The holidays are rapidly approaching and 2019 will be here before you know it. Some offices may seem pretty barren in the coming weeks with their employees taking up the last of their remaining PTO days and holiday travel. Although this time of year can be considered a slow period for some, it is also a time of year where people are scrambling and stressed about meeting deadlines and getting everything together to begin the new year on the right foot.
Even though this is the time of year typically associated with holiday cheer, it is also very common to become burnt out. Feelings of burnout are not limited to working professionals. College students around the nation are stressed as finals rapidly approach and are trying to figure out ways to study for a full course load of final exams and can become burnt out as a result. While we stress the importance of hard work, the long hours are worth it in the end if you can enjoy yourself throughout the process.
People tend to burnout far too quickly, especially when just starting out in a career. While proving yourself and putting in the hours are essentially expected, the recipe for a successful career includes a combination of stamina and patience. Just as the fable of the Tortoise and the Hare, slow and steady wins the race. You don’t want to start off strong and fizzle out as a result of being overworked, but rather maintain consistent performance throughout the duration of your career. That’s not to say you won’t experience the peaks and valleys associated with the day-to-day grind, but figuring out the right combination will prove to be worth it in the end.
In an article for Forbes, Jessica Desjardins provides three tips for avoiding career burnout. Check them out below:
Own Your Calendar
Whether you have taken your calendar to the digital world (iPhone, Outlook, Google Calendar, etc.) or have stuck with the tried and true pen and paper method, being wary of your schedule will help you achieve mindfulness. In addition to owning your calendar, developing the ability to say “no” will help you alleviate some of the stress on your plate. According to Desjardins, “Your time is yours to give, not theirs to take.”
Prioritize
Regardless of where you are at in your career, being able to prioritize tasks is a skill that you must develop. The quickest way to become burnt out is letting things pile up and not getting things done. One way to avoid this is to plan ahead and evaluate what the most impactful tasks you need to get done are. Additionally, creating a to-do list will help you visualize what needs to get done and crossing items off that list gives you a sense of accomplishment.
Know How To Recharge – And Quickly
When you become stressed you might fall into a funk which will affect your performance at work. It is important to figure out how to recharge and get your mind right. This is why establishing a healthy work-life balance is essential.
If you’re going through a busy season at work, chances are your free time is limited. What you do with this limited free time is important and you must use it on activities that help you recharge quickly. These activities can vary from person to person, so find what works for you and do it.
Wrap Up
There is nothing wrong with being a hard worker, but there is a time and place when we all need to take a step back and recharge. If you feel like you’re approaching burnout, consider these three tips to avoid it and come back to work reinvigorated.
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