I’m keeping this one short and sweet: I’m sick of feeling overwhelmed, and I certainly don’t want to burnout in 2016.
It holds me back, it makes me procrastinate, it makes me hesitate, and I don’t like it.
I’m taking a stand, because I’m pretty sure you don’t want to feel overwhelmed either! #nomoreburnout
When I’m on fire, I feel like I can do anything. I love that feeling – it’s addictive. I’m productive, I’m healthy, I’m happy – my three main values (and when I’m happy, my family knows it and loves it: value #4), but I have to be able to sustain it. It’s like the analogy with the sprinter and the marathon runner: the sprinter can only go hard for so long before they’re worn out, but the marathon runner paces it, and lasts the distance.
It’s OK to be a sprinter – but there needs to be recovery time factored in.
Which brings me to #1 in my list of 7 Ways to Manage Burnout in 2016
#1 Of course you can work hard, but you need rest too. Take a break after a big project, or a launch, and take time out to recover.
#2 Learn to read your signs of overwhelm and burnout. If you’re like me and start to get grumpy and needing ‘me-time’, then you probably need ‘me-time’! If you get headaches when you’re stressed, read the signs and take care early, before you get really sick, or unable to work.
#3 Schedule in planning and review time weekly
Taking a bird’s eye view of your week can be key in managing your sense of burn out and stress. You can quickly see where there are busy times, or quieter times where you can catch up if you need them. If you don’t have this knowledge, and have to add extra things to your schedule, you’ll know exactly when you have time, and when you don’t – much less stressful than not knowing and panicking.
#4 Set clear boundaries
Set work hours and home hours, family time and screen free time – and stick to them. Your brain needs to turn off, so that it can turn on again, so giving it a break is actually more productive than working 24/7. #yesitstrue
#5 Don’t keep everything in your head
Once you have ideas, notes, dates, tips recorded somewhere instead of in your head, it is free to create/ produce/ provide your service. The ideas etc can then be filed or put away for when you need them instead of hovering in your mind, mostly at night when you’re trying to go to sleep.
#6 Talking about sleep – try not to work late. Getting to bed at a reasonable time is the #1 thing you can do for your physical health and mental health. You will be able to focus better, and be more productive in the morning.
#7 Exercise
Moving your body also allows your brain to relax and recharge. (That’s why I have all of my great ideas when I’m out walking or in the shower). It will help you focus, help you sleep, help you take time out and get clarity again. I guarantee you will be more productive in the 30 minutes after exercise than in a whole morning.
Your Next Step
If you want some support to help fast track your business organisation, then book a Clarity Callwith me so we can determine where to start, and what you need to get up and running with your workflows and systems.
Aerlie Wildy is a Business Efficiency Consultant based in the Adelaide Hills. I specialise in designing and systemising business for growth. You can connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, check out my Youtube Channel or Pin with me on Pinterest.
