EXTINGUISH
BURNOUT - Love Life and Live Life Again
You have a duty
to yourself, your team, your clients, and your family to
have your life in some semblance of balance!! I believe
that!
If you're experiencing burnout, for whatever reason, you
need to pay attention to extinguishing that burnout.
Sometimes it's difficult to extinguish burnout on your own.
I would be very interested in exploring my involvement in
working with you and/or your team to examine your burnout
status and help inspire/motivate you to extinguish burnout
in your firm.
The following 'burnout test' is from Barbara Moses, Ph.D.,
in an article you can find on her web site:
http://www.bbmcareerdev.com/booksarticles_articl es_
detail.php?article=24
The burnout test
Are you experiencing burnout? If you answer "yes" to two or
more questions, it is likely you are:
Have your sleep patterns changed -- you can barely open your
eyes in the morning or have trouble falling or staying
asleep?
Are you easily distracted, or do you find it difficult to
concentrate?
Do things that used to matter to you no longer interest you?
Do you find yourself saying "whatever" instead of rallying
the energy to deal with a problem?
Do you lack the energy to do the kinds of things that would
help you cope with burnout, such as exercising?
Do you dread going to work?
Do you find it difficult to summon enthusiasm for any task
you are given?
Are you depressed?
Do you feel you don't have much to look forward to?
Do you find little in your life to energize yourself or give
your life meaning?
Are you tired or apathetic?
Would people close to you describe you as moody or grouchy?
Extinguishing burnout
Here are some strategies to overcome burnout:
Drill down. Identify the cause. Is it overwork? Lack
of interest in what you are doing? A value conflict? A fear
of failing to deliver at a high-enough level?
Know what is most important to you. You can have it all -- but you can't have
it all at once. Invest in the activities that give your life
meaning.
Get support.
Talk to friends or a professional. Research shows that one
of the most important differentiators between those who burn
out and those who don't is the availability of a support
network.
Do something novel. It may seem counterintuitive, but you can often reinvigorate
yourself by introducing something new into your life,
especially if you are overworked but under-stimulated.
Be realistic. You are not superhuman. You can't respond to everyone's needs.
Focus on what is most important and let other things slide.
Don't be a hero.
Don't overestimate your own importance, or the negative
consequences of not doing something.
Be assertive. Learn how to say no. If you are dealing
with work overload, say: "I am happy to do that, but will
have to give up something in order to do so. What are your
priorities?"
Reflect on your accomplishments. This not only will boost your sense of competence but
will prove to you that you are accomplishing more than you
thought.
Be kind to yourself.
It may mean a weekly manicure, golf game or regular card game.
But take note: A vacation will provide only a temporary
reprieve. According to a recent study, you will start to
lose the "vacation" benefits within three days, and be back
to the way you were before the vacation within a few weeks.
If you or your team members are experiencing burnout, I hope
you will take steps to help yourself to love life and live
life again - to its fullest!
Best regards,
Debra Dowdell
Debra@PowerYourPractice.com
Bus: 905-951-9773
Toll-free: 1-888-272-2735
www.pow eryourpractice.com
Debra Dowdell
Power Your Practice© 2007
Power Your Practice does not warrant or guarantee the
accuracy of any statement or other information and materials
provided in this newsletter. All articles and other
information and materials in this newsletter are provided
for general information purposes only.
