The experience of burnout can feel overwhelming, but understanding it through the lens of physics may provide valuable insights. Zahaan Bharmal, a professional at Google and a recipient of the NASA Exceptional Public Achievement medal, reflects on his journey through burnout and how principles of physics helped him comprehend and recover from this challenging phase in his life.
Bharmal’s story begins with a familiar concept in physics: Newton’s second law of motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration. For him, this equation represented a structured universe where hard work would inevitably lead to success. However, the reality of life proved different when he faced redundancy nine months into his first job in 2001. The sudden loss, exacerbated by burnout from relentless work demands, shattered his belief in predictable outcomes.
The layoff, although painful, was part of a broader economic context. The bursting of the dotcom bubble had sent shockwaves through various industries, leading to significant job cuts. Bharmal noted that such crises have recurred over the years, including the 2008 financial crisis, the 2011 eurozone crisis, and subsequent market fluctuations. These events illustrate how chaotic systems can produce unpredictable outcomes, often triggered by minor failures.
Bharmal draws parallels between chaotic systems in physics and the unpredictability of life. He refers to the three-body problem, which highlights how adding just one more variable can drastically complicate predictions. This concept resonates with the turbulence of modern job markets, where external factors can dramatically alter one’s career trajectory.
In a society that often glorifies hard work and maximum productivity, many individuals believe that pushing themselves to the limit will yield success. Bharmal reflects on his own experience, noting that he operated without any “surge capacity,” a term borrowed from engineering that refers to the ability of a system to absorb unexpected pressures. He explains that a power grid, for example, must maintain a buffer to handle sudden spikes in demand. Similarly, individuals require built-in flexibility to manage stress effectively.
Studies from Mental Health UK indicate that the issue of stress is widespread, with 91% of UK adults experiencing high levels of stress in the past year. Young workers, in particular, feel the pressure acutely, with almost half regularly working unpaid overtime. Bharmal’s observations suggest that many people are functioning like power grids running at full capacity, unaware of the impending burnout that looms.
Reflecting on his personal journey, Bharmal relates the experience of burnout to the concept of a phase transition in physics. Just as water remains stable until it reaches a critical boiling point, individuals can endure significant stress until a sudden shift occurs. This understanding has helped him develop techniques to build personal resilience and ensure he allows for unexpected events in his schedule.
Despite these insights, Bharmal critiques the current economic climate, which often treats burnout as a personal failure rather than a systemic issue. The recent Keep Britain Working review highlighted a troubling increase in individuals leaving the workforce due to mental health conditions. This raises an important question: are we creating an environment that demands 100% capacity, leaving no room for recovery or adaptation?
In conclusion, Bharmal emphasizes that while Newton’s laws can provide a framework for understanding the world, it is equally crucial to recognize the limits of these laws in chaotic systems. He advocates for a shift in perspective, encouraging individuals and organizations to recognize the importance of resilience and the necessity of maintaining capacity for recovery. The journey through burnout is complex, but it can lead to profound personal growth and a deeper understanding of how to navigate the unpredictable nature of life.
