The Burn In Model

The Burn In Model is an emerging, evidence-informed occupational therapy model that offers a conceptual lens and shared language for understanding burnout and its opposite — Burn In. While developed to understand burnout, the model applies more broadly to how individuals, teams, organizations and communities explore alignment in how they live, work, and connect. 

Using the universal metaphor of fire, it explores the alignment between who you are (Being), where you belong (Belonging), and the meaningful things you do (Doing), which allows an individual to fulfill his/her potential through growth and transformation (Becoming).

At the heart of The Burn In Model is the Flame, which has two parts. The Inner Flame represents alignment between Being, Doing and Belonging. The Outer Flame represents potential for growth and transformation, Becoming.

The size and strength of the flame reflect the degree of alignment between Being, Doing and Belonging. When these three constructs are in strong alignment, the flame burns steady and strong — a state referred to as Burn In. When they are out of sync, the flame dims, flickers or shrinks to a faint glow. Complex and sustained misalignment extinguishes the flame entirely — this is burnout.

The Burn In Model recognizes that the flame is dynamic. It shifts with circumstances, relationships, and demands, and for many people, life is spent somewhere on the continuum between Burn In and burnout.

The Burn In Model identifies eight Ecosystem Elements that map the factors shaping how the flame burns:

• Spark — life, hope and possibility
• Coal — burnout due to complex and sustained misalignment
• Ash — death, legacy and lineage
• Sticks & Logs — personal and occupational factors that fuel or smother the flame
• Rocks — boundaries that hold and protect the flame
• Wind & Rain — environmental forces that can nurture or dampen the flame
• Embers — gifts and contributions to the world
• Smoke — signs of misalignment and impending burnout

The Burn In Model can be applied and expressed in many ways — through drawing, painting or sculpting the flame and ecosystem elements; through conversation and reflection; or by building and tending a literal fire. In this way, The Burn In Model comes alive as something that can be seen, felt and embodied.