The Slow Burn and The Awakening

I personally really hate the term burnout, as it applies to human servies workers. I guess I have been in some sort of denial as I have fought hard against it, or thought it doesn't really exist. A mere sytems myth to be used to weed out staff that weren't delivering the goods.

Well, after all these years I am not burnt out at all and in fact at the turn of thirty years in social services I am energized, happy, excited and still learning every day as I face new challenges, and more importantly those people who we have so graciously labeled clients, also face.

There are people in social service work that are indeed burnt to a crisp, and there may be no return from the helping neatherlands. What is burn out and what are the dangers as some face the onset, and find themselves in the midst of a deep fall into not caring? The symtpoms are a chronic state of tired, disinterest in indivudals served,distain for those served, distain for the service delivery system, apathy, depression, anxiety and an more, enough to fill the upcoming DSM V.

The manifestation of the above mentioned symptoms may result in families of those we serve being pushed away as a result of seeing our low energy and apathy. They most likely say to themselves, " this is not what I want for my son or daughter, brother or sister." Familes want people thay can trust to care for their relatives, support them, show a strong interest in their lives and be there and present.

So how do we turn this around? By bringing joy to our work. To relish in the achievements and gains we see those we serve make, small, large or incremental, they are all gratifying for us who serve, and for those we serve. Take creative risks and don't be captured as a prisoner of rigid and limited thinking. More is possible than not. Also, we need to remember, if we allow ourselves to learn that every day is an education, and our teachers are those we serve who teach us to be humble,how to survive when things are really difficult, and how to take joy in the small, but essential.

So stop the slow burn and awaken to all that is possible, in the wonder of the work we do.

JBG