"The literal definition of rust out is to decay and become unusable through the action of rust. Rust out is a type of burnout that comes from not using your unique skills and talents at work, lacking learning opportunities, and ultimately, dreading the repetitive tasks at work that sap your creativity. Not only is this costly to an employee's peace and mental health, but it's costly to employers, too. According to Gallup's 2025 engagement report, the global percentage of engaged employees was 21% in 2024."
"One of the biggest contributors to rust out is spending your energy in places that don't align with your unique talents and skills. In my own experience, and in working with my clients, a simple way to uncover your unique talents is to notice your energy. I believe every work activity falls into one of three categories: energy suckers, energy stallers, and energy surgers. Energy suckers feel like they take heroic effort, even though the task wasn't all that large or difficult."
Rust out is a form of burnout that results from underusing unique skills and talents, lacking learning opportunities, and facing repetitive tasks that drain creativity. Symptoms include tiredness, low energy, and emotional drain without overwork or excessive hours. Rust out reduces employee peace and mental health and imposes costs on employers, correlating with low engagement rates: global engagement was 21% in 2024, with declines among young and female managers. Conducting an energy audit helps identify where energy is spent. Work activities can be categorized as energy suckers, energy stallers, or energy surgers to guide adjustments toward more energizing tasks.
Read at Fast Company
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