The Invisible Burnout of High Performers: Detect It Before It Derails You

Jul 15

High performers are the backbone of any team, company, or organization, and even community for that matter. They are the ones who consistently meet and exceed expectations, deliver outstanding results, and thrive no matter the circumstances. Under all that ambition and success, a potential threat lurks – burnout. Unlike the stereotypical burnout in the form of visible exhaustion and lack of engagement, high performers often experience an invisible, hard-to-detect burnout, which is far more serious. This article raises awareness of this issue and explores invisible burnout in high performers and how to detect it. Scroll down to see how to spot signs of invisible burnout before it affects your quality of life on both personal and professional levels.

Table of Contents

What does “invisible burnout” mean?
Signs of invisible burnout
Why not ignore burnout?
Conclusion

What does “invisible burnout” mean?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress at work. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is not a medical condition, but a syndrome, and it is an occupational phenomenon. The term burnout only refers to the occupational context and shouldn’t be used to describe experiences in other aspects of life.

The main characteristics of burnout are exhaustion, cynicism, and detachment from work, as well as reduced professional efficacy. For high performers, however, burnout doesn’t always look like disengagement and low productivity. It is often masked by the ability to keep performing, at least on the surface.

Invisible burnout is particularly tricky because it sneaks under the radar. High performers are skilled at meeting deadlines or maintaining a sense of control even when their internal resources are low. They are the last to admit something is wrong or that they’re struggling. Sometimes it’s because they don’t recognize the signs of burnout. In other cases, they are reluctant to admit the presence of an issue out of fear others will perceive them as weak. In these cases, burnout is difficult to notice and is more likely to spiral into serious consequences such as career derailment, physical illnesses, and mental health crises.

Signs of invisible burnout

Recognizing signs of invisible burnout is essential for preventing long-term damage. The key signs and symptoms to look for are described below.

Chronic mental fatigue

Invisible burnout in high performers may manifest itself as mental fogginess and difficulty focusing, even when producing high-quality work. As a result, it could be more difficult to make decisions, solve problems, or generate creative ideas, all of which are tasks that once came easily. Sometimes, these problems are dismissed as “just having a bad day,” but they could signal a much deeper depletion of mental focus.

Mental exhaustion happens when the brain receives too much stimulation or has to maintain an intense level of activity without rest. High performers often push themselves to keep excelling, and excellence is expected by others too. As a result, they may experience a sign of burnout without even realizing it.

No joy in achievements

High performers love that feeling of joy and accomplishment every time they score a win, which is on a regular basis. That joy motivates them to keep going and achieve one success after another. Invisible burnout may dampen that feeling. Accomplishments no longer feel satisfying. High performers may hit a major milestone, such as earning a promotion or closing a deal, but still feel empty or indifferent. Lack of joy in victories is a sign that passion is weakening, which happens due to burnout.

Decreased morale

Not only does invisible burnout rob you of joy in achievements, but it also reduces morale. When a brain is overwhelmed, it enters survival mode and makes it difficult to enjoy anything. Tasks and projects you used to love may feel like a burden now. You’re not looking forward to completing them, but as a high achiever, you do because it becomes a habit to get something done thoroughly and successfully.

Impatience or irritability

One of the many characteristics of high performers is that they are usually calm under pressure. Calmness sets them apart from others and allows them to succeed even in the most challenging endeavors. Burnout can diminish a high performer’s emotional resilience. As a result, they may snap at colleagues, become unusually critical of themselves or others, and feel frustrated even with minor setbacks. These changes in demeanor are often subtle, but they can be noticeable to those close to the affected high achievers.

Too much focus on productivity

Burnout hits high performers differently than others. Although it may seem odd, it could make high performers double down on work. Excessive focus on productivity leads to an obsession with to-do lists, micromanaging tasks, or feeling guilty when taking breaks. That happens because working harder is a high achiever’s attempt to restore a sense of control. Excessive focus on productivity masks the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Questioning their value

Burnout can make high performers question their purpose within a certain company or doubt the quality of their work. They may wonder what the point of all their work and effort is or whether that’s really what they want. Sometimes these existential doubts aren’t vocalized; high performers don’t necessarily discuss these doubts with other people. However, they can negatively affect their motivation and sense of identity.

Why not ignore burnout?

People tend to ignore burnout, thinking the symptoms will go away on their own. Burnout should never be ignored, especially among high achievers. Doing so can lead to consequences such as diminished performance, strained relationships with colleagues, and career abandonment in the most extreme cases. It can also lead to anxiety, depression, and chronic health issues.

Conclusion

Burnout isn’t uncommon in the workplace; even high performers aren’t immune to it. The problem is that sometimes signs of burnout aren’t that easily noticeable, but they’re there, potentially wreaking havoc on a person’s mental and physical health, and quality of life. Recognizing signs of burnout is the first step in the right direction. Doing so allows high performers to take a break, reflect on their interactions with others, and modify their approach to work.