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Keep Sizzling on the Job
Keep Sizzling on the Job
July 16, 2001
"You know how it feels when you're in the danger zone for burnout - you plod along, driven by circumstances and making mistakes that are, frankly, senseless. It isn't news, either, that when the quality of your work suffers, the whole team suffers.
However, what may have escaped your attention is how to prevent burnout. If you rely on quick fixes to revive yourself, burnout will eventually creep back into your life. Lifestyle changes will prove more beneficial.
For the long haul, try adopting these practices to strike a better balance between your energy and team commitment.
* Seek solitude.
Involve yourself in activities that have personal relevance, such as reading, exercising, listening to music or simply thinking. Most importantly, make these activities a part of everyday life - you can't count on having much time for yourself after meeting all your other commitments.
* Worry - later.
Anxiety related to deadlines and quotas eats up valuable time and energy while you work. Try to concentrate on the task at hand when your thoughts wander toward worry.
Address your anxiety later, dissecting problems and outlining steps to prevent or correct a mistake or minimize its impact.
* Don't be defensive.
Resistance to ideas and change drains energy. Identify ideas and change drains energy. Identify and accept the things in life and at work that you can't control.
* Prepare to sleep.
Try not to hit the pillow with a negative frame of mind. Fifteen minutes before bedtime, avoid watching depressing TV news or performing any tasks. By preparing to sleep, you're more likely to get to sleep and wake refreshed the next day (1999, Teamwork, p.2)."
Keep sizzling on the job. (1999,July 23). Teamwork: Your Personal Guide to Working Successfully with People.
What do you do to keep sizzling on the job?
Teamwork is available on loan from the OSU Leadership Center. A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website http://leadershipcenter.osu.edu/
Created: 2009-01-02, Updated: 2009-01-15
