Dr. Nancy O'Reilly

How To Douse Burnout

Ignition of match, with smoke on blackLook at the list below of symptoms of burnout.

If you can check four or more, you may be experiencing burnout. Is it time to make some changes so you can return to enjoying your life?

Really, life is way to short not to!

Here Are Some Symptoms of Burnout

  1. Forgetting things (What 10 o’clock appointment?)
  2. Unusual fatigue (Can’t I go home yet?)
  3. Insomnia (Watching old movies at 3 am.)
  4. Changes in appetite (Ravenous, or nothing looks good)
  5. Changes in behavior and mood (Leave me alone or I’ll kill you!)
  6. Grumpiness (Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr)
  7. Getting sick a lot (My eighth cold this month.)
  8. Withdrawal from others (Get away from me!)
  9. Anxiety and worry (Now what’s wrong?)

Do These Things To Fire Yourself Up Again

Balance Your Lifestyle!

  • Nobody’s perfect – why expect or demand that of yourself?
  • Nobody’s perfect – why expect or demand that of someone else?
  • Use your unique strengths to cope (you know what they are!)
  • Take up a hobby or something you enjoy.
  • Don’t let one aspect of life dominate the others.
  • Out of time? Cross off something you don’t enjoy and let someone else do it (they just might enjoy it.)
  • Use what you know.

Create Support Systems

It’s tough feeling alone, especially in the middle of a group of busy people.

  • Find people you can talk to
  • Find a place or activity that`s stress-free
  • Share something with someone
  • Join a professional organization or socialize with people in your field who work for a different employer
  • Become a mentor or resource for someone

Gain Control Over What You Can & Let Go Of What You Can’t

Believe it or not, you’re not indispensable

  • Try to see opportunities instead of problems
  • Review your career goals
  • Do what you love, and you`ll love what you do
  • Are you working just to work?

Work Smarter, Not Harder

Eighty hour weeks don’t yield twice as much output

  • Find a better way to do the job rather that just doing more of the same
  • Schedule your days (and weeks, months, years) and work your plan
  • Adjust your schedule with flex-time, job-sharing or taking a new job
  • Find a mentor you respect

IF YOU DO NOTHING ELSE, REMEMBER TO TAKE TIME TO ENJOY YOURSELF