I have a theory that burnout is about resentment. And you beat it by knowing what it is you’re giving up that makes you resentful.
– Marissa Mayer, American novelist

Nancy Rosenow, in her book of daily support, Encouragement Every Day, writes, “People use the term ‘burnout’ for all kinds of reasons. I’m using it today to describe a feeling I start to get when the ratio of what I’m doing for others gets out of balance with my own needs. It’s important for me to recognize the first embers of burnout before they fan into full-fledged flames.”

Early childhood administrators and educators are all-too familiar with how easy it can be to get out of balance until care for others far outweighs care for self.

An article on the website of Education Support, a UK charity dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of teachers and education staff, writes about burnout this way:

“Herbert Freudenberger coined the term in the 1970’s. He recognised that professions which involve a strong sense of morality or purpose, and commitment from workers who sacrifice themselves for the good of others, were most at risk….What we need is an understanding of the signs of burnout and the proactive measures that can be put in place to avoid it. We need to look after ourselves and those we work with, if we are to keep great teachers teaching.”

One of the article’s strong recommendations is “accept that sometimes you just have to say no.” Finding the balance, as Rosenow writes, between care for others and self, often means saying no to worthwhile endeavors in order to say yes to personal needs. As the Marissa Mayer quote reminds us, too much self-sacrifice on behalf of others can lead to the kind of resentment that causes burnout.

Encouragement Every Day was created, Rosenow writes, to help early care and education professionals recognize how to honor their own needs. “Even in the best of times, it is a challenging profession, so if these pages give you a lift before you begin your day, I’ll be so glad. I believe with my whole heart that it is also one of the most gratifying and important professions in the world.”