If you’re a leader, then you should worry about burnout. It’s likely taking a toll on you and your team. For years, we’ve known it exists but had a hard time describing. And sometimes, we may not have talked about burnout because it seemed like a sign of weakness, rather than an actual problem.
Now, the World Health Organization had changed the game. It recently added burnout as a diagnosable condition.
According to the World Health Organization: Burnout is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It is characterized by three dimensions:
- Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
- Increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job
- Reduced professional efficacy.
The potential growth and success of an organization can be undermined by burnout. And a disengaged workforce will create employee retention issues.
While we can’t remove this challenge from the workplace, we can create habits designed to keep us from overworking. Let’s talk about three smart strategies:
Worry About Burnout When Lengthening Your Day
Some employees fall into the trap of trying to get more done by avoiding coworker distractions. This sees you come in early, stay late, and work through lunch. You’re avoiding people who will distract you.
Yes, you get more done but over time you’ll see diminishing returns. Those extra hours and minutes start to add up in mental mileage and before long, your effectiveness falls.
Use this strategy for only short periods of time.
Worry About Burnout When Accepting Requests
While you may need to help out colleagues, make sure most of your time is spent on your most important tasks. Some tasks, while fun or important to someone else, take up a lot of your time and don’t add to your bottom line.
I’m not saying to ignore these requests but you may not want to drop everything to complete them. Can they be done at a later time? Don’t be afraid to ask, as you may be creating urgency where it doesn’t exist.
Also, make sure your supervisor understands that if you’re to take on Task B, then Task A will be delayed. This statement isn’t a sign of a weakness. There are only so many productive hours in the day and they need to be spent wisely.
Worry About Burnout on Your Calendar
An online calendar gives others an opportunity to monopolize your day. Before you know it, you’re rushing from one meeting to the next, with little time to focus on your work.
This is not necessarily done with malicious intent. People have seen you have open time and have taken it.
But while the calendar says it’s open, it may not be free time for you.
Consider blocking off some time, on your calendar, that’s just for you. It’s your chance to catch up on things or make progress on projects.
Sometimes, you may have to sacrifice this time for others but then make sure you reschedule it at a later time.
