Balancing Work Ethic and Burnout in Marketing

It seems that new “things” are emerging on the Internet. I don't know whether to call it work shaming or effort shaming, but people are saying they want to work more.

Don't get me wrong. Burnout is real. I don't want to see anyone reach that stage.

But there's a big difference between working because you have to and working because you enjoy your job.

passion and duty

We spoke to a technical SEO expert (we'll call him Joe) who asked to remain anonymous. She works for her quite famous SEO agency in the UK.

• “I often work nights and weekends, but I don't think that's a problem. I love my job and prefer to do certain types of tasks when I'm quiet. ” she said.

But lately, Joe feels like he has to hide the fact that he's working outside of traditional business hours.

• “I just don't mention it anymore. When I say something, the reaction from people is concern. It's strange to me, but even if you learn a language or go to the gym, no one will I won't say anything.”

I asked her about burnout and whether she feels pressured to work long hours.

• “I think the word burnout has become very popular and used now. Some people feel forced to work long hours or are using their job in a negative way. I understand, but why should we shame people who want to work? Seems crazy to me.”

If you turn to social media platforms, you'll find posts and videos from people talking about work-life balance, avoiding burnout, and staying healthy. Although these messages are well-intentioned, they seem to paint all extra work outside of normal hours as harmful and ignore the joy it brings to some people.

Like many professionals, Joe finds personal satisfaction in his work. Her story highlights the growing disconnect between society's expectations and her personal work ethic.

• “For me, work is more than just a means to an end,” Joe explained. “It's a passion. I don't work odd hours just because I have to. I do it because that's when I feel most productive and fulfilled.”

This new trend of 'effort shaming' raises important questions about our attitudes towards work and leisure. Advocating healthy work limits is important, but there's a fine line between preventing burnout and underestimating your true passion for your profession.

In an era where personal and professional lives are increasingly fused, the concept of work as a purely contractual obligation is becoming obsolete for some people.

Critics of this new “shaming” trend argue that it can discourage people from pursuing excellence. It is believed that people who are deeply engaged in their work often experience higher levels of satisfaction and psychological well-being.

To navigate these complex social dynamics, it is essential to foster a culture that respects diverse working styles and recognizes that work is more than just a job to some people.

The challenge is to balance advocating for mental health with respecting individual work preferences and motivations. Ultimately, understanding and flexibility may be the key to effectively dealing with burnout and effort-shaming.

Digging deeper: The secret to work-life balance in SEO: Setting boundaries

Getting the balance right: Signs of burnout

Finding this balance requires care. It is not always clear whether love for work leans towards something more harmful. We can all be aware of our colleagues around us and look out for warning signs.

Signs to look out for include a significant drop in energy levels and enthusiasm compared to your normal self. They develop a more pessimistic view of their work and life in general, and often become irritable and overly critical.

Isolation is also a red flag. People experiencing burnout may begin to withdraw from social interactions, which may take the form of missing team meetings or social gatherings they once enjoyed.

Their work performance may also suffer. Tasks that you were able to handle efficiently before may now seem overwhelming. Or you may notice more errors or missed deadlines. It's not just about being busy. It's a deeper change in how you deal with the pressures of daily work.

Company role: Supporting employee health

Relationship Audits' Simon Rhind-Tutt says companies need to do a better job of identifying the signs of burnout and supporting their employees, but many are currently not doing enough. thinking about.

• “We need to improve our ability to spot stress and identify when workloads are getting too high, especially as we move into hybrid roles. , a role like an operations manager is often put in place, where that person has a deeper understanding of how much effort it will take to achieve the deliverables.”

This helps prevent workloads from growing too large before problems occur.

Burnout is a serious problem, but for many managers, understanding the difference between someone who thrives on long hours and someone who feels obligated to maintain a certain level to get through often unachievable tasks. can be very difficult. List every day.

I asked Lind Tutt what approaches companies can take to better demonstrate what is and isn't expected.

• “It's up to business leaders to make it clear that their teams are not obligated to work outside of their contracted hours. It also helps to have each team have trusted eyes and ears that can identify teams that are struggling. Finally, open reporting systems should be encouraged so that people can be honest about the amount of work they can do to maintain quality.”

Recognize burnout syndrome within yourself

Identifying your own burnout requires self-awareness, but it can be clouded by the very stress you're trying to deal with. It often begins subtly, creeps up as a series of bad days, and gradually turns into ongoing fatigue and disillusionment.

At first, you may notice that your energy levels are significantly reduced. This isn't just the tiredness you feel at the end of a normal day or after a particularly difficult client meeting. It's a serious fatigue that doesn't seem to go away even with rest. You wake up just as tired as when you went to bed, and your reserves feel like they're constantly dropping.

Things may start to change emotionally as well. You may find yourself becoming more cynical and less hopeful about your job.

A job or project that once caused interest or pride may now cause a feeling of fear or a negative attitude. You may find yourself feeling unusually irritable, especially about aspects of your job that you used to be able to manage or enjoy.

This is very different from the scenario Joe described where you're eager to work and want to pull out your laptop.

Another indicator that things are going too far is a sense of separation that wasn't there before. This may mean being isolated from colleagues and fearing work-related interactions. You feel like you're watching yourself from a distance, unable to fully commit to your role.

Performance will definitely take a hit as well. You may notice a decrease in your productivity and quality of work. It becomes difficult to concentrate and procrastination can begin, not out of laziness but as a form of avoidance.

All of these affect your overall outlook. You may find yourself questioning the value of your work, or feeling stuck in a loop and wondering what really matters. This is a strong signal that your commitment to your work isn't just fading, it's fading to the point of failure.

Recognizing these signs is important not only for your professional life, but also for your overall health. Identifying burnout early can help you reduce its impact by adjusting your workload, seeking support, and finding new strategies to restore meaning to your work and life.

If you are in this position, talk to your line manager and if you don't get the support you need, take it to a higher level. It's too important a problem to keep hidden. It will only get worse if left unaddressed.

Dig deeper: How to avoid search marketing burnout

Building a healthier work environment

It's ironic that this tendency to “work shame” simply makes people who love their jobs more stressed and overwhelmed. This connotation is consistent with the hustle culture, which involves no sleep, high levels of productivity, and little time for anything else.

However, just because you work long hours doesn't mean you can't enjoy life.

• “I spend a lot of time with the people I love, both at work and outside of work. Just because I work a lot doesn't mean I don't have time for other things. Instead of spending hours in front of the TV all night, I want to pick up my laptop and work on something that feels meaningful to me. “I'm not saying watching TV is wrong; it's not how I choose to spend my time,'' says Joe.

Perhaps that is the characteristic. It means working long hours if you want to, and finding great satisfaction in doing so.

On the other hand, it's a completely different scenario if you feel pressured to work long hours or know you have too much work to do or you won't get the job done.

So instead of shaming people who are struggling at work or who want to do more, why not acknowledge and support them? We are all different people with different ambitions and goals in life.

We can all do more to appreciate and accept everyone.

Some may argue that it is the responsibility of companies to ensure that their employees feel as valued as possible and do not develop an unhealthy relationship with their work.

But each of us has a responsibility to do the same. By respecting and caring for our colleagues, we can all build a healthier culture at work and at home.

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