Burnout…we’ve heard about it, maybe experienced it, worried about it or seen it in others. The root of burnout can be stress, overwork, persistent workplace problems, or maybe even the realization that you don't enjoy your work.

In working with service professionals, such as medical providers, therapists, social workers, and hospice workers, I've learned that burnout can come from feeling we are giving more than we get. This is sometimes hard to admit when we have chosen our professions based on the fact that we enjoy taking care of others. Regardless of the cause, burnout can impair our ability to perform our jobs or cause us to leave them.

If you relate to any of the following, you may be at some level of burnout.

The minute you wake up, you are dreading going to work and have a hard time getting out of bed.
You often try to figure out how you are going to make it through another day.
Your thoughts are a little more bitter and resentful in your workplace.
You are starting to gossip and vent when you never did before.
You are relieved when a client cancels, a meeting is moved, or a project stalled.
You find yourself not as present in the workplace, experiencing a declining level of investment, lower pride in your job or lessened connection to others.
Instead of doing something to take care of yourself or have fun, you stay late at work, even though you are tired and not really accomplishing much.
Your heart just isn’t in it like it used to be.

These are just a few signs, but if you identified with even one of these, I encourage you to increase the kindness in your life for yourself and others. I know this sounds simple, especially when we are too tired to be kind. You will find that when you participate in kindness, you feel more connected to others, you rediscover joy in your life, and have more purpose and meaning.

To begin, start everyday with a positive intention about your day before you put your feet even hit the ground.