“Burnout” is a bad name for a real thing

The Annual Workplace Wellbeing Report just dropped for 2026 and the topline information is that more than half of the US workforce is “languishing.” Which means “failing to make any progress.”

Does that ring for you? Do you worry about that in others? I do.

Not only because it’s bad on its own, but because languishing is a big risk factor for burnout. Which is even worse. Burnout leads to suppression of mental and physical health. It’s a well-defined syndrome that is poorly named and even more poorly addressed in most workplaces.

The definition: A combination of exhaustion, cynicism (the belief that what you do doesn’t matter) and decreased efficacy (the belief that you’re not as good at what you do as you could/should/used to be).

And here’s why it’s poorly named. When I image search “burnout” I see picture after picture of spent matches. The pervasive idea that once we’re burnt we can’t ever again ignite with our passion and purpose, be heat and light again… is absolutely false.

We can recover from and prevent burnout – and next week we’re going to talk about how. But before then, will you share with me what you do to prevent or mitigate your own exhaustion, cynicism or decreased efficacy? Hit reply, please, I’d really like to know!

All my best,

Dr. G