How to Avoid That Year-End Burnout

Change Your Perspective

At some point in our lives, we have all felt that a certain job was no longer serving us and found ourselves dreading going to work. Although quitting might seem like the easiest option, before taking that major step, take a moment and see if there is any value in what you do. Instead of focusing on the bad things or all the things that have gone wrong, focus on the things you enjoy doing and focus on all the things that have gone right. Sometimes changing your outlook is what you need to avoid burnout. It’s all about having a positive mindset!

Create an Agenda

It’s easy to get overwhelmed especially when your to-do list seems never ending. Emails continuously flowing in, overdue projects dragging on, along with the normal every-day tasks can leave us feeling like there’s never enough time in the day. In these moments, it’s crucial to prioritize your activities. In medical emergencies, medical personnel take a moment to prioritize who needs the most immediate care to save lives. They call it triaging. Consider “triaging” by ranking the most pressing tasks more highly than the tasks that are less important and those that take a little longer. Determine the order in which you plan to complete them and schedule them in your calendar so that they have the same importance in your calendar as a meeting. In addition, having them on your calendar helps team members see that you’re unavailable, creating fewer interruptions in your day. Don’t be afraid to ask for assistance if you find yourself struggling to complete something on time.

Don’t Overwhelm Yourself

You don’t always have to be a “yes” person. Sometimes it may be more beneficial to be honest and say, “I’m at capacity right now”, rather than taking on another project you know you cannot complete. This is the time of year when we want to make others happy, but it’s okay to put yourself first sometimes. Let’s face it, if you cannot focus on what needs to get done because there’s too much going on at once, you will hurt the company more than you will help it, and you will impact your mental health in the process.

Prioritize Yourself

Your inability to focus may be due to you lacking in another area of your life. When you catch yourself feeling exhausted physically and mentally, take a moment and assess what this may be stemming from. Are you lacking sleep? Are you staying active? What’s your diet been like? How long do you spend using technology?

What you do after work is just as important as what you do during work. Poor sleeping habits, lack of nutrition and daily exercise, and excessive screen time have a direct impact on how you feel during your workday. If you find yourself feeling overly tired and sluggish, it may be time for a change of routine. Make use of your flexibility. If you work from home, maybe work outside for a portion of the day. Some sunlight may be good for you. Block out how much time you spend reading emails and answering phone calls, especially when you're off the clock. As a business owner, you may feel that you must be working 24/7, but you deserve “you” time, as well. So, unless there’s a real emergency, stop answering work related calls and emails after normal or extended business hours. The email will still be there when you go back to work in the morning. Pick up a book, turn on a movie, enjoy a hobby and spend some time doing something for yourself.

Connect with Others

Chances are you’re not the only one in the organization that’s stressed. Network with your team members and rely on one another for support. Having others to relate to may lead to new solutions. Brainstorm with your colleagues on what improvements can be made and how they can be implemented. Share ideas and listen to each other’s perspectives. Build a core group of people you feel safe sharing with. You never know, some of the best friendships can be made in the office. There’s no need to suffer in silence. Speak openly and be kind.

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