Tip from Slap

[Slappie 9]

Avoiding Burnout

In some ways it was a typical breakfast meeting. The waitress was pleasant, the eggs were average,
and the restaurant was full of busy people. We shared a cup of black, coffee-like substance,
and the first few times my client took a sip he managed to spill quite a bit of it. His trembling
hand was just one of the symptoms of his burnout. That's why we were meeting. He wanted to know if I could help him.

I picked up a fork and explained that as long as I used it for eating, the fork would last indefinitely.
However, if I began to use it to drive nails or dig trenches, it would soon break.
The key was to use it for what it was designed to do.

The look in his eyes told me he got it, but I still went on to say that people are like the fork.
When they do what they are not designed to do, they eventually break.

Sure enough, his MAPP showed that he was designed to work on projects where there was a definitely goal.
He derived immense satisfaction from reaching goals. He also needed to work by himself about half the time.
He was a scientist and enjoyed lab time, doing calculations, and interpreting test results.

What his job required on a day-to-day basis was another story.
His primary task was to supervise a dozen people and maintain operations.
No goals. No projects. No time alone. Consequently, his job was sucking the life out of him.

Much credit for his recovery goes to his boss who was willing to change the job content to fit the design of a valuable employee.

So how do you know if you, a loved one, or someone who reports to you is suffering from burnout?
Here are the early-warning signs.

1. chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
2. anger at those making demands
3. self-criticism for putting up with the demands
4. cynicism, negativity, and irritability
5. a sense of being besieged
6. exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things
7. frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances
8. weight loss or gain
9. sleeplessness and depression
10. shortness of breath
11. suspiciousness
12. feelings of helplessness
13. increased degree of risk taking

Fight burnout. Do what you were designed to do. What we're you designed to do?

Me I was designed as a slacker. I slack like no one else.

"Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them."

[EricaH 0]

Great advice; however

Quote

Do what you were designed to do

is much more difficult than it seems. First, figuring out what you were REALLY meant to do is VERY difficult.

Then finding this something in a position that actually supports the cost of the fun you found that you're suppose to do (skydiving) is (to me) neigh unto impossible.

However, thank you for listing the signs - I have 100% of them, great! A 28 yr old burn-out.

There is no can't. Only lack of knowledge or fear. Only you can fix your fear.

PMS #227 (just like the TV show)

[skycat 0]

29 yr old burn out here...

I flamed out about 3 weeks ago, how do I know. I went from busting ass, trying to do everything at once, to not giving a damn and just trying to survive. It really was an over night thing, I left a meeting with my stomach feeling like a hole was being burned in it, threw up all night, took the next day off cause I still wasn't feeling great (ended up having to go in a noon cause I was getting paged up the wazzo), and came to work that Friday not giving a damn.

Heck I can't go on vacation without my pager going nuts and ending up having to call in to put out a stupid fire. And just think, this possition didn't exist before February 12th and now it seems like the company can't run with out it.

Fly it like you stole it!

[happythoughts 0]

I went through some of that a while back. Trying to accomplish everything.

Instead of trying to meet the expectations of others, I now manage their expectations of me.

"I need items A, B, C, and D done by end of work today."
"I can definitely complete A and B, possibly C. D tomorrow. Which order is their priority for you?"
"I need all 4 done today."
"Not possible."

I make sure that people have reasonable expectations of me. No matter what their opinion, it will be forgotten 3 months from now.