BURNOUT –

We all have responsibilities. You have a responsibility to yourself.

       If you have a family, you have a responsibility to them.      

       You have responsibility to your employer and to your community.

       If you fail to lead a balanced life and you spend too much time with one, at the expense of the others you will feel tired, suffer from stress and eventually burn out.

       Burnout can wreck havoc with your health, happiness, relationships and your job.

A Handful of Tips to reduce Burnout

* Recognise the signs

     As a section leader you need to keep an eye on your people to watch for signs of stress. When you note signs, you need to take action for the good of the person and your team.

* Here are some burnout signs

       Fatigue, low productivity, lack of motivation.

       Complaining about the job, dreading certain tasks.

       Being nervous and irritable.

       Feeling tired, physically and emotionally exhausted.

       Persistent headaches and often away sick.

       Excessive use of alcohol, drugs or coffee.

* Counselling people

       When you identify signs of stress in people seek help for them.

       Get professional counselling for people.

       Send them off for a break.

       Change their job hours. Reduce their workloads and after hour work.

       Allow flexible office hours and more working from home.

       Encourage people to have a proper diet with plenty of time for lunch.

        Provide some stress management programmes.

* Switch off – take a break!

     If it’s happening to you change your environment.

       Go away for a holiday and make time to re-plan your work habits and your lifestyle. Hiking in the mountains is a good remedy.

* When you return to work

Set new priorities.

       Learn to say “No!” “Sorry I am too busy right now – delegate those tasks to others.”

       Do only your more important tasks.

       Take regular planned breaks.

       Buy a dog and take it for walks.

       Try to make work more enjoyable – have more fun!

Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“To reduce stress, take a break, get life back in perspective and get organised.”

Source: Time-Savers, Moss Associates.Ltd  New Zealand; McGraw-Hill, Australia & Times Business Books,  a Federal Publication, Singapore and Time Management Secrets, Thomson.

#For those in need download our FREE book “NO JOB! WHAT NOW? available from our website.