienced at some point in our lives. It’s the nagging thought that you aren’t quite measuring up, whether it be personally, professionally, or academically. For some of us, this feeling can be fleeting, while for others it lingers and begins to manifest itself in different ways—including workplace burnout. Let's explore how feeling not good enough can lead to burnout.
What is Burnout?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress or frustration in an individual’s work environment. This could include excessive workloads, unrealistic deadlines, unclear job responsibilities, lack of support from colleagues and supervisors, a lack of recognition for achievements or contributions—and yes—the feeling of not being good enough.
Based on the clients I’ve seen Burnout is so much more than how WHO defines it. It can often start at home due to pressures around finances, relationships, children, caring for elderly or those that are unwell. Then the employee goes to work with lower levels of resilience and piles on a whole lot more pressure and before you know it they’re burnt out.
Why Does Feeling Not Good Enough Lead to Burnout?
The underlying reason why feeling not good enough leads to burnout is because this sense of inadequacy can cause individuals to become overwhelmed and discouraged when faced with challenging tasks. The fear of failure often leads people to try and do more than their share of work in order to prove themselves worthy. This puts them on an unsustainable track that eventually leads to exhaustion and ineffective results due to poor-quality output. Managers need to be able to recognise if team members are exhibiting any signs of burnout so they can take proactive steps towards addressing the issue before it gets out of control.
Burnout has become a common problem in today’s workplaces as employees are pushed harder than ever before with little time for rest or relaxation. People who struggle with feeling not good enough tend to take on too much responsibility (particularly women) in an effort to prove their worthiness which can lead them down the path towards burnout faster than expected. Managers must be aware of this issue and take proactive steps towards preventing it from occurring within their teams by implementing healthier work practices such as better communication between employees and managers as well as providing more leeway for mistakes without harsh repercussions. If burnout does occur, then managers need to be prepared to provide support for those affected so that they can get back on track sooner than later. By doing so, companies will benefit from having more engaged employees who are better equipped to handle any challenges thrown their way.
If you feel like you need extra support in making these changes, don't hesitate to reach out. Book in a time to chat with Hana or follow her on: Facebook Instagram or LinkedIn
