The Frog in Hot Water

Like the frog in the old metaphor of slowly heating water, you rarely notice burnout building. Each small change feels harmless on its own. It usually moves through five stages:

• Stage 1: Honeymoon. Engaged and going above and beyond. It feels great, but unsustainable habits set in.
• Stage 2: Onset of stress. Optimism fades. You lean on caffeine and venting instead of real fixes.
• Stage 3: Chronic stress. Bad days outnumber good. Symptoms appear and you withdraw from life outside work.
• Stage 4: Burnout. You hit the wall. Exhaustion, cynicism, and ineffectiveness take over.
• Stage 5: Habitual burnout. Burnout becomes your normal and can slide into clinical depression.