i had originally had another post planned for today [trying to be all offish and have a content calendar and everything] but one of the perks to not really having anyone to answer to with this blog is that i get to write on what speaks to and resonates with me. i read the everygirl every day. no, like, literally every day. i have since it began. i read this article yesterday, and it spoke to me. you see, i’m very lucky that in my current role, i very rarely get close to burnout. i’m able to keep things from getting to a fever pitch, and really truly enjoy my job. i am in one of the busiest seasons of my career right now [at least time of year], and it seems like i’m drinking from a firehouse. there are a few things i do on a regular basis to keep myself from burnout, and a few things i do when i’m starting to experience it. i wanted to share some of them with you, in case you find yourself in a similar situation to me:
self care! you guys know i talk about how i dedicate sundays to really getting ready for the week. this is monumental for me to starting my week off on the right foot. if i walk into work on monday and feel like i can tackle the week, and actually look forward to working [no #sundayscaries here], then i am in a gratitude mindset. being in that mindset makes me grateful for my job, and really minimizes that feeling of potential burnout [and impending doom, ya know]
systems and lists. i feel burnt out when i feel out of control. how do i combat that? i have a system and i have lists. my system involves writing down the frog i want to eat when i arrive at work the next morning [read more on that here!], as well as all of the other non-negotiables i have. i then have recurring lists of projects, items, and follow up that needs to happen throughout the day/week/month. my list is a living, breathing document. from a system standpoint, i have a really set morning routine, down to the number of alarms i set [17!], my workout, how long it takes me to get ready, etc. this allows for some structure in my day so when other things are out of my control, i am able to allow for it.
i don’t unplug, but i set boundaries. i’m not in a place in my career right now where i can 100% unplug, but i feel like i can set boundaries on when i am available to answer questions/emails/calls and when i’m not. this helps to set expectations for both my coworkers and the people outside of my organization that i work with. by doing so, i give myself the freedom to have time throughout the day [typically evening] when i don’t feel guilty or anxious for not checking my email. this has been especially helpful as i became a mom, and my time in the evening is precious. those are the times i want to 100% focus on my family, and i feel like by doing so it rejuvenates me and gets me to a more balanced place.
i ask for help. this one is really hard for me, since i hate admitting any weakness, but whether that means communicating that my workload has dramatically increased, or that i need someone to pitch in with logan, i’ve become better at asking for help when i need it. it also allows me to verbalize the stress i’m under without letting it build and build until i become totally burnt out.