5 Simple Things You Can Do To Beat Workplace Burnout

#5: Learn How to Walk Away

The person who can’t leave work at work is a trope in every film and book out there. While dedication to your job is important, it shouldn’t become your life. Hang up the day’s work with your hard hat, or lock it in the drawer with the blue pencil. Stressing about the job when you’re not on site isn’t going to make it get done any faster, and recharging your batteries for the evening without thinking about the job is just the thing to help you come back with a clear head and the focused drive you need.

#4: Do Something You Love

This advice shouldn’t be confused with the old saying of “get a career that fulfills you.” If you can do then that’s great, but if you’re dealing with job stress then you need to take some time just for you and do something that makes you feel good. Go on a fishing trip, see a play, go for a hike, or whatever activity it is that lets you unwind. It might be as simple as taking an hour to paint in your garage or working on your hobby car, but the time you spend on something you love can help you feel a lot better. After a day of putting up frames, poring over drawings, or trying to analyze a problem with local officials it helps to do something you want to do.

#3: Communicate With The People You Work With

One of the major risks for burnout is lack of certainty about where one stands. Is the project going as anticipated? Is the boss mad at you? Instead of stewing on these questions it’s a good idea to have a regular meeting’s to make sure everyone’s on the same page. It’s amazing the peace of mind a simple, “You’re doing a great job, keep it up,” can do to help reduce the risk of burnout when it comes from a superior.

#2: Focus On The Things You Like

Burnout can make every aspect of your job seem awful, which is why it’s important to remind yourself of the things you like. Do you enjoy plotting out the design of a new building before working out the details of stresses and physics? Do you like the satisfaction of feeling knowing that your work is going to be part of structure that will endure? Do you feel good about your job when you realize you’re protecting wildlife? Focus on the positive aspects of your career, and you’ll be better able to deal with the negatives.

#1: Eliminate Sources of Stress (When You Can)

Job burnout is caused by stress that goes on and on until the stress outweighs any other aspect of the job. So the best thing you can do to beat your burnout is to identify your sources of stress and eliminate them whenever possible. Is your schedule at a bad time for you? Do you have a co-worker you just can’t deal with? Do you need some time off to handle your personal life? While you can’t always make a source of stress go away, sometimes it is within your power to request changes. Ask to work a different shift, try and explain to your co-worker what he or she is doing that’s adding to your stress, or see if you can leave the job a little early for the weekend to handle your personal affairs.

Following these few tips will help you work through the daily stresses of your job and make you a much happier and productive employee.

Michael DeSafey is a leading executive recruiter for professionals in the construction, engineering and environmental industries. He is currently the President of Webuild Staffing (www.webuildstaffing.com ). To learn more about Michael or to follow his Blog please visit www.michaeldesafey.com