Burnout at work builds when you have been “fine” for too long without recovery. Burnout rarely happens overnight. It is usually the result of sustained pressure, high expectations, and emotional strain without enough recovery. People who care deeply about doing great work are especially vulnerable, because they keep pushing long after the warning signs show up. Here is the direct truth: burnout at work is not a character flaw. It is a signal. What Burnout at Work Often Looks