Foresight of burnout?

[Sparrow]

Hindsight (experience) being 20/20... has anyone got any foresight on burnout that's practical in this day and age? Or before one approaches it?
Re-entering the job market as I would like to, there just seems to be so many pitfalls and traps. Multi-tasking and Fast-paced being very bad words to me (see burnout). Working around a stupid physical disability is one thing, but in spite of hope I still feel marginalized.
It's a real son of a gun. Could always be worse, is my consolation.

 

[Jazzey]

Hindsight (experience) being 20/20... has anyone got any foresight on burnout that's practical in this day and age? Or before one approaches it?

A lot of feelings of resentment and anger, complete disinterest in the work/task at hand (for a job that I usually love and revel in), in colleagues or even my own hobbies.

That's usually the precursor for me Sparrow. Having said that, I'm not sure that the precursors would be the same for everyone...

Jazzey added 1 Minutes and 10 Seconds later...

Sorry - I'm now realizing this may not answer your question totally: When I start feeling these things, I make it a point to step back, keep a very strict routine (regular hours; sleep; exercise; good diet etc...) - If I catch it in time, I can usually avoid the burnout.

 

[Sparrow]

Thanks Jazzey,
I am usually very vigilant in my regimen. But my inquiry is not only with foresight, but I'm looking for something very pro-active. Details aside, it is still a wild world.
BTW... Jazzey, your friend :xp ...says hello

 

[Jazzey]

Well...hello to my *disturbing friend*:xp LOL

As for being pro-active: I'll keep reading this thread - I'm guessing I could use the advice myself Sparrow! trying to find that balance "as we type":dimples:

 

[Sparrow]

Perhaps if I look in myself, I will find the answer but I still need to act.
The CBT I'm lining up for will probably support my thoughts.
But :dance:'ing around anyone mediocre has been a hobby since I was 10.
Lotsa mediocre. Gotta cut and run. Later.

 

[Jazzey]

Later Sparrow - hope you find the answers!

Have a good night.

 

[Daniel E.]

An ER physician once recommended on his blog that it's a good idea to chop wood in the winter as a way to help build endurance, which, in turn, would help for dealing with future job stress. And then he went on to show pictures of all the wood he chopped, which he then used to build shelter for winter animals. So I think the moral of that story was "that which doesn't kill me, makes me stronger."

Another perspective is that a lot of burnout is caused not by the job itself but by lack of a happy/satisfying personal life. So, in that case, "happiness is the way" or "work hard, play hard."

There is also an entire genre of books on "zen at work," but I didn't find the ones I read very helpful, at least regarding motivation. Those zen/mindfulness books are better for cooling one's jets

 

[Mari]

Re-entering the job market as I would like to

Oh dear, that is the only part of this thread that I understood. I would not even know where to begin although financially it is something I might have to consider in the new year. Good-luck Sparrow. :noidea: Mari

 

[Lana]

Hi Sparrow;

I don't think there is such a thing as a "practical burnout" out there. The only thing that comes close is that good feeling a person would get after a satisfying work-out.

As for flags indicating an approaching burnout....I think it's different for everyone. For me, things get fuzzy. It's difficult to focus, I get frazzled easily, I miss things (misreading things, or not seeing something in front of me), I find myself reacting a bit too strongly to things that normally do not evoke reaction and can be easily managed, I loose sense of time, and so on. In general, I feel like a mess.

In the past, I'd kick things up a notch and go into high gear to manage the stressors. But it caught up with me...in a bad way. Today I make time for me. I figure I'm just as important as all the tasks that I need to do and need as much, and sometimes more, time and care. I "force" myself to do an activity that I enjoy that gives me that "satisfying burnout" to balance out the negative stress.

Does this help any?

 

[ladylore]

Hey Sparrow,
Besides PTSD I am also a wheelchair user.

I am not ready to go right back into a 9-5 job but I have made significant changes so I can do more.

Some of the things that have helped me:
I know what I want out of work; my goal is to work to live, not the other way around. And to give back to society. Doing work just for the money because you need to is one way to burn out fast.

The laws now-a-days say that employers must provide reasonable accomodations. It's a topic definitely up for discussion. So what are some things you would need in the workplace - computer, flex hours...?

One of the most important thing in my eyes are boundaries. Really know what you can do and what you just can't. If it isn't in the job description talk it ove with the manager. Saying no is a good thing too because if you keep having more work piled on you won't be able to complete what you are actually hired to do.

If you can find something that you find as play you will be all the better for it as it won't zap as much of your energy.

Just a few ideas. Hope some of this helps.

 

[Daniel E.]

Doing work just for the money because you need to is one way to burn out fast.

Exactly. And sometimes the same exact job can seem more meaningful if it's for an employer you like more, like a non-profit agency.

 

[Into The Light]

i would say look back at what happened when you experienced burnout before. what things do you see that in hindsight are red flags? make a list of these and when you start to feel stressed for a longer period of time check this list to see if you are starting to have the same things coming up.

 

[Daniel E.]

BTW, as one may expect, there are a lot of books at Amazon about avoiding job hell:

Amazon.com: The Pathfinder: How to Choose or Change Your Career for a Lifetime of Satisfaction and Success: Nicholas Lore: Books

Amazon.com: Career Guide for Creative and Unconventional People (Career Guide For...): Carol Eikleberry, Richard Nelson Bolles: Books

Amazon.com: I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This: A Step-by-Step Guide to Finding Gratifying Work: Julie Jansen: Books

Amazon.com: Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type: Paul D. Tieger, Barbara Barron: Books

Amazon.com: What Color Is Your Parachute? 2009: A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and Career-Changers: Richard Nelson Bolles: Books

 

[Jazzey]

..I think you deserve a commission Daniel...LOL

And thank you - those titles are quite interesting.

 

[Daniel E.]

..I think you deserve a commission Daniel...LOL

BTW, I think PsychLinks's Amazon commission is 0.00000000000000000001% or something like that

 

[Jazzey]

....*American* company, I presume...

 

[Daniel E.]

One of the books, I Don't Know What I Want, But I Know It's Not This, gives six reasons people are unhappy with their careers:

1. Where's the meaning?
Individuals in this situation are seeking a new kind of reward and satisfaction. They may want personal fulfillment or be driven by a strong desire to help others. Bill, an engineer for 15 years, never really enjoyed his work. After being downsized by the telephone-equipment reconditioning business he worked for, Bill took some time off and became a volunteer for five different organizations. He currently earns money by working several part-time jobs. His wife volunteers for many of the same organizations, and they are both happier and having more fun than when they were earning substantially more money.

2. Been there, done that, but still need to earn.
These people are successful in their work, and while they want -- and probably need -- to keep earning at the same level, they can't conceive of staying in the same job for another 10 or 20 years. Many of them won't be able to change careers immediately, but with planning can do so eventually. Melinda, a computer-systems programmer for most of her career, was among them. She stayed where she was because she was making good money and financial responsibilities precluded her from changing. As her children grew older, she began working as a personal fitness trainer at night and on weekends. Once Melinda's life situation changed (her children grew up and she divorced her husband), she was able to launch full time into her personal-training business with established clients. Today, she's making nearly the same amount doing what she enjoys.

3. Bruised and gun-shy.
These individuals are victims of the changing workplace. They were laid off or experienced discrimination but still need to work. However, they're hesitant to rejoin the corporate world or take another career risk. Juan was laid off and then needed a bypass operation. Ambivalent about re-entering the corporate world after his surgery, he opted to become a "job-stress coach" and now has his own practice helping others deal with work-related stress.

4. Bored and plateaued.
Many people who have worked hard for years want to make a change because they're bored and seek new challenges. Deborah, 40, had spent her career in consumer-products marketing. A vice president at an elite marketing firm, she admitted being "bored to tears." The early years of her career had seemed exciting and fun but for the past four years, she had felt stagnant. She finally became so miserable she sought a new direction.

5. Yearning to be on your own.
Do you dream of being on your own or starting a company? Helen Harkness, author of "Don't Stop the Career Clock," reports that in the early nineteenth century, 80% of Americans were self-employed. By 1970, this number had fallen to 9%. But self-employment has been growing furiously: In 2000, there were 12 million small businesses in the U.S. By 2020, 25% of U.S. businesses are expected to be small, privately owned companies.

Meanwhile, the "contingency work force" -- those working temporarily on specific projects for many different companies -- has grown by 57% since 1980. These workers don't have many of the responsibilities of business ownership, yet they possess the flexibility of those who own businesses. After spending 30 years in teaching, sales and human resources, Blanche started a consulting firm. "I always knew I wanted my own business and to have my stamp on something," she says. She's having fun and hitting every goal she sets for herself and her business.

6. One toe in the retirement pool.
Baby boomers who want to semi-retire or retire from their current work fit this category. Many are asking what they should do with the years ahead. Do they change careers completely, volunteer, scale down the time they spend in their current job or retire completely? Di retired at 58 from a long career in sales because her exhausting travel schedule was affecting her health. During the first few years of her retirement, she took yoga, read books and learned how to paint in oils. Recently, she has begun conducting training seminars for a previous employer and enjoys combining retirement and part-time work.

What's Keeping You From Changing Careers

A preview of the book:
I Don't Know what I Want, But I Know ... - Google Book Search

 

[successful_workthru]

Hindsight (experience) being 20/20... has anyone got any foresight on burnout that's practical in this day and age? Or before one approaches it?
Re-entering the job market as I would like to, there just seems to be so many pitfalls and traps. Multi-tasking and Fast-paced being very bad words to me (see burnout). Working around a stupid physical disability is one thing, but in spite of hope I still feel marginalized.
It's a real son of a gun. Could always be worse, is my consolation.

Multi tasking is not natural, no body can do it.
My experience says, avoid burnout by entering the job market when ready, and retreating when it gets too much.
This is strength.
Physical disabilities are not stupid.
Colleagues with bad attitudes are.

 

[Sparrow]

Thanks everyone for your replies.
It means a great deal to me.
Thanks for cutting to the chase successful_workthru and welcome to Pcychlinks.