HOW TO DEAL WITH BURNOUT

3. LEARN WHEN TO SAY NO TO WORK.

If you face an unrealistic workload or some other persistent problem in your workplace, discuss your situation with your employer.  Whenever possible, offer solutions that meet both your needs and those of your employer. Reassure your employer of your commitment to your work, and explain what you are willing to do; but be clear and firm about what you are not able to do.

Use foresight and be realistic. If you want to work less, your employer may expect you to accept less compensation. Anticipate risks such as the threat of a job loss, and be prepared to respond. Remember that your prospects for finding a different job are better while you are still employed.

Even when you have reached  a mutually agreeable work arrangement with your employer, you can expect to be pressured again to take on more work. What can help you to remain firm?  Keeping to the commitments that you have made. Doing so might give you leverage to ask your employer to do the same in return, including keeping your workload within the agreed limits. 

4. RENEW YOURSELF.

Even when your work is free of major problems, you may still have your share of stresses, difficult people, and unpleasant situations. So make time for sufficient rest and balanced recreation. Remember that recreation does not have to be expensive to be refreshing to you and your family. 

Cultivate interests and friendships apart from your work, and avoid defining yourself by the type and amount of work that you do. Why? The book Your Money or Your Life observes:  "Who you are is far greater than what you do for money."  If your identity and self-worth come primarily from your work, then you will find it difficult to minimize the role that work plays in your life.

Can you really make the changes needed to deal successfully  with burnout?  Yes, you can. Anil, mentioned at the beginning of this article, did so.  He says: "I contacted my former employer and asked if he would take me back, and he did. I was embarrassed to face my former coworkers after I talked about moving on to 'greener pastures."  And I took a significant cut in pay. But I gained peace of mind, and I had more time for my family and other things that I truly value."

Next time:  A JOURNEY BACK FROM BURNOUT

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