Here are seven "Tips for Avoiding Burnout" at work from Business Week:
- Set priorities. 80/20 rule.
- Be flexible. Leave yourself time to adjust to unforeseen events.
- Build in buffers. When mapping out your day, give yourself a breather between different activities.
- Stay in touch. Technology offers the flexibility to manage schedules around family events and vice versa. Don't forget: there's always an off button.
- Practice active screening. Use technology to screen your calls and emails.
- Understand the limits of technology. Face time still matters, both in the office and at home.
- Fuel your creativity. Run a marathon, learn how to cook, listen to music.
My thoughts/comments:
- My current job has a moderate level of time commitment/intensity which, believe it or not, is way down from where I've been in the past. I get in early, work through most lunches, and take my laptop home quite often. However I am almost always gone by 5 pm (allowing me to eat with the family) and rarely have to come in on weekends.
- You can become overloaded with personal projects as well. I'm currently assistant coach for two soccer teams, managing a major program at church, planning for an overseas trip and attending a once-a-week book discussion group. Combine this with my wife's commitments and we have something going on almost every night. It's too much.
- I do make time to unwind a bit. Growing roses and cycling are my side hobbies. My wife enjoys the first one tremendously. ;-)
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