Burnout: More Than Just a Workplace Issue
Burnout in the workplace and beyond
“I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
Maya Angelou
The World Health Organisation (WHO) has formally recognised burnout as a workplace phenomenon. This is an important step in understanding the pressures of modern work environments, but it’s not the full picture.
Burnout isn't limited to work. It’s a symptom of a deeper issue: misalignment in various aspects of our lives.Through my own experience and working with clients I have observed a common theme that leads to burnout.
My perspective is that burnout often arises when we’re living or working in ways that contradict our core values and needs, this creates chronic stress in our system, which reduces our capacity and energy and can lead to a state of overwhelm. Prolonged overwhelm tends to lead to burnout.
While the workplace is a major arena where this misalignment plays out, it’s also present in our family dynamics and personal lives. Understanding the root cause—misalignment across the five intelligences—can help address burnout more effectively.
Misalignment at Work
The workplace is one of the most common places where misalignment manifests. Here’s why through the lens of the Five Intelligences:
Physical Misalignment (PQ): Many roles require long hours of sitting, staring at screens, and following rigid schedules. This lifestyle isn’t conducive to human health and vitality, leading to physical stagnation and fatigue. I experienced this firsthand during my corporate years, where days spent glued to a desk left me feeling drained, physically and mentally. I ignored the warning signs until chronic back pain forced me to rethink my relationship with work.
Emotional Misalignment (EQ): Workplace cultures often demand emotional self-censorship. We’re expected to suppress feelings, maintain a neutral façade, and avoid expressing vulnerability. I recall being told to "keep it professional" during a particularly challenging project. The pressure to compartmentalise my emotions created a disconnect that took years to heal.
Cognitive Misalignment (IQ): A relentless focus on results, metrics, and logical problem-solving often sidelines other types of intelligence. This singular focus can drain mental energy and stifle creativity. I’ve worked with clients who excelled in problem-solving yet felt uninspired and stuck because their cognitive efforts weren’t balanced by creativity or intuition.
Intuitive Misalignment (iQ): Intuition and instinct are rarely valued or even acknowledged in most workplaces. Decisions are often based solely on data, ignoring the deeper, unquantifiable insights that intuition provides. I remember a time when my gut told me a project was doomed to fail, but I stayed silent because “data” didn’t back up my concerns. The project collapsed, and it was a stark reminder to trust my instincts.
Spiritual Misalignment (SQ): Few workplaces create space for connection to purpose, meaning, or a sense of greater contribution. Creativity, innovation, and authentic expression—all rooted in spiritual intelligence—are frequently viewed as disruptive rather than valuable. In one role, I felt deeply disconnected from the organisation’s values, which clashed with my own. The lack of alignment eroded my sense of purpose until I finally walked away.
The compensation we receive for work often seduces us into staying in these misaligned environments. While the paycheck provides financial security, it doesn’t address the deeper costs to our health, happiness, and sense of self.
Beyond Work: Family, Students, and Solopreneurs
Burnout isn’t confined to traditional workplaces. Students and solopreneurs are increasingly experiencing burnout, driven by their unique pressures. Students face relentless academic demands, societal expectations, and a lack of guidance on managing stress effectively. Many feel stuck in an endless cycle of performance and assessment, with little time to connect with their deeper interests or purpose.
Similarly, solopreneurs carry the weight of running a business alone, often juggling multiple roles without boundaries between work and personal life. This constant pressure to deliver, innovate, and sustain financial stability can lead to isolation, fatigue, and misalignment with their original goals..
Beyond Work: Family and Social Misalignment
Misalignment isn’t confined to the workplace. Family and social dynamics can also contribute:
Expectations and Roles: Family responsibilities often demand that we compromise our needs and values to meet societal or familial expectations. As a parent, I’ve felt the tension between being present for my wife and children and pursuing my own goals. Navigating these roles can feel like an impossible balancing act.
Unspoken Pressures: Emotional labour within families can mirror workplace dynamics, requiring us to suppress feelings or intuition to maintain harmony. I’ve worked with clients who found themselves exhausted by the invisible demands placed on them at home.
Disconnection from Purpose: In personal relationships, a lack of alignment with shared values or goals can create a sense of emptiness and frustration, similar to what we experience in a misaligned job.
A Path Back to Alignment
One thing I love about the quote by Maya Angelou featured in the introduction of this newsletter is that it highlights our ability to take charge of our reactions to difficult situations, even when faced with adversity. It emphasises that the responsibility lies with us to remain true to ourselves, rather than relying on others such as our manager, partner, or parent.
While I'm not suggesting it's a simple task without any immediate solutions, with courage, we can find a way back to our true selves and utilise the available resources for guidance.
Dealing with burnout involves acknowledging and rectifying misalignment in all five intelligences:
Physical Intelligence (PQ): Prioritise movement, rest, and nourishment. Small changes like standing desks, regular breaks, or incorporating exercise into your day can make a significant difference. For me, regular yoga and walking became non-negotiables in restoring my energy.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Create spaces for honest emotional expression. Journaling, therapy, or trusted conversations can help reconnect you to your feelings. When I began journaling daily, I found clarity in emotions I had long suppressed.
Cognitive Intelligence (IQ): Balance your focus on problem-solving with moments of learning and curiosity that spark joy and energy. Teaching myself new skills outside work, like photography, helped reignite my creativity.
Intuitive Intelligence (iQ): Reconnect with your gut feelings. Practice mindfulness or meditation to create space for intuition to surface. I’ve learned that intuition often speaks quietly—you have to slow down to hear it.
Spiritual Intelligence (SQ): Reflect on your deeper purpose and values. Ask yourself why you do what you do and whether it aligns with the person you want to be. Reconnecting with my "why" led to creating Creative Muscle and helping others realign their lives.
A Call to Action
Burnout is not just about overwork. It’s about living out of sync with who you truly are. It's an invitation for recognising where misalignment exists and taking steps to address it can help restore your energy, creativity, and resilience.
The workplace may be a significant contributor, but the solution lies in looking at the bigger picture. By addressing misalignment across all areas of life, you can prevent burnout and create a more fulfilling and balanced existence.
My journey taught me that resilience isn’t a thing—it’s a practice. One that requires constant tuning of all five intelligences, both at work and at home.
The Inner Guru Retreat.
Dates for 2025 coming soon.
I'm happy to announce that I have found a new venue for the Inner Guru retreat in October 2025 dates and pricing coming soon.
What's included
Pre-retreat sessions and information for your preparation.
Yoga - Mental and Physical re-balancing - re-connecting our body and mind as a complete system
Meditation - generating deep relaxation and inner Peace - a natural way for stress management
Group coaching session workshops and workbook.
Pre-detox and post-detox meal for preparing for and breaking the fast.
Fasting - resting your internal organs allowing them to repair and be rejuvenated
Cleansing Detox - cleansing your body of waste, parasites and toxins supporting the re-generation of new Healthy cells.
3 x 30 mins Abdominal massages to support the detox process from qualifed and experienced professionals
3 x 60 mins traditional Thai or oil massages for relaxation and de-stressing from qualified and experienced professionals.
3 X infrared sauna or herbal steam to support detox and general wellbeing.
Prices TBC
Price includes Accommodation, Transfers in Thailand, 3.5 Cleansing Detox, Detox, drinks, supplements, Pre detox and Post detox meals, 30 min abdominal massage, 60 minute thai or oil massage, Infra Sauna and steam Exercises (Yoga, meditation, etc), coaching in workshops.
Flights not included in price.
Additional Extras (not included in the price)
Massages, meals, therapeutic and beauty treatments; one-to-one coaching sessions,
If you'd like to learn more, let me know by sending a message with "Inner guru" as the subject for advanced notice of dates, costs and if you have any questions.
Click here for full details
Best Selling Book
I am officially a best selling author!
A huge thank you to everyone that supported me with buying the book on the day of the release which helped it get the "best seller."
For my chapter in this book I talk about my personal story from having an Existential crisis in the corporate world to going on my first retreat in 1999. And how this leads to "innerstanding" our 5 Intelligences and how we can use them to thrive in our lives,
The paperback version is also out now as well as the kindle version, if you would like to purchase a copy click the following links
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