Are your coworkers under so much pressure they’re erupting like volcanoes? Do you see the people around you turning into pessimists? Are they waiting for the overwhelming situations to just go away?
Burnout is a general erosion of the spirit. It occurs when its victims have been worn out physically and emotionally as a result of long term stress … However, burnout is also a time for deep reflection to make major changes.
10 TIPS TO KEEP THE FLAME BURNING
It took us a long time to form these negative habits, so it may take some time to make life changing choices. Are you ready?
1. Find a hobby. Talk to people that have achieved balance in their lives and find out what activities they’ve added to enrich their lives. What activities have you wanted to experience? Now is the time to discover them - not when you retire.
2. Take a class for fun.
3. Volunteer for a cause that means something to you. I hear many success stories of people receiving much more after they give their time and attention to others.
4. Eat right, exercise, and try meditating. Do these for the right reasons.
5. Rest. I don't mean hide. Your body may need some extra time to heal. So take the time, just don't use it as an excuse to stay away from others.
6. Concentrate on what is in front of your nose. If you’re taking a walk, notice what’s in front of you. If you’re at home, notice the person you’re talking to.
7. Suggest holding team meetings to discuss what everyone in the organization can do together. Are teams working together or waiting for the stress to go away?
8. Learn how to be authentic and share your thoughts with others. This tip is a real burnout buster. People who are straightforward experience less stress. Instead of wasting hours during the night thinking of what you should have said to someone, just do it. Be Direct with Respect® is a skill that is well worth learning!
9. Discover the necessity of positive humor at work and at home. Positive humor lightens the stress of impossible tasks. Humor’s not a luxury in our lives anymore, it’s become a necessity.
10. Discover what values are important to you. The qualities you consider most significant will have a tremendous impact on your life. Which ones need immediate attention? Could it be personal solitude, creativity, family, social welfare, freedom, or independence? Balance is the key to re-igniting your energy.
REIGNITE YOUR ENERGY!
Abraham Lincoln said, "People are just about as happy as they make up their minds to be."
Burnout is a time for us to look within ourselves and find what is missing in our lives. With some discipline, introspection, and change, we can rekindle our vitality and move on to more exciting times. And one last thing … make sure to enjoy the journey!
Joyce Weiss is a world renowned certified speaking professional and facilitator on employee performance and group dynamics. She’s captivated countless listeners on radio talk shows, motivated more than 50,000 people in over 500 businesses, and written for hundreds of publications. She’s the author of Full Speed Ahead and Take the Ride of Your Life! Visit JoyceWeiss.com for professional growth tools and free reports on Be direct with Respect®, team synergy, and work/life balance.