Ross Shafer for the Relevant Report. Today, I want to talk about how to conquer burnout…in your job or career. If you’re feeling burned out at work it is probably because you’re being asked to work ridiculous hours – nights – weekends – holidays – and every day you come home exhausted; virtually paralyzed to do anything else. You may even like what you do but the pressure to do your job well is unrelenting. The demands on your time – and brain never let up. So what can you do about it? Some “experts” will say, go to the gym – go to a movie – go for a long walk – buy an ice cream cone. Don’t do that! Those are only temporary distractions that fade away when you have to get back into the hamster wheel, tomorrow.
Look, I’ve reinvented myself many times because I was able to conquer my burnout periods. Let me tell you what works for me.
First, stop complaining to yourself and everyone else about how tired you are. Stop blaming the boss for being an unfair taskmaster. When you do that, you’re prolonging the misery and stealing more energy from yourself.
Second, even when you’re bone-tired, don’t plop down in front of the TV to veg out. Instead, invest one extra hour a day to chase a dream – or explore an idea you’ve that never had time for. That will turn out to be your most productive hour because you’re taking charge of your burnout. You’re daring to divert your focus and energy into YOUR idea…YOUR dream. Going after pursuits you love – big ideas that may obsess you – keeps your mind alive and kills burnout. I know a man who used that hour to get his real estate license. A woman I know started a weekend dog sitting business. One of our neighbors got an MBA online so he could switch careers.
Third, every day, write down the progress you’ve made toward your idea. Give yourself a deadline to accomplish something related to your dream. If your hands don’t write it down, your brain won’t think it’s real. Working on your ideas every day, even when you’re tired, will grant reality to your dreams and reenergize you from the burnout you’re experiencing at work. Best of all, as your idea or dream becomes real, you’ll discover you’ve created options for yourself; which may even open up a totally new career path for you.
Seriously, what would happen if you DON’T get control of your burnout? Oh yeah, you’ll get to keep the same stress you have now. You may lose good friendships. Your sunken moods could destroy your marriage. And you will subject yourself to countless medical problems. This is Ross Shafer for the Relevant Report; urging you to find that hour!