What Does “Burnout” Mean? Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress, overwork, or imbalance between effort and recovery. In business, it often shows up as reduced productivity, cynicism, and withdrawal from work responsibilities. In daily life, burnout can manifest as fatigue, irritability, or a sense of hopelessness, even in activities once enjoyed.

What Does “Efficiency” Mean? Efficiency refers to the ability to accomplish a task or achieve a goal with the least waste of time, effort, or resources. It’s not just about speed, it’s about the balance of input versus output. In business: Efficiency means systems, processes, or people can produce desired outcomes with less waste. In everyday life: An efficient person gets things done faster and cleaner, freeing up energy for what matters most.

Definition: Time management — the practice of planning, organizing, and intentionally controlling how you spend your hours, minutes, and even seconds to increase efficiency, productivity, and goal achievement. Etymology: The word time comes from the Old English tīma, meaning “a limited space of existence, season, or lifetime,” rooted in the Proto-Germanic tīmô.