Overtime vs. Overkill professionaldiva.com If you are the ambitious woman I know you are working overtime is one thing that is often hard to avoid. Overtime is essential for putting the finishing touches on that killer project, for closing the deal or tying up loose administrative ends. However, a happy medium does exist when working ambitiously toward that corner office and planning for that weekend getaway. Having a non-cubical life outside of the office helps you remain positive, up beat and balanced. After all, if you can’t balance both the career and your personal life, something is too heavy and burnout is soon to follow! I Think I Have Burnout, How Can I Tell? Well if you think you are burned out, we’ve identified some common signs for you: Interpersonal Problems: When we feel drained emotionally at work, it becomes more difficult to deal with other people. We may also start to isolate ourselves from other people. We send out messages in our behavior that we are not as present or as available to others as we have been in the past. Emotional Fatigue: It is common to feel dissatisfied, angry, frustrated or depressed from time to time. When we are caught in the burnout cycle, however, these negative emotions become our predominant reactions. Low Productivity: During the burnout phase it is common for us to experience boredom with the job and a loss of enthusiasm for our projects. We may find it difficult to concentrate and harness our energy to produce the quality of work that we have in the past. Health Problems: As our emotional reserves are depleted, the quality of our relationships deteriorates and our thoughts about work become more negative, we may begin to experience physical problems. We may feel tired and run down. Some common physical symptoms include headaches, back pain, colds, insomnia, rashes or hives, chest pains or palpitations, gastrointestinal problems, and nervous tics. Sleep problems are common, ranging from restless, fitful sleep, to nightmares, to early awakening with our first thoughts on the upcoming day s work demands. Don’t Burnout, Out the Burn! Well, take a deep breath and relax for a minute! Burnout is not an all-or-nothing condition. Think of it as a season of fitting into those favorite pair of jeans after holiday feasting! Most workers suffer from some of the symptoms of job stress, if not burnout, from time to time. With careful examination of what is contributing to our stress and attending to our needs for well-being, we can usually stop burnout and revive our enthusiasm for work. Here are some tips for preventing and recovering from job burnout: Hello, My Name is Jane and I am a Stressed. When we are exposed to stress over long periods of time, we tend to deny that there is a problem. Listen to the wisdom of your body; freely admit and come to accept that you are under stress. Identify the sources of your stress and learn how you are reacting to them. Only the Lonely... Aggh! When stressed, dealing with other people is often the last thing we want to do. But a relationship with friends and family is one of the most effective ways of buffering ourselves from pressure. Closeness brings new insights and also decreases the negative effects of agitation and depression. Don’t Carry Too Many Bags . Examine those areas of your life, which involve the most intensity and eliminate these and other pressing tasks. Even after the clock, instead of heading home and preparing that five-course meal for one, two or fifteen, sit back, relax and order in. Slow and Steady Wins the Race. We can work intensely for a while, but then we need to take a break. Insert some quiet and relaxing interludes into your daily routine. Don’t Worry, Be Happy. When we feel drained emotionally at work, it becomes more difficult to deal with other people. We may also start to isolate ourselves from other people. We send out messages in our behavior that we are not as present or as available to others as we have been in the past. When our bodies are run down, we are more susceptible to burnout. Eat healthy, exercise, avoid addictive substances and get plenty of sleep. In the end if you take care of yourself, resting, spending times with loved ones and taking it all in balance, you have a wonderful chance of overcoming burnout, stress and beyond!