Avoiding Burnout
Drew works 24 hour shifts. When he does get off work his mind races. Forget about sleep. That remains disrupted. On his mind are the unfinished work tasks that didn’t get done, again. And the argument with his coworker over something trivial. He can’t even remember what he was so mad about. His relationship with his wife is strained and his children feel he does not make time for them. He can’t remember the last time he had a vacation. Sound familiar?
In the last blog, I addressed the warning signs and causes of burnout. Today, let’s review the consequences of burnout and how to best avoid it.
Consequences of Burnout
- Loss of productivity
- Reduced creativity
- Excuses for missed days of work
- Poor well-being
- Impacts to relationships with family and friends
Long-Term strategies to Avoid Burnout
- Re-discover your purpose (how does your work impact others?)
- Do a task analysis (what is expected of you and what isn’t?)
- Practice small acts of kindness to others
- Manage your time effectively. Create a priority list, to do list, action plan, and a goal.
- Exercise regularly
- Get a good night’s sleep
- Manage your stress. Meditate, breathe deeply, relax, think positively.
For additional resources check outhttps://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/avoiding-burnout.htm
If you are unsure how to repurpose your life, establish boundaries for a better work-life balance, or need support to manage life stress, contact me at SHCS.