wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

Yes, please upload the full segment! The mp3 cuts 3 minutes in!

Maybe I should listen to this before I post, but I'm compelled to post anyway; I'm just THAT burnt out from work.

I work M-F, yet by early Saturday afternoon I'm already feeling as if my weekend's over. Just the THOUGHT of going back on Monday gets me thinking about Friday all over again.

Things that were once enjoyable now seem like a chore. I would exercise daily for 30-50 minutes. Now it's more like 5-6 days for 20-25 minutes. My 8lb hand weights feel like 100lbs! I have no energy. And I've even gained at least 20lbs in the last four years. I just KNOW it all stems from how I feel about my job and my inability to find a better one.

I used to make daily entries in my journal. My current one is only half way complete, and I began writing in it 11 years ago! That clearly indicates when my rut began. It's like I'm in flippin' work purgatory; or, perhaps an existential funk?

I try to think positive, I really do. And I put on a happy face at work. But, I fantasize about quitting. However, I'm responsible and not that adventurous, so....

Please upload the full segment!

The MP3 download of this segment cuts out. Is there anyway to hear the full interview?

The audio on the MP3 Download cuts out. Is there anyway to hear the full interview?

I am not burned out with the job but with ONE person who has made my job hell...

He doesn't do anything and I have to pick up his slack...
It's been going on for years now and no one's complaints are acted upon.

poor me..

Gotta admit... I feel burnout coming on... But come on. With the unemployment rate escalating, and all, burnout is the least of our problems.

quick call ACS on that last caller!

Try combining working at 911 along with NYC's racist policy towards promotion. Blacks don't like to take orders from whites, especially, male whites.

I think the true source of burn out needs to be addressed- anger.

in reference to vacation attitude in american culture:
Is there a difference between the statistics of US burn out numbers vs European (with much more vacation)?

aside from simple overworking, i feel technology contributes to a sense of constant anxiety in the workplace. e-mail allows anonymity that enables people to place unhumanistic demands!

How can you not be cynical in a world where you can be killed by a BLT?

doesn't everyone feel that way about work. i mean it's just a job!

I have been on the verge of a total burnout which is sad being only 26- i had to quit my job as a waitress and start working toward doing something that I really love. But the hardest part was feeling stuck- my burning out seemed to trigger a depression. Our society's mentality of needing to work constantly only continues to worsen the problem.

Denice - I am forever worried that if I use too much power, I am contributing to a potential blackout - so I cool my apt and then let the vornado take over - it works!

re: BURNOUT to everyone else - freelancer burnout from too many screenplay rejections!!! thanks for this segment.

I was at a job for two years where I never felt appreciated or permanent: My desk was given to a 18 yr old intern & my boss was always blowing hot and cold.

Sign of burnout: Absolutely dreading going to work & being soooo tired in the morning; too tired to get up and go to work, but being fine early on weekends

When I felt this way I knew I had enough & had to quit

how about self-employed people-- being isolated working at home makes it worse.

There's nothing quite like teacher burn out. Thanks to my semester off, I feel revived and ready to return to the classroom, but how pathetic that the only way I could do this was by having a baby.

I am a freelancer, I have just been offered a salaried position but it came with a condition and a statement that if I do not take the position they will have to end my contract by law. I feel micro managed even though my work is always on time. I also get the evil eye if I show up 15 min late. Etc I could keep going but I think I am burned out by the frustration and the feeling that I am trapped in a very bad situation.

I've had all of these symtoms. How should I relieve my burn out?

I no longer work but when I did what I always found a horrible problem is that on appraisal sheets supervisors would dwell on the negatives of an employee's work and either breeze by the positives OR, even worse, say that the employee is doing her/his job and that's what s/he should be doing, i.e., that's your job, that's what you're supposed to be doing. That's not very encouraging and it also allows the organization to give the standard, lousy increase in salary. It's time for a revolution in the workplace too!!

If you feel unappreciated, inadequately rewarded, and most of all feel as if you are not respected and don't have a voice in your workplace, join a union!

Brian,
I wish you hadn't used the a/c burn out analogy to introduce this segment. You've totally freaked me out and I'm now scared to death my air conditioner is going to die on me. Thanks.

hjs, LOL!

i'm so burned out at work i spend the whole day posting to the Brian Lehrer Show Listener Comments board

Also need to distinguish if it is burn out or you're just in love and can't focus on work anymore!