Burn-out is very much like dehydration. You don’t know you have it till it’s too late. You can blame the lack of sun or just recovering from the holiday craziness. But I can definitely say, the beginning of this year 2012, just about everyone is looking pretty crispy.
For some its a 9 to 5 that is more like a 8 to 7, others its running you own business that you have to keep doing more for less in order to stay competitive. Nevertheless, many say todays economic environment is causing burn out situations to be more the norm.
First step in preventing Burn Out is to recognize it. The following are early warning signs.
⢠Feeling tired all the time
⢠Always getting sick
⢠Detachment, feeling alone in the world
⢠Isolating yourself
⢠Taking out your frustration on others
Some might say this describes them “sometimes” but many today feel like the above signs have them wrapped up in “groundhog day.” According to an American Psychological Association Study from 2007, one third of Americans live with “extreme stress.” And this is before the stock market crashed o_O
Once you start experiencing any of the above symptoms, the best thing to do is truly address it. Burn out or not any of the above are not healthy. Its best to prevent it by:
STOP DENYING YOUR TIRED
Listen to the wisdom of your body, don’t work until the physical pain forces you into unconsciousness or suppress your tiredness with coffee.
LEARN TO SAY “NO”
Don’t attempt to do everything. You are not responsible for it all. Working till midnight will not accomplish anything other then burn out.
TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
Your body does not serve your mind, your mind does not serve the company.
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DIMINISH WORRY AND ANXIETY
Don’t think if you’re not worrying about work, you must not be very committed to it and that your boss/client will find someone who is.
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KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR
Because at the end of the day if you can’t SMILE, then your BURN-OUT.
