Top Three Ways to Address Burnout

There are many ways to address burnout. If you are tired at work, not as productive, or feel like you are on a treadmill, there are three main ways to address burnout:

1. Stop

   • It sounds simple, but it usually isn't. Most employees are burned out because they have too much to do and don't think they can do it all.

   • Review your responsibilities with your supervisor. Prioritize what you can realistically get done. Delegate to others. Stop doing lower priority tasks.

   • Rachelle was busy at work, but when Dan was assigned to a special task force, most of Dan's duties were transferred to Rachelle. She worked longer hours, and after a while started to feel stressed and overwhelmed. Rachelle had a discussion with her boss about what she could handle and what to do with the rest. The boss saved her from burnout.

    

2. Take care of yourself

   • When we get overloaded with work, most of us put in longer hours. With these additional hours, we wake up early and usually stop exercising. In the short run this is fine, but only Superman or Superwoman can keep this up for months.

   • I know that when I have lots to get done, my eating habits get worse, and I justify that I don't have time to work out. This starts a vicious cycle, of me being even more tired and therefore, I'm less productive and then I need to work longer hours.....Start seeing a pattern?

   • Get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. Eat properly - fruit, vegetables, protein and water. Exercise regularly.

    

3. Have some fun

   • Fun? Really? It may sound counter intuitive but getting away from work can help you be more productive. You can get new perspective and "fill up" your energy tank when you are doing something you enjoy.

   • Relax, smile, try something new. Visit friends, play a board game, watch a funny movie. Walk on the beach, fly a kite, volunteer.

   • One of the things I do to get away from work is to take photographs. I will take pictures of people I see at the coffee shop, or scenery along the journey. It doesn't matter - it gets me doing something I like while not thinking about work.

Take care of yourself while you can - before you burn out! Click here to read the "4 Major Causes of Burnout."

To talk more about burnout contact me at Valerie.MacLeod@HainesCentre.com

Or read my life planning book: "Get Me Off the Treadmill!"