The Motivation that Causes Burnout
Burnout often manifests as a paradoxical lack of motivation — a mix of desire and a simultaneous sense of hitting a wall between that desire and the motivation required for action.
Not all motivation is equal.
I regularly make the difference between superficial and deep motivation.
The difference is not straightforward to all but crucial. Superficial motivation makes one more susceptible to burnout, while deep motivation fosters greater resilience.
It’s like a plant that needs deep roots yet is forced to grow in thin soil. Especially when growing taller, problems may arise — a search for what appears to be there but isn’t.
The thin soil is shallow motivation.
Obviously, make-believe isn’t helpful. Only the real thing suffices.
Therefore, what is needed is double-sided:
- One needs to attend to the soil.
- Equally needed is the plant’s ability to use this soil — being related to how the plant has grown until now and to how it is continually supported.
It’s not one or the other. It’s all these together. All aspects are essential. Achieving this concerning burnout is no simple task; it requires specific insights and dedicated efforts.
With these in place, things can go smoothly.
The role of meaning
An often overlooked but crucial element is the role of meaning. Deep motivation thrives when it is connected to a sense of purpose that goes beyond the surface level of tasks or goals. When we lose sight of the ‘why’ behind our actions, even the most determined efforts can feel hollow, leading to burnout.
Rediscovering a sense of personal meaning enables resilience to flourish, even when the external soil feels thin. Reconnecting with an inner sense of purpose bridges the gap between desire and action, cultivating a sustainable form of motivation.
Nature calls
In light of the above, the move beyond burnout is a natural one.
Several people around me have experienced burnout. I know the last sentence may sound surprising to some. The reason is that, often, nature is not treated well. As a result, it offers resistance rather than support when we need help the most. Nature, in this sense, also refers to our own human nature — the inner balance that gets disrupted when we ignore deep motivations in favor of surface-level achievements.
In a battle with nature, the winner takes it all ― and it’s not you.
Shallow motivation leads to a long battle.
Burnout is more than just a lack of something. It’s an invisible trap that can ensnare someone for an extended period. Ironically, what often seems like a solution can deepen the trap, making escape even more difficult.
Unfortunately, in a burnout society, this happens many times.
Meanwhile, the burnout epidemic continues to worsen.
I don’t see an end in sight. Things will deteriorate further unless we collectively realize that motivation, when combined with superficiality, leads to escalating burnout.
We’re still deep in these woods.
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