Burnout kod milenijalaca | Mirjana Belavić | TEDxKarlovac

Quick Overview

Mirjana Belavić argues that the burnout experienced by Millennials and Gen Z is often rooted in an external locus of control, where they attribute success and failure to external factors rather than internal capabilities, leading to an unsustainable work-life balance that mirrors technology failures like an overloaded computer.

Key Points: Burnout among Millennials and Gen Z is strongly linked to an external locus of control, where external factors dictate perceived success or failure. Millennials often seek constant validation and struggle with setting boundaries, unlike older generations who prioritized stability and employer loyalty. The speaker notes that the WHO classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon in 2019 (MKB-10), emphasizing its professional context. Gen Z seeks more control over their work and practical, effective solutions like taking breaks and adjusting tasks, contrasting with older generations' reliance on sheer endurance. The speaker suggests that relying solely on external validation (bosses, colleagues, family) for success prevents individuals from realizing their own capabilities. The fundamental difference between generations lies in their locus of control: Millennials lean external, while Gen Z shows a stronger tendency toward internal control regarding work and life satisfaction.

Context: Mirjana Belavić, a psychologist and psychotherapist, presents at TEDxKarlovac to discuss the phenomenon of burnout, specifically focusing on how it affects Millennials and Gen Z. She contrasts their coping mechanisms and value systems with those of older generations, emphasizing the role of locus of control in managing work-related stress and achieving personal satisfaction.

Detailed Analysis

Mirjana Belavić, a psychologist and psychotherapist, discusses the relationship between Millennials, Gen Z, and burnout, noting that the WHO officially classified burnout as an occupational phenomenon in 2019 under ICD-10. She asserts that a primary driver for burnout in younger generations is an external locus of control, meaning they attribute success or failure to external forces—like their boss, colleagues, or family—rather than their own efforts or abilities. This contrasts with previous generations who valued stability and loyalty to an employer. Belavić points out that Millennials often seek external validation, while Gen Z desires more control over their work and seeks practical solutions like taking breaks and adjusting tasks. She uses the analogy of an overloaded computer that cannot be clicked off to describe the feeling of being perpetually 'on' without the ability to rest or reboot. The speaker concludes that when individuals rely excessively on external validation, they fail to recognize their inherent capabilities, leading them to feel unsatisfied even when achieving goals. She explicitly states that the key difference in approach between Millennials and Gen Z is that the latter is more likely to seek internal control and solutions for work-life balance, such as setting boundaries and taking necessary time off.