Dealing with the Risks of Job Burnout

Are you headed for burnout?  You may be if you lack support, challenge, autonomy, variety, security or flexibility in your job.  Burn outs eat away at victims their intellect, feelings, relationships, and spirit.

Ironically, burn outs are often successful in their fields; that's what burns them out.  Some bright women and men work hard, make tremendous sacrifices, soar to the top of their fields, then seem to run out of fuel.  Fortunately, burnout is preventable, and treatable, and can be a catalyst for growth.

Many executives stay healthy because they're committed, challenged, have control over their destinies and feel supported by others.  They strive on adversity, and have learned to use stress as a source of energy that helps them get things done and feel good about their accomplishments.  Stress can be valuable if it's managed wisely.  Experts shares the following tips to fight stress:

• Realize that you don't always have to prove anything or excel over others.
• Respect yourself.  Engage in positive self-talk.  Tell yourself, you're ok just as you are  or you're human and you'll make mistakes.
• Keep problems in perspective.  Mistakes and even outright failures can be a learning experiences.  Accept responsibility for your actions.
• Listen your inner self.  Pay attention to your dreams, sorrows, and beliefs.  Each day, listen to yourself, even for five minutes.
• Smell the roses.  Enjoy small pleasures such as walking in the park or watch the sun sets.
• Add spice to your life.  Try doing something different occasionally.  What's unusual depends on each person.  You might try having a costume party, or playing a game you enjoyed as a child.
• Eat well.  Include lots of fresh fruits, vegetable and grains in your diet.  Stay away on sugar, coffee, sweetened soda and alcohol.
• Rest.  Leave your worries outside of the bedroom and try to sleep at least seven hours every night.
• Have a positive outlook.  See the glass half full instead of half empty.  Reinforce the positive in yourself and others.
• Get away from it all.  Have other interests besides work.  Make family, leisure fun.
• Develop support systems.  This can be built from a variety of people including work associates, club members.  Take about frustrations to trust individuals.
• Seek professional advice.  If you can't manage on your own, seek help from a reputable mental health professional.

Resource:

Kanchier, Carol. "Dealing With Risks of Job Burnout."  Woman's home companion 8 Mar 00