By Chuck LeBlanc
Quiet Quitting is a new term I am seeing a lot of recently. It does not mean quietly leaving out the back door of your job and never going back. Instead, it means to stop going above and beyond, stop working extra unpaid hours, stop endlessly grinding in a workplace that does not appreciate you. In most cases in our current workplace climate, it seems that working these extra unpaid hours, or pushing your limits and going above and beyond at work have become the norm and almost expected. Like some sort of unwritten rule in the fine print of your job description. But for the most part this can be a very dangerous practice that is a one-way ticket to burnout.
Burnout has become a huge problem in our society, and I think Quiet Quitting has arrived on the scene because of it. Burnout is something that shows up when we push our energy systems too far. It is caused by revving the engine of your nervous system consistently over time beyond what it can handle without adequate rest and recovery. Burnout looks like lethargy, over tiredness, depression, heightened irritability, frustration, anxiety and an increasingly short fuse. It can look like brain fog, listlessness, or lack of passion or interest in things you have enjoyed in the past.
But aside from a fancy and fun new buzzword what does Quiet Quitting actually mean. BOUNDARIES. Yes, you guessed it, it actually means boundaries. It means that you have every right to be able to have a fulfilling life both at home and at work. Your role is to make sure there is an honest separation between both by placing proper boundaries with yourself and your workplace about what’s expected of you. This can start by paying close attention to your job description as well as what hours you are paid for.
BOUNDARIES. Yes, you guessed it, it actually means boundaries.
The first step is to address what is expected of you, as mentioned above, and then also figuring out what you can and cannot handle. This includes an understanding of what you want to take on. This can be a difficult process to go through, especially if you are one of those people who are used to pleasing everyone around you.
People pleasers or individuals who have expressed a fawning type of survival instinct (trauma) can be more susceptible to overworking and burnout as they are in a cycle of seeking validation and safety because of what they can do for other people. This skill set can arise from past trauma as well as difficult social situations when we were younger that asked for this particular skill so that we could survive, such as when we are bullied as kids.
Remember that you are worth more than the long hours and accomplishments you achieve on the job. You deserve to have a fulfilling life both at home and at work. Most importantly, you deserve adequate rest, play, and spending time with your friends and family, and doing other activities/hobbies that are meaningful to you.
If you are noticing that you may be burning out, have difficulty setting boundaries, or if any part of this article sounds familiar, please give me a call and book a session today.
I can help.
Chuck
For more information or how to book your first appointment.
Call 613-701-7574 or email us at info@ksrc.ca
