I just read an article about someone's totally bogus opinion of 'job burnout'.
I JUST read an article about someone’s totally bogus opinion of ‘job burnout’. It made me realise some people actually are (or think they are) ‘burned out’.
A quick search on Amazon revealed 580 books that contain the title, or address the subject of, ‘job burn out’. Yikes.
The article I read proposed a remedy of “do less and you’ll avoid burnout”. It also recommended to avoid excessive workload, don’t be overly accommodating, avoid people who drain your energy, do not overwork yourself, and then threw in ‘job disillusionment’ for good measure. In other words, ‘you’ll still hate it, but you’ll hate it less’.
Why do people claim they’re burnt out? It’s a self-inflicted thought-wound based on taking inappropriate action, the false feeling of being overwhelmed and stressed-out, having a negative work atmosphere in general, not really loving your job, not believing in what you do, and having a boss who is somewhere between a jackass and an idiot.
While burnout and stress are real, often they’re self-imposed feelings that you can overcome. Burnout manifests itself in your daily talk until it’s embedded into your psyche. Not good.
Start here: Begin your self-actualisation by asking reality based questions of yourself. Write down the answers.
Question one: Ask yourself how much you love your job?
Question two: Ask yourself what’s the best part of your job?
Question three: Ask yourself what you would rather be doing?
Question four: Ask yourself where you would rather be working that could afford you the same or better opportunity (not just money)?
Question five: Ask yourself if the grass is really greener on the other side of employment?
Being or feeling burnt-out or stressed-out is not a problem; it’s a symptom. ‘Why’ you feel you’re burnt out is the heart of the situation.
Once you ask yourself these questions, it’s time to do something positive about it. Relief begins when you identify the cause, and then continues when you create your own answers and your own truths. And change your thought pattern from burnt-out to ‘on fire’.
Action one: Write down what you believe is causing the stressful feelings.
Action two: Write down what you believe the remedy could be.
Action three: Beside each remedy, write down what you or others could be doing.
Action four: Write down the likelihood of these remedies occurring.
Action five: Write down your ideal job or career, and then write down what you have to do or learn to get there.
Decide if you are in or out. If in, rededicate yourself to personal excellence. If out, get out quickly.
Reality: Based on your present situation (family, debt, obligations) you may just have to endure it for a while, but if you have identified causes and remedies, calm begins to occur. You have it under control. You’re making decisions.
Your present circumstance has to be measured against your present situation and future hopes and dreams.
Here are a few suggestions for what will take you from burn out mode into a more positive and hopeful frame of mind.
1. Start your day with the three most important things you want to accomplish.
2. Cancel all unnecessary and time-wasting meetings.
3. Stop talking about things that don’t matter, especially other people.
4. Focus on outcome, not just task.
5. Dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to thinking by yourself.
6. Get rid of three major time wasters (attention diverters): Facebook notifications at work (unless it’s business Facebook); personal emails and personal calls; and negative water cooler chit-chat.
7. Go home from work and read instead of watch. Start with my Little Gold Book of YES! Attitude.
7.5 Review your accomplishments at the end of each day – to both praise yourself and challenge yourself. Write them down.
Re-start your personal fire. Give yourself a chance to become best at your job and your career. Never give in to self-defeat. Decide every day that you can only be your best by doing your best.
Become best, not burnt.
Jeffrey Gitomer is the author of The Little Book of Leadership, and Social BOOM! President of Charlotte-based Buy Gitomer, he gives seminars, runs annual sales meetings, and conducts Internet training programs on selling and customer service at www.trainone.com. He can be reached at 704/333-1112 or e-mail to salesman@gitomer.com
© 2012 All Rights Reserved. Don't reproduce this document without written permission from Jeffrey H. Gitomer and Buy Gitomer. 704/333-1112 www.gitomer.com.
