Burnt Out or Just Worn Out?
Yes, There Is a Difference - how to recognise it and what to do about it
Hardly a day goes by when I don’t read somewhere from someone online saying they are Burnt Out.”
I’ve been there.
Well, I think I have, but without a true clinical diagnosis, I can only assume that the intense feelings of what I can only describe as empty, combined with an unhealthy dose of anxiety thrown in, was indeed burnout.
Don’t get me wrong, I am in no way belittling anyone who has struggled.
I have nothing but sympathy and respect for those who have battled through or are still dealing with similar issues.
But that’s what’s really tricky about burnout is that it manifests in so many different ways, and few people are the same.
One thing is for sure, true burnout sucks and it sucks big time for those unfortunate enough to experience it first-hand.
Let’s start by unpacking this a bit.
True Burnout presents as a fundamentally different animal than being tired, exhausted, stressed or worn out.
If you’re in an executive or leadership role, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
It’s a deep-seated exhaustion that feels like no matter how much sleep or rest you do actually manage to get, you never feel fully recharged.
Both being burnt out and worn out can leave you feeling depleted and often helpless.
Understanding the difference between them could be the difference between a temporary setback and a career-impacting crisis.
The Important Distinction
Regular fatigue is your body and mind's natural response to intensive and often extended work periods.
All too common when you push hard for weeks, suck up late nights during budget cycles and projects, or navigating the delights of organisational politics.
Throw in family commitments, school runs, and the normal stressors of daily life, then it’s easy to see how everything backs up and stacks up.
Fatigue is unpleasant, but normal.
Fatigue is also usually manageable through adequate rest and downtime.
In short, yes, you're tired, probably exhausted, but rest, a holiday, or a lighter schedule normally restores your energy and enthusiasm.
You can bounce back.
Burnout, however, is an entirely different beast.
Think of it this way, if you're worn out, a good night's sleep and a weekend off can help you bounce back.
If you're burnt out, even a two-week holiday might leave you still tired, feeling flat and with a growing sense of dread about returning to the office.
The Executive Burnout Epidemic
The statistics for leaders make for sobering reading.
For executives, the stakes are even higher. You're not just managing your own stress; you're responsible for entire teams, departments, or organisations while facing increasing pressure from boards, stakeholders, and market demands.
Recent data shows burnout mentions in workplace reviews hit an all-time high in 2024, reflecting a growing crisis that's particularly acute in leadership roles.
The constant connectivity of modern business means you're never truly "off," creating the perfect storm for chronic stress accumulation.
Recognising the Warning Signs
Being worn out feels like physical exhaustion, a temporary loss of motivation, and the need for more sleep.
You might feel overwhelmed by your to-do list, but you still see meaning in your work.
Burnout presents very differently.
You might find yourself increasingly cynical about company initiatives you once championed and owned.
You’ve lost the sense of meaning and purpose in your work.
Decision-making becomes harder, not because the problems are more complex, but because you've lost confidence in your judgment.
You may start avoiding certain meetings or responsibilities, not from laziness, but from a deep sense that nothing you do will make a real difference.
The Recovery Path
If you're simply worn out, the solution is relatively straightforward.
Good rest, exercise, eating well, establishing boundaries, and temporary workload adjustments, more often than not, can get you back on track.
But burnout requires a more systematic approach.
Recovery from burnout often involves reassessing your very relationship with work itself.
This might mean delegating more effectively, renegotiating unrealistic expectations, or even making more significant changes to your role or environment.
Since burnout affects not just professional performance but overall health, addressing it becomes essential for long-term leadership effectiveness and, more importantly, your personal physical and mental well-being.
The Strategic Imperative
Understanding this distinction isn't just about personal wellness; it's about business continuity and living a purposeful, healthy life.
Worn-out executives can usually maintain decision-making quality and team leadership, even if they're not at peak performance.
Burnt-out executives, however, may inadvertently create toxic environments, make poor strategic choices, or worse, pass their cynicism down through the organisation.
Smart executives monitor their teams for both conditions, but they're equally vigilant about their own health.
They recognise that acknowledging burnout isn't a sign of weakness; it's strategic self-awareness that prevents larger organisational damage.
Moving Forward
The next time you find yourself questioning whether you're just tired or something more serious is happening, ask yourself, would a good vacation solve this?
If the answer is no, if you can't remember the last time you felt genuinely excited about a project, or if you find yourself going through the motions of leadership without connection to your “why,” it might be time to address burnout systematically.
Your organisation needs you at your best, not your most exhausted.
More importantly, so does your family.
Recognising the difference between worn out and burnt out is the first step toward ensuring you can lead effectively for years to come.
You have one life, live it.
I’m Richard Holloway, The Nomad Executive, a three-decade global Medtech leader, proudly unretired and actively crafting my next chapter.
I help executives, entrepreneurs, and midlife professionals navigate their professional and personal journeys and thrive beyond just corporate life.
Because your best leadership happens when you're operating from a place of strength, not depletion.
Follow me for my hard-earned lessons in health, leadership and performance, plus the mindset behind my own Corporate Detox.
Crying but in a professional way.