Exhaustion in the Era of Constant Crisis: A Call for Transformation in 2024.

2023: More Than Just Exhaustion, It's an Urgency to Reconnect

Cal Newport's New Yorker article, "An Exhausting Year in (and Out of) the Office" echoes a resounding truth: 2023 wasn't just tiring, it was a year of collective exhaustion. His claim that "knowledge work is broken" and "everyone is tired" resonates deeply. From the pandemic to the 'Remote-Work Wars', 'Quiet Quitting', and pervasive burnout, workers were battered by crisis after crisis for the past several years. 

Beyond the Workplace Grind:

2023 was a relentless onslaught of crises and responses, leaving knowledge workers (and beyond) feeling drained and demoralized. The constant political tumult, global wars, escalating climate change & economic uncertainty added an unsettling layer of anxiety. For me, juggling caregiving for aging parents, mental health struggles, motherhood, and marriage piled on for an exquisite dumpster fire of doom. 

Digital Overload: A Culprit Beyond Knowledge Workers:

Newport identifies the "sharp rise in digital communication" as a major culprit. The endless notifications, redundant emails, and incessant pinging fuel a chronic state of overload, eroding both focus and satisfaction. But is this really it?

This doesn’t seem to be just a knowledge-worker problem – a friend who works in education, says they feel "dead inside" at work. Another, who is a therapist wonders “what is the point?”, reflecting a wider malaise across professions.

A Call for Transformation, Not Just Repair:

While Newport suggests we "fix" this exhaustion through mindful communication & bondaries on digital avaialbilty, I propose a bolder vision. 2024 demands a fundamental shift in priorities. We need leaders who dare to prioritize the human side of business and will invest in genuine connection, meaningful communication, and authentic inspiration for workers. It's time to reclaim our focus, recharge our energy, and reconnect with what truly matters.

I believe workers also need dedicated time and space to process all the stress and pressures that have piled up and reconnect with their humanity and purpose. Perhaps 2024 can be the year we rebuild, not just recover.

How was 2023 for you and what are you hoping for in 2024?

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