Boreout or Burnout? A Step-by-Step Guide to Identifying and Managing Both

The workplace isn't always fun, exciting, and fulfilling. Think of mundane and tedious work you ought to accomplish almost every day. Consider the tons of tasks you ought to finish by the end of the month.

Two scenarios: Either you are utterly bored or completely burned out. How can you draw the line between the two, and what does it take to handle them?

Don't worry. This page tackles the difference between boreout and burnout. Read on to learn how to identify and manage them for a productive and rewarding workplace.

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The Key Difference between Boreout and Burnout

It's easy to see most employees being unproductive and disengaged in the workplace. Over 50% of employees reported being relatively unproductive at work, and their reasons for disengagement include the following:

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While employees are unproductive and disengaged for various reasons, some aren't aware if they are simply bored at work or completely burned out.

Understanding the difference between boreout and burnout in the workplace is crucial. Identifying the actual problem can help you find the right solution. That said, here's the difference between the two:

• Boreout is chronic boredom in the workplace, characterized by feeling underworked, unchallenged, and unmotivated at work. This existing problem surfaces due to the following:
• Work monotony
• Professional stagnation
• No exciting challenges
• Limited opportunities
• Lack of purpose, value, and meaning
• Burnout is an occupational phenomenon defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as "a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed." WHO also highlights its three dimensions:

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• Utter exhaustion
• Job negativity
• Low effectiveness

Further, Gallup cites the primary causes of burnout:

• Unjust treatment in the workplace
• Unmanageable or unrealistic workload
• Unclear roles or job expectations
• Unreasonable deadlines
• Poor communication and management support

Matt Wouldes, Founder of Land & Sea NZ, emphasizes the difference between boreout and boredom. "Boreout and boredom might seem similar, but they're worlds apart. Boredom is a temporary lack of interest, while boreout is a deeper, chronic issue stemming from feeling underutilized and unchallenged at work."

Wouldes explains, "Identifying this difference is key to finding the right fix and re-engaging your workforce. Start by fostering open communication and constant collaboration as well as grabbing opportunities that challenge and excite you."

Learn how to handle both problems at work in the next section.

How To Identify and Manage Boreout and Burnout

Identifying the difference between boreout and burnout is one thing; Learning how to manage them is another.

Unfortunately, these chronic workplace phenomena are inevitable, striking almost everyone at work. However, dealing with them well is key to rising above these problems, lest you end up quitting work and job hopping whenever they happen.

That said, here are practical ways to address boreout and burnout, as shared by business experts:

1. Assess yourself in the workplace

Self-assessment is essential for professional growth and career development. If you feel demotivated, unproductive, or disengaged in the workplace, it's time to evaluate yourself.

Are you feeling bored at work or burned out altogether?  Here's what you need to do:

• Self-evaluation: Make a conscious effort to monitor and measure your performance against set key performance indicators (KPIs). Are you hitting or falling short on your targets? Then, evaluate yourself to determine the cause of the problem.
• Feedback loop: It's also a good idea to seek feedback from others. Communicate with your supervisor about your performance during one-on-one sessions. Also, get insights from your colleagues about your workplace attitude.

Michael Nemeroff, Co-founder & CEO at RushOrderTees, recommends undergoing self-assessment for boredom or stress management.

Nemeroff says, "Understanding whether you're dealing with boredom or burnout starts with honest self-assessment. Take time to evaluate your performance, motivation, and energy levels at work to pinpoint the root of the issue. From there, you can focus on boredom management strategies or stress relief techniques to regain productivity and engagement."

2. Identify if you're bored or burned out

After having a self-assessment, you can figure out if you're suffering from boreout or burnout. Understand the key difference defined above and understand what causes this. That way, you can rule out what you're actually experiencing.

• Boreout: To understand this clearly, think of chronic boredom in the workplace. Not only do you feel bored at work, but you also become unproductive and disengaged. A 2021 study revealed that bored-out government employees deal with high stress, depression, and anxiety.
• Burnout: Conversely, this equates to chronic stress in the workplace. Nearly 60% of American workers have reported feeling at least moderate levels of burnout. The report also cites that the most vulnerable to this case are the following:

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Murtaza Oklu, Owner of OMO Transfer, draws the line between boreout and burnout. "Distinguishing boreout from burnout is crucial for tackling the right issue."

Oklu argues, "Boreout stems from lack of challenge and meaning, leaving you disengaged, while burnout arises from chronic stress and overload. Recognizing which one you're facing helps you take targeted steps to either reignite your passion or lighten the load."

3. Review your professional goals

Now that you know your problem, it's time to go back to your core: Why did you take this job? This question is crucial in setting your roadmap to career progression and professional growth. So, reexamine your professional goals to overcome your situation.

In times of bored or burned out, review your SMART goals:

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• Specific: What exactly am I trying to achieve here?
• Measurable: How will I know I'm making progress?
• Attainable: Can I realistically pull this off with what I've got right now?
• Relevant: Does this actually help me get where I want to go in my career?
• Time-bound: When do I want to get this done?

Dr. Mo Ziaei, Cornea & Vision Correction Specialist at Re:Vision, recommends setting SMART goals for boreout and burnout prevention and management.

Ziaei shares, "Setting and revisiting your SMART goals is a powerful way to prevent and manage boreout or burnout.

Clear, measurable, and time-bound objectives keep you focused and motivated, whether you need to reignite your purpose or balance your workload. Take the time to align your goals with what truly matters to you professionally."

4. Seek support from the right people

Boreout or burnout in the workplace can be debilitating. Either one can have negative repercussions on your physical health and overall well-being. So when you're starting to feel overwhelmed, ask for help from other people—the right people.

Here's how:

• Speak with your immediate boss. Supervisors are responsible for empowering employees. They can help you overcome the feeling of being bored or burned out.
• Reach out to your HR personnel. Human resources provide workforce development programs to help their employees. They can offer effective measures to address boreout or burnout.
• Ask for help from your family. They could be the primary reason you're working—to earn a living, put food on the table, and support your family. Draw inspiration and motivation from them!
• Set a support group in place. Your circle of friends and colleagues can be your support system. The right circle will always be there to help you, especially during difficult times—even at work!
• Seek professional help. If your problem escalates to physical and mental health problems like depression and anxiety, it's necessary to work with health professionals.

Learn from Chris Aubeeluck, Head of Sales and Marketing at Osbornes Law. He emphasizes the need to seek help from others to handle boreout or burnout.

Aubeeluck nudges, "Handling boreout or burnout isn't something you need to face alone—seeking help is essential. Whether it's speaking with your manager, HR, family, or trusted colleagues, having the right support system can make all the difference. Don't hesitate to reach out and prioritize your well-being."

5. Take time to engage with your team

Employee disengagement has become a workplace problem, possibly due to boreout or burnout. American workers feel more detached from their employers, having fewer expectations, satisfaction, and connections. Only 33% felt engaged at work last year—a slight decline in recent years!

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To address boreout or burnout, work with your team to change your professional vibe and the workplace ambiance. Here's how:

• Communicate with your team regularly. Regular communication is almost always the key to workplace success. Interact with your colleagues to kill the boredom or reduce your workload.
• Collaborate with various stakeholders. Constant collaboration is necessary in the workplace. Not only does it help you reduce your task, but it also lets you connect with people and build good relationships.
• Participate in engagement activities. Engagement initiatives are meant to break the ice in the workplace—either to kill boredom or de-stress!

Take it from Stanislav Khilobochenko, VP of Customer Services at Clario. He firmly believes in promoting employee engagement to avoid burnout and boreout.

Khilobochenko says, "Employee engagement is key to preventing both boreout and burnout.

Regular communication, collaboration, and participation in team activities help boost morale and foster stronger connections. By actively engaging with your team, you can create a more dynamic and supportive workplace for everyone."

6. Employ time-management techniques

Time management is a key concept in business for workplace productivity. Not only does it help you organize your tasks and lighten your workload, but it also keeps you productive instead of bored.

Below are some of the best time-management techniques to employ:

• The Eisenhower Matrix requires handling tasks based on their order of urgency and importance. To decide what to prioritize, follow the quadrant below:

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• The Pomodoro Technique involves taking short tasks with breaks in between. How does it work exactly? Work for about 25 minutes, rest for five minutes and repeat.
• The eat-that-frog Rule entails tackling the most difficult tasks to the easiest ones. Take it from Mark Twain: "Eat that frog alive; Don't just stare at it."
• Time blocking is about creating time blocks for each task to manage your time more efficiently and effectively. Each block has a series of tasks to accomplish in a given period.

Greg Arnold, General Manager at Kitchen Mania, emphasizes the importance of time management in the workplace.

Arnold explains, "Time management is crucial for staying productive and avoiding both boreout and burnout. Techniques like the Eisenhower Matrix, Pomodoro, and time blocking help you stay focused and organized, ensuring you stay engaged and balanced. Prioritizing tasks and managing your time efficiently can keep you motivated and on track."

7. Practice the art of self-care

Work can be either tedious or demanding. It's crucial to practice self-care to avoid boredom or stress.

WHO defines self-care as "Individuals, families, and communities' promoting and maintaining their health, preventing disease, and coping with illness and disability, with or without the support of a health worker."

Here are some self-care tips:

• Balanced diet: It's essential to eat the right kinds of foods for proper nutrition. Take some of the WHO's food recommendations:

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• Proper hydration: The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends a daily fluid intake (DFI) of 3.7 liters for men ( 15.5 cups) and 2.7 liters for women (11.5 cups).
• Regular exercise: Physical activity is essential for your physical and mental health. Set a time for working out before or after work, such as hitting the gym, doing yoga, or performing calisthenics. If not, you can simply run, jog, or walk for at least 30 minutes daily!
• Enough sleep: Getting a night of restful and restorative slumber is important, especially if you have a demanding job. Follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention or CDC's sleep recommendations:

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Julia Doak, Franchisor at Bedpost, recommends practicing self-care to fight off boreout and burnout. "Self-care is key to avoiding both boredom and burnout.

Eating well, staying hydrated, exercising, and getting enough sleep can make a big difference in how you feel at work. Taking care of yourself keeps you energized, focused, and ready to take on whatever comes your way."

Final Words

Boreout and burnout are rampant in the workplace, affecting almost every employee. When neglected, they can negatively impact physical and mental wellness.

So, managing both is vital for protecting one's well-being while staying productive in the workplace.

Start by identifying the key difference between boreout and burnout. More importantly, follow our crucial steps for managing them—from having self-evaluation to fostering a work-life balance. With these in place, you can rise above these circumstances and consistently succeed in the workplace!

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