Remember, staying productive at work is essential. Still, it's equally important to take care of yourself by taking breaks and listening to what your mind, body, and spirit need. Be gentle with yourself and prioritize your well-being. Learn to find joy in what you do!
We don't aim to experience burnout; instead, we strive to develop machine-like efficiency. If this pursuit of efficiency becomes unchecked, it can slowly lead to burnout. The pressure to stay efficient can push us to overextend ourselves until we feel like we are running on fumes.
The 11th Revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) classifies burnout as an occupational phenomenon, not a medical condition. It results from unmanaged chronic workplace stress, causing exhaustion, cynicism about work, and decreased job performance.
The use of the word "chronic" indicates that burnout is persistent and accumulative, meaning it is not sudden or without warning. Burnout causes emotional exhaustion, cognitive impairment, physical symptoms, and behavioral changes, all of which lower our ability to function at our best.
Mentally checking out, the cognitive aspect of burnout, reminds me of the line from The O'Jays' hit song "Your body is here with me, but your mind is on the other side of town." When burnout begins to develop gradually, many people don't realize they are heading toward it and overlook the warning signs. They are mentally disengaged from work, even though they are physically present. Burnout impacts productivity, causes missed deadlines, and can lead to irritability with coworkers.
It's possible to slow down the gradual process of burnout and improve productivity:
Try prioritizing your tasks with a simple rating system. For example, use a 3-point scale: 3 for high priority, 2 for medium, and 1 for low. This way, you can focus on the most critical tasks first.
Remember to take regular scheduled breaks, they're a great chance to refresh your mind and body.
Set clear, achievable goals, and create a timeline to complete each one. Breaking goals into smaller steps makes them less overwhelming.
Consider using time blocking, where you assign specific times to focus on tasks, like tackling your work in the morning when you feel most alert.
By being strategic about how you manage your time and efforts, you can avoid burnout and stay productive with a positive and balanced approach.
The Mental Health Space. Empowering Minds. Inspiring Lives.
Add comment
Comments