In the initial stages of their career, enthusiasm and aspirations are high, and ambition is not readily tempered. At some point in their working life, at a time dictated by circumstance, personality, original ideals and achievements, it is likely that the enthusiasm may start to wane. As the thrust of the early years wears off, the individual settles down into a routine where there is a tendency to preserve the status quo more than in previous years. Isolation, political dissatisfaction, hierarchical management structures, and lack of defined goals, and objectives can contribute to mounting frustration.
Frustration can cause a vicious cycle of increasing dissatisfaction.
Minor hindrances such as administration and paperwork become a major trial and the feelings of being stifled and powerless add to the burden. If the frustration becomes too much, even periods of achievement will fail to restore the previous enthusiasm. The individual will dream of change and usually try to take steps to produce significant change. If this change can be instituted the person will often become re-enthused and may return to the beginning of the cycle. Edelwich and Brodsky argue that this is the point where burnout becomes an entity, as the fourth stage in the process becomes apparent.