Are you someone who wants to achieve the best possible results in the workplace yet still maintain a positive work-life balance? Look no further, this read is just for you.
Statistics show that even when employees work more, only 12% of the leaders have full confidence that their team is productive, this is a sad reality considering that burnout has hit record levels over the past two years. If companies continue this rat race, employees will be less productive over time, and more stressed. Mental health issues are already skyrocketing.
Now that the holidays are over and reality is setting back in, you may be rethinking your relationship with work. Whether you love or loathe your current gig, it always helps to fine tune how you approach work to avoid burnout.
In this article I will cover some great tips to help you achieve more with less and avoid the dreaded BURNOUT that has devastated the lives of many.
Accomplishing more with less:
Start fewer projects and close more
It is difficult to focus when you are involved in several projects at the same time. By doing one or two projects simultaneously, you can focus your energy on finishing them and avoid overproducing. Therefore, your lead time on projects will be reduced and your parking lot will be free of unfinished work.
Multitask less and focus more
In order to accomplish several tasks at once, multitasking seems like a very productive approach. However, multitasking increases your workload and reduces your productivity. Shifting from task to another can take up to as much as 30 minutes therefore the less shifting you do the more you can actually accomplish. Time management is key to staying focused.
Buy less use more
Material that you don’t use takes up so much time, money, and space. The 3Rs of waste management are reducing, reusing, and recycling, which help not only keep your space clean, but also help the environment keep as much waste out as possible.
Hide less and collaborate more
Working with others is a great way to achieve more. When you share resources, ideas and knowledge you produce more results.
Stress less and thank more
Stress and burnout often occur when someone is feeling anxious about the future or depressed about past experiences. In this life you cannot predict the future or change the past. The best you can do is remind yourself where you are right now and be thankful for this moment as life is not guaranteed for anyone. Focus your attention on the possibility of what you can still do and achieve. Create a set of positive reminders to go over when you feel negativity and stress creeping in.
Focus less on results and more on progress
Society’s extreme focus on results is harmful to mental health. Unrealistic expectations and comparisons trick our minds in very unproductive ways. Instead, focus more on what you can control and your progress. Spend less time finding why unrealistic goals are not met and rather find ways to support and celebrate your progress because you know you are doing your best.
Ways to feel better in your workspace and avoid burnout:
Develop a game plan to combat โSunday Scariesโ
Itโs been said that a Sunday well spent brings a week of content, but if you hate your job then Sunday can turn into a day full of dread. Dr. Anisha Patel-Dunn, a psychiatrist and chief medical officer, suggests making a game plan to help ease yourself into the work week, whether thatโs investing in quality alone time or prioritizing a mindfulness routine.
Find ways to unplug
Constantly being connected can lead to burnout. To reduce its impact, consider deleting email apps and checking messages through a browser, or turn off notifications. Set boundaries and take breaks to manage technology use.
Make technology work for you
If MS Teams is the main communication tool at work, use it effectively by setting a notification schedule and using the status update function to communicate availability. This can reduce pressure to be constantly available and help manage expectations for response times.
Schedule microbreaks
Research suggests that 10-minute microbreaks improve work energy and well-being, leading to better job performance.
Set yourself (and your space) up for success
A comfortable home office supports physical health and boosts productivity. Doctors patients reported increased neck and back pain among other musculoskeletal issues since they began staying at home. To create a comfortable home office, adjust the computer screen to eye level and replace a dining room chair with one that supports the lower back.
Have lunch with a friend / loved one
Sharing a meal with someone you care about, such as a loved one or work friend, can lower stress, improve workday and lead to healthier choices.
By following these tips, you can get more out of what you have and be more efficient in your personal and professional life, this will ensure that you are headed in the right direction to improve your work experience and ultimately avoid the dreaded BURNOUT. Make 2023 the best one yet!
Sources: Forbes, 2023 and Fortune Well, 2023.
