Some people say I’m a workaholic…
I often do whatever it takes to get a project done or a client site shipped on time – at times, this involves a schedule full of 12-hour days, too-early meetings, or copious quantities of caffeine.
It’s not uncommon to see me online well past 11pm, only to see me still start work at 7 the next day.
Ironically, I’m usually the one telling my coworkers to call it a night and take a break.
Am I Burned Out?
When I pull more than one 10-hour day in a week, I feel pretty much useless. I’m less jovial in meetings, more abrupt over email, and just generally slower when it comes to output and productivity.
I can tell when I’m approaching burnout. I feel myself moving slower. I feel myself thinking slower. It’s almost as frustrating as whatever it was that got me in that position in the first place.
Can you tell when you’re reaching burnout?
Recovery
When I detect burnout, I stop. I take a break. I put work out of my head for a few hours (or days) and take some “me” time to recover.
I have things I do every day to help recover a bit for the next day. Yes, every single day.
I read in the evenings before bed. I talk to my wife about things that bother me (and her) and we pray about them together. I write a blog post in the morning.
I also have things I do each week to help keep me going. One night a week, I have a standing appointment with some of my best friends – and we play board games.
Taking time to be away from work, with people I care about, doing something that lets my brain heal from the onslaught it receives during the day is therapeutic.
I highly recommend that you also come up with daily/weekly/monthly relaxation techniques, too. It will keep you fresh and help keep things going.
