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Signs of burnout at work and what you can do about it

Dave Cordle

CREATED BY DAVE CORDLE

Published: 17/09/2026 @ 09:01AM

#WorkExhaustion #RecogniseEarlySigns #BurnoutPrevention #ManagingWorkStress #WorkLifeBalance

Most of us have periods when work feels exhausting, frustrating, or too much. A difficult week does not necessarily mean burnout, but recognising early signs at work can help you make changes before things become harder to manage ...

Recognising the signs of burnout at work is crucial for maintaining your well-being and productivity

Recognising the signs of burnout at work is crucial for maintaining your well-being and productivity

Some of the signs of burnout at work can be surprisingly easy to dismiss. You might feel tired even after a reasonable night's sleep, struggle to concentrate on tasks that would normally be straightforward or find yourself becoming irritated by relatively minor problems.

Perhaps Sunday evening starts filling you with dread?

Another warning sign can be a change in how you feel about the work itself. Someone who was previously enthusiastic may become increasingly detached or cynical. You might stop volunteering ideas, avoid conversations with colleagues or feel as though you are simply going through the motions.

Even achievements that once gave you satisfaction can start to feel unimportant.

Physical symptoms can also appear. Stress can contribute to headaches, muscle tension, disturbed sleep, and appetite changes. None of these automatically means work is the cause, and persistent or worrying symptoms should always be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional. But noticing changes in how you feel physically, as well as emotionally, can help you recognise when something needs attention.

The important thing is not to wait until you reach
breaking point before doing something!

Start small. Take ten minutes away from your desk at lunchtime without checking your phone. Finish work when you're supposed to, rather than answering just one more email. You could also write down the parts of your working week that drain the most energy and look for patterns.

Recognising the signs of burnout at work does not automatically mean you need to resign or make a dramatic career change.

It means giving yourself permission to examine what is happening and decide what needs to change. One small boundary, one honest conversation, or even one proper lunch break can be a useful first step.

The important thing is to take that step rather than simply hoping things will eventually get better.

Until next time ...


DAVE CORDLE
Career Development Professional

07941 690 391

www.davecordle.co.uk / www.linkedin.com/in/davecordle

Everything you need for your career:  www.davecordle.co.uk/basecamp

Would you like to know more?

If anything in my blog post resonates with you and you'd like some further help and advice with your career, then why not get in touch today? Call me on 07941 690391, visit my website at davecordle.co.uk to see ways I can help and support you, or connect with me on LinkedIn and let's start a conversation.

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#WorkExhaustion #RecogniseEarlySigns #BurnoutPrevention #ManagingWorkStress #WorkLifeBalance

About Dave Cordle ...

Dave Cordle 

I began my professional life training as a cartographer with the Directorate of Overseas Surveys, a department of the British government. I made maps of places such as Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Sudan and the British Virgin Islands. It was a fascinating time, being involved in planning the flights for aerial photography, interpreting the photographs and eventually producing the plates for the different layers of the final map.

It was during my latter years as a cartographer and my career in computing that I undertook bigger mountaineering expeditions to the Andes, the Himalayas, the Tien Shan and the Caucasus. At that time I also held various leadership roles in scouting. I coached and trained young people successfully leading them to develop themselves and embrace new experiences. So that’s where my passion comes from to help young people learn the strategies for success that I share with my business and career clients.

My journey in personal professional development and coaching has been amazing, and will continue to be so: it’s why I’m here, it’s my big passion. It’s what has informed my vision and mission.

However unlikely your dream might seem, if you keep taking steps towards it, even small steps, you may well just surprise yourself.

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