Michael DeSafey | Executive Recruiter and HR Professional
A Career in Crisis – Beating Burnout
The Grind. We all know it. We all live it. Day after day, week after week, you go to work, prepared to battle in the trenches for your firm. Day after day, week after week. Client demands are mounting; you start viewing them as the enemy.
It’s no wonder you’re on the verge of burn-out. It’s getting harder and harder to answer the bell on Mondays, and it’s downhill from there. Commuting and traffic and meetings and phone calls and technology and deadlines and…
…you’re not at your best at home. Your family is getting the office leftovers. Most of your time after work is a whirlwind of homework, dinner, getting the kids down. Then finally, finally, a few minutes of down-time before bed. Then the alarm goes off and it starts all over again.
Yeah, burnout is right around the corner. It’s one of the most insidious career-killers in the A/E/C industry. Weekends aren’t nearly long enough to recharge your battery. How can you get off the hamster wheel; to put on the brakes before you hit that wall? Here’s how to fix your career crisis and beat burnout:
Take Some Time For Yourself….
It’s that simple. Make some time, every day, to be by yourself. Leave your office and turn off your cell. Go outside if possible. Close your eyes and listen to music. Read a devotion or a chapter in the book that’s been collecting dust on your nightstand. Take a walk. Fifteen minutes, every day, will save your sanity. These are 10 things that happen when you spend time alone:
- It’s quiet. Don’t underestimate this. It’s therapeutic for your tired, overstimulated brain.
- Your mind learns to rest. This isn’t automatic. You have to work at it but, eventually, your mind will learn to rest.
- You learn to relax. Again, this isn’t automatic. With time, your breathing and heart rate slow. Your shoulders drop. Tension leaves your neck.
- You think more clearly. Once your mind learns to rest, it’s easier to organize thoughts, free of the clutter and noise.
- You become a more positive person. As the stress and negativity start sliding away it becomes more natural to feel better about yourself and the world around you.
- You have more patience. Positive people tend to extend more grace to others. Clients become friends again.
- Your priorities become more defined. It’s easier to see the forest when you aren’t focusing on each tree bearing down on you.
- You are a better spouse/partner/friend. All of that positivity and good feelings bring sunshine to those you love!
- You become a better leader. A clear head and more patience will result in better decisions and a more cohesive team.
- Your life is better. Promise.
Spending time alone, every day, will reboot your life and heal your career crisis. It won’t get rid of traffic or extend deadlines, but you’ll be able to handle them in a more positive manner.
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