Unmask Your Misalignment
Unmask Your Misalignment
The silent enemy of our motivation, engagement, and well-being.
My alarm goes off. A wave of dread washes over me, reminding me of another dreaded workday ahead. Hitting the snooze button at least three times was my daily ritual, delaying the inevitable if only for 5 more minutes.
This was my life for several years in a role that didn’t fit who I was, what I did well and what I cared about.
I felt like a puzzle piece forced into the wrong spot.
This disconnection, which is called misalignment burnout, is a silent enemy of our motivation, engagement, and well-being. It’s a thief, robbing us of the passion and purpose that should fuel our work. It sneaks up on us, showing up as stress, fatigue, and a sense of being lost. This post will cover the basics of misalignment and its impact, so you can be empowered to take the first steps toward identifying it.
Defining misalignment burnout
Think of misalignment burnout as a form of exhaustion that comes from being a square peg forced into a round hole at work….everyday. It is caused by a lack of agreement between your values, personality, interests and your work environment. There are four primary types of misalignment that can lead to this form of burnout:
4 key types of misalignment:
Motivational misalignment: This happens when the types of motivation required by the job (e.g., extrinsic, controlled) conflicts with your inherent motivational tendencies (e.g., intrinsic, autonomous). When we are consistently motivated in ways that don’t align with our natural inclinations, it can lead to feelings of frustration and demotivation.
Personality misalignment: happens when key personality traits are at odds with job demands, culture, or team dynamics. Research has shown that certain personality traits, such as neuroticism and introversion, are associated with higher levels of burnout (International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health, 2015). Personality misalignment can lead to feelings of stress, conflict, and a lack of fit, which contribute to burnout.
Skills misalignment: occurs when there is a poor fit between an our skills, abilities, and job requirements, leading to overload or underutilization. A study of physicians found that nurturing emotional intelligence skills, which are often underutilized in medical practice, may help reduce burnout (BMC Medical Education, 2022). Skills misalignment can lead to feelings of incompetence, frustration, and a lack of control, which contribute to burnout.
Value misalignment: This occurs when our core values conflict with the values and norms of an organization. When we feel like we can’t be our authentic selves at work or pursue goals that align with what they care about, it can lead to feelings of dissonance, cynicism, and ultimately, burnout.
It is important to remember that misalignment burnout isn’t just about feeling “blah” about your job. It has a far reaching impact on your mental, emotional, and physical health.
Psychological Impacts
Cognitive Dissonance theory is something I’ve learned about while studying industrial-organizational psychology. It suggests that when we experience a conflict between our values and our actions (in this case, at work), it cause psychological discomfort. This discomfort can result in stress and feelings of alienation, which are key components of burnout (Maslach & Leiter, 2016).
Emotional exhaustion, a primary symptom of burnout, occurs when we feel overwhelmed and drained of emotional resources due to persistent stress (Maslach, Schaufeli, & Leiter, 2001). Misalignment intensifies this by forcing us to constantly adjust and adapt, depleting our emotional reserves.
Lack of Autonomy and Control: According to Self-determination theory, we need autonomy (control over our actions), competence (to feel effective), and relatedness (connection to others). Misalignment often means sacrificing autonomy, leading to demotivation, stress, and ultimately, burnout. (Deci & Ryan, 2000; Vansteenkiste & Ryan, 2013)
Physical Impact
Misalignment burnout doesn’t just affect our minds and emotions. It can also take a significant toll on our bodies. I personally experienced significant physical health issues as a result of misalignment such weight gain, high cholesterol and sleep deprivation. The physical consequences can be just as devastating as the psychological effects and can even make the psychological effects worse.
Chronic Fatigue is one of the most common physical symptoms of misalignment burnout. This goes beyond just feeling tired; it’s a bone-deep exhaustion that doesn’t go away with a good night’s sleep. The constant stress and mental strain of working in an environment that doesn’t suit you can drain your physical energy reserves.
Sleep Disorders can be a byproduct of misalignment burnout, including insomnia and disrupted sleep patterns. The anxiety and stress associated with feeling out of place at work can keep your mind racing at night, preventing you from falling asleep or causing you to wake up frequently. Over time, poor sleep quality can lead to a host of other health problems, including weakened immunity, weight gain, cardiovascular disease and increased risk of other chronic diseases.
Gastrointestinal problems are another common physical consequence of misalignment burnout. Chronic stress from feeling out of place at work can disrupt digestion and lead to issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), acid reflux, and stomach ulcers (Journal of Psychosomatic Research, 2023). In a study of physicians, those experiencing burnout were more likely to report gastrointestinal symptoms (Official Journal of the American College of Gastroenterology, 2022).
The physical toll of misalignment burnout is a powerful reminder of the importance of alignment in our careers. By recognizing the signs of misalignment and taking proactive steps to address them, we can prevent burnout and maintain our well-being.
Recognize the signs
Misalignment burnout may not always announce itself in an obvious way. Instead, it often creeps in slowly, making it essential for you to recognize the subtle signs so you can take action early.
Chronic disengagement from your work, finding yourself just going through the motions without enthusiasm, can be a red flag of misalignment. One of the key indicators for me was a nagging sense that my work lacked true meaning and purpose — I often found myself questioning, “What’s the point of all this?” If what once excited you about your job now feels dull and uninspiring, it’s likely a sign that you’re out of alignment.
You might also experience a deeper identity crisis, doubting your career path and wondering if you’re truly in the right field. Recognizing these signs is crucial — they’re your inner wisdom alerting you to make a change. By acknowledging them, you can empower yourself to take the first steps toward addressing misalignment and preventing burnout.
Here are some practical steps you can take to further identify misalignment in your career:
Reflect on your values, personality, interests, and skills: Take some time to reflect on what matters most to you in a career, what motivates you, what you enjoy doing, and where your strengths are. You can use exercises like writing down your core values, completing personality assessments like the HighFive Test, and identifying your signature strengths to gain clarity.
Assess your current role: Honestly evaluate your current job. What are the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities? What is the culture and work environment like? Where does it align with and conflict with your values, personality, interests, and skills?
Seek feedback: Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends for their observations. Sometimes others can see misalignment more clearly than we can. Be open to constructive feedback and use it as data to inform your self-reflection.
Explore new possibilities: If you suspect misalignment, don’t be afraid to explore other roles, industries, or career paths that may be a better fit. Networking with people in these areas, job shadowing, or even taking on side projects can provide valuable insights.
By taking these steps, you can gain a clearer understanding of any misalignment in your current role and start envisioning a career path that aligns with who you are and what you want.