Protect Yourself and Your Staff From Burnout
burn·out (bûrn’-aut) n. Exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration. — Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002
But you don't need a dictionary definition to know what burnout is. You're gainfully employed. You own a company or are pulling down a salary. You put a lot into your work and oftentimes the symptoms of burnout are the cost of caring about the quality of that work. Another thing the dictionary definition doesn't explain is that the symptoms of burnout can be quite disabling. Even painful. And that about one-in-three of us, maybe more, suffer from burnout of one form or another. Not only is that painful, it can be expensive. Consumers, in general, have more options today, more demands on their time and are more sophisticated than ever before in history. Consequently, they have higher expectations than at any time in history. And guess what? Those high expectations are often projected in ways that can bring you to your knees. The bottom line is: burnout is pervasive and enormously destructive in the workplace. Besides the costs to the back end of your businesses, which can include absenteeism, decreased productivity, turnover and direct medical and insurance fees, consider the cost of poor customer service. Ughh! So, how do you know if you are suffering from burnout? Here is a listing of the warning signs published by experts: - Fatigue
- Irritability
- Crying jags
- Anxiety attacks
- Weight loss/gain
- Teeth grinding
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Forgetfulness
- Low productivity
- Inability to concentrate
The experts also said that those symptoms can lead to these: - Headaches
- Cynicism
- Isolation
- Feelings of emptiness
- Absenteeism
- And a host of other debilitating afflictions
On the Road to Burnout Research shows that the road to burnout is actually quite complex. It's generally not a single factor, such as a heavy workload, that will push an employee to the breaking point. No, it’s a more colorful combination of factors such as little control, too many constraints or even other burnt out people. Here are some other factors that put us on the road to burnout: - Our inability to say “no” to demands on our time and energy
- Assuming added responsibilities when we're already working at our capacity
- Consistently sacrificing our personal lives for work
- Regularly suppressing our emotions
- Routine criticism – from ourselves or others
The Best Are the Ones Who Fry Typically, people at the highest risk of burnout include those who can be described as hard-working, highly-driven overachievers. Burnout is also prevalent among those whose jobs deal with others' expectations. That should cover us all. What to Do About Burnout? Stop it before it starts, of course. Experts advise us to set internal and external boundaries in order to protect ourselves. External boundaries help you know when to say “no.” They are like the guardian angels of the weekend. They keep us from obsessing about our work or going into the office during off time. They make sure we take a lunch. They separate our work and private lives. Our internal boundaries are like our personal trainers. They get us to the gym on time, make sure we eat right and send us to bed early. Other Methods of Controlling Stress At the risk of sounding like a health reporter, here are other methods for controlling stress as defined by the National Institute of Mental Health. - Know your limits: Try not to accept the parts you cannot control-or at least take them personally.
- Relax: Find something that gives you genuine pleasure and that is good for your mental and physical well-being.
- Share the load: Talking to someone close helps provide a different perspective on concerns.
- Make time for fun: Play is important for your creativity.
- Create a quiet scene: Create a sense of peace around you.
- Check off tasks: Make a prioritized list and take pleasure in slashing through each item as you complete it.
- Sweat: Yoga, Safari hunting, speed golf, gardening, whatever it takes.
- Take care of yourself: Live healthy.
- Don't be so stubborn: Is being right so important? All of the time? Reduce strain by cooperating instead of forcing things to be done your way.
If You're a Manager Being gainfully employed doesn't have to be a surefire way to have a heart attack. There are things you can do to help protect your staff from burnout and help them to feel more confident and appreciated. Empower Your Employees With Some Authority If you've done your job right, you have employees you can trust to do their jobs right. Give them some leeway. They are going to have to make decisions. You can't plan for everything. Don't second guess them. This is tough work. If you make it tougher you may end up doing it yourself. Involve Your Employees in Company Changes that Will Affect Them If you're considering making changes to your policies, make certain that every employee knows them and follows them closely. Otherwise, people will work against each other. You can't just say, "This is the flavor of the week," and expect your staff to feel empowered. You have to ingrain in your corporate culture that it is truly the responsibility of each employee to be able to do these things and in return they are supported by their employer. Invest in Your Staff With a Member-Service Training Program Training your staff will not only help to make your business practices better, it will also send the message that you care about their professional development. There is a direct correlation between the brands that are known for good service and the training programs they take advantage of. The bottom line is that burnout is an easy disease to catch, but it can be avoided and dealt with. Being in control of one's own choices is a big deal, so take control and give control everywhere you can. Take advantage of the word “no,” and come out from under the paperwork on your desk. Regain your perspective and find a better balance in your life. | 
