Writing and Coaching Blog

Are You Burning Out?

7/18/2013

Maybe It's Compassion Fatigue

“I’m so tired. People keep telling me I should slow down. But there's just so much to do, I can’t seem to figure out a way to do it. I forgot another appointment this morning. It’s embarrassing. I just can’t get myself in gear. To tell you the truth, I really don’t care much about the things that I care about anymore.”

These are the words of a person on the burnout fast-track. Yet an admission like this doesn’t only come from the lips of someone who continually stays too long working at the office. Burnout (or compassion fatigue) happens to ministry leaders, conscientious college students, service-related workers, volunteers, caring spouses and parents, as well as executives. Perhaps it’s happening to you or someone you love.

Awareness is an important step out of this joy-robbing dilemma. The following questions can help you assess your situation:
Do you sometimes feel a little or a lot depressed?
Are you grouchier than you used to be?
Do you have a tough time relaxing?
Do you hurry even when your circumstances don’t warrant it?
Are you exhausted on a regular basis?
Do you hustle from project to project without taking time to celebrate or enjoy your success?
Are you angry/resentful and can’t figure out why?
Do you spend less time with friends and family—or just having fun?
Do you work harder and longer, but achieve less?
Is life becoming a chore?
If you answered yes to several of these questions in the left column, you may be playing with fire. Yet you can make new choices that will help you recover fun, balance, and energy.

Taking this simple questionnaire and admitting your need to yourself, a safe friend and God is a courageous first step. For greater clarity in your process of recovery from compassion fatigue, watch for next week's blog post “When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Burned Out.”

Have you ever experienced any of the above symptoms of "compassion fatigue"? For an opportunity to WIN an autographed copy of my book, The Relief of Imperfection, please leave a comment (even "I'd like the book!" will do.) on this blog and your name will be entered in the July 26, 2013 drawing.

29 Comments

Joan C. Webb

Writing, teaching, coaching to empower and set free.
Joan is an inspirational speaker, Bible teacher, Life Coach, and author of 13 books including It's a Wonderful (Imperfect) Life, The Relief of Imperfection, The Intentional Woman. She does consulting, as well as Life Coaching, for writers, speakers, ministry leaders and entrepreneurs.

Connect with Joan.

Donna Goodrich link

7/20/2013 02:53:14 am

Mine seems to be the one on working harder and accomplishing less, but I'm doing better. My help is making a to-do list. (I love crossing things off!)

Joan C. Webb link

7/23/2013 10:05:21 am

Hi Donna! Thanks for your comments. I do understand. I'm one who likes crossing off items on a to-do list. Congrats on making progress with your not just "working harder and accomplishing less."

7/23/2013 10:06:14 am

By the way, you're entered in the book drawing. :-)

Lorraine Testa

7/20/2013 03:19:14 am

Thank you Joan for pointing out the characteristics of a person in burnout. In this world where we are expected to do it all with a song in our heart and a smile on our face it brings huge relief to know that God is there, waiting patiently for us to let go and give it all to Him. His yoke is easy and His burden light. Yet I find myself so caught up in the chaos that accompanies burnout that I often forget that the Lord will take care of me, my burnout and my compassion fatigue. All I have to do is surrender, let Him be God and stop trying to do it all. Thank you for your ministry Joan. It touches the deepest parts of my heart, mind and soul. Your words bring relief to this burntout woman who wants to please her Master. Have a blessed day.

Joan C. Webb - Blog link

7/23/2013 10:08:25 am

Hi Lorraine, I appreciate your authenticity. Burnout is not fun at all. And it does take time to recover. You're right, though, God loves you before, during and after the recovery process!
I put your name in the hat for the book drawing.

7/23/2013 10:08:46 am

7/23/2013 10:10:50 am

Hmmmm. It appears the blog comments are hiccuping!!

7/23/2013 10:09:22 am

Carol

7/20/2013 05:37:23 am

It really does get better once you retire. But I have to make a conscious effort to keep it that way! Things still pile up occasionally, but not at the rate they used to when I was working.

7/23/2013 10:13:34 am

Hi Carol! Thanks for throwing your name in the hat for the FREE book drawing. Glad you find some "relief" after retiring. I find that hope-filled. AND it appears you've written some wise words: "I have to make a conscious effort to keep it that way." Sounds like you're an "intentional woman."

Linda

7/20/2013 06:05:24 am

Ouch! Ohhhhh my! Oooooo! I sooo needed to read this today!!

7/23/2013 10:15:41 am

Oh, Linda. It sounds like you're really experiencing some of these burnout or "compassion fatigue" signs. I trust the awareness will help you to find a path to recover and relief. You're name in entered to win the book, The Relief of Imperfection.

Amy

7/20/2013 09:12:29 am

I have a tough time relaxing. I'm always thinking of what I could be doing instead to be "productive"

7/23/2013 10:22:04 am

Amy, this is tough. Sometimes our minds keep racing... I wonder when was a time that you really felt relaxed?

Jean

7/20/2013 11:02:05 am

Needed this right this minute God is always good to give us just what we need and most times it comes from a friend. Thanks

7/23/2013 10:23:23 am

Hi Jean! I'm glad this came at a good time. You're right. God is good.

Judy Fryman

7/20/2013 11:09:58 am

Wow, I didn't know there was such a thing as compassion fatigue. Makes perfect sense now. Sometimes I just think, I just can't do this today. Thanks for this input!

7/23/2013 10:24:30 am

You're welcome, Judy. I'm grateful this awareness was helpful.

Kathy Collard Miller link

7/21/2013 09:38:10 pm

Love your new website, blog, etc. Great format and design. Congratulations!

7/23/2013 10:25:24 am

Thank you, Kathy! I do appreciate your affirmation! :-)

Charla Slattery

7/22/2013 06:20:23 am

Book looks like something I really need to read. Looking forward to reading it soon.

7/23/2013 10:26:40 am

Hi Charla, I put your name in the hat for the book drawing for a copy of The Relief of Imperfection. Maybe you'll win! :-)

7/23/2013 10:28:18 am

Thank you all for your comments. I put all your names in the hat. We'll have our drawing on Friday, July 26, for a copy of The Relief of Imperfection. Anybody could win! I wish you all could!

Diane Markins link

7/24/2013 05:42:25 am

Joan, I seem to go in cycles of "compassion fatigue." I love the work and results for a while then can depleted and exhausted from the overload and disappointed from lack of expected results.

My goal is to keep the highs lower and the lows higher so I'm on an even keel. Any time we invest ourselves too much in a single pursuit without taking time to rest we are destined for fatigue and a likely crash.

You always remind me to step away and avoid the fall, Joan. :)

Lorraine

7/25/2013 09:53:55 am

Diane, thank you very, very much for your comments. I am currently in the middle of experiencing what you have described. Seeking to find that even keel is an intentional goal that is doable and reasonable!

7/26/2013 04:15:33 am

Thanks for your wise comments, Diane. I identify with your cycle of "compassion fatigue". Sometime maybe we could talk more about that.

Beth Lienhart

7/26/2013 01:28:59 am

I work with students on the concept of focusing on the "Big Rocks" and helping them discover what the Big Rocks are in their life. What I've learned from my own experience and theirs' is that I can get burned out when I focus on too many of my Big Rocks - those things and people that are most important to me. Then I just stop and rest.

7/26/2013 04:17:33 am

Ah, that is good, Beth! Thanks for your clarity on this. Stopping and resting is good! And understanding that we can't focus and work on all the Big Rocks at once. Helps me to remind myself that only God can do that!

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Maybe It's Compassion Fatigue

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