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September 1, 2011
Banishing Burnout!
 Job burnout: 77 percent of American workers suffer from it. Teresa Watkins – wife, mother, entrepreneur and founder of lifestyle management firm Time Sweet Time – can relate.
“The constant demands placed on professional women today, especially full-time working mothers, are enough to overwhelm even the most talented overachiever,” Watkins tells PINK.
“While it’s clear there are only 24 hours in a day, perfectionist attitudes and the perpetual pursuit of excellence are two primary catalysts to reaching burnout."
What can we do about it? “Let go of the belief you have to be Superwoman!” suggests Watkins. She recommends letting go of unrealistic expectations and
lowering standards for what you want to accomplish in a day to help banish guilt leading to burnout.
Already feeling the burn? To combat it, Watkins takes baby steps. “[I] jot down one or two things to do now to make things easier. Ask yourself what you can let go of, and let go!”
Experts say women avoid burnout by accepting a certain level of anxiety as normal and making the effort to block out time to do things they enjoy each day – like listening to music or being with family.
Not sure if you’re heading toward burnout? Try Psychology Today’s 45-question quiz to find out. Plus, Entrepreneur offers tips on how coworkers can ease burnout, like rotating job responsibilities and exploring new methods of motivation.
Bonus PINK Link: When stress hits overdrive, here’s how to hit the brakes.
By Brittani Banks
"Burnout happens, not because we’re trying to solve problems but because
we’ve been trying to solve the same problems over and over and over." Susan Scott
*Supporting images from FreeDigitalPhotos.net, photostock and Ambro
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Comments
Right On the Mark
While there's not much new under the sun about avoiding burnout and achieving work/life balance, I have to say this article is a great reminder for how we should be living our lives. It may seem like common sense to let go of perfectionism, but how many women really do it consistently and are okay with it? Each individual has to find what works for her, and the tips I read in Little PINK Book in conjunction with other sources are valuable tidbits that I can incorporate every day whether I've heard them before or not. Thanks, LBP!!
Banishing Burnout!
Can someone, anyone, just for once write a story that deals with women, professional women who are experiencing job stress, burnout, responsibilities, etc. and not distinguish women based on whether they have children or not. Every story has to have the line "especially full-time mothers" which instantly means that only professional women with children are the ones who are overworked, stressed and dealing with responsibilities. As a woman who runs a business and has no children, I get trumped everytime because I cannot possibly be overworked, stressed and burned out if I don't have children. This could have been a good story worth sharing...
One year ago, I sounded EXACTLY like you.
Offended and appalled that just because I didn't have children the assumption from colleague to family to friends was "it can't be that bad, afterall you don't even have kids." To top it off, you were judged for working so hard and labeled as someone that "obviously didn't have a life" since so much time is dedicated to work. Fast forward, had a baby 12 months ago... accepted a promotion/equity position which has me travelling even more and faced with yet even more pressure (as if it was even possible to kick it up a notch). I must say, the baby thing REALLY does take an incredible toll on an executive woman. NOW I understand why so many articles are addressed to these women. Imagine your hectic life now... then, add ZERO down time, feelings of guilt when you are away from the baby, feelings of fear when the baby is with your nanny, a cell phone on your side 24/7 in board meetings in case baby related issue comes up... THEN, remember, this child needs attention and love, REAL downtime that requires your undivided attention. So, if you had to review reports in the evening it won't be until 1 AM when baby, spouse, food, clean up, play time has all been tended to. It is TOTALLY WORTH IT, but seriously hard to fathom how any normal execuitve woman can keep up this pace forever (this baby is not a project, she is yours to keep and teach and love forever and she requires time share from your life now and forever). So, while YOU CAN be overworked without kids, I am telling you with kids you are talking exponential stress and time requirements that you have little to no control over. Perhaps, articles on both demos would suffice. :)
I've been on both sides of
I've been on both sides of the fence. Working in high-powered, stress-filled positions as a woman with and without children. It's not to say that it's easier without children in the equation; it simply adds another layer of complexity. I've been "overworked, stressed and burned out" in both scenarios.
Banishing Burnout
Well, I have changed careers in the past to banish it, and this past winter I skipped a semester of classes. I work full time, my house was getting siding and windows, part time school and a very sick, old dog that died in February. I was pegged.
PINK BOOK
EVERY WOMEN NEEDS A LITTLE PINK BOOK!!!
THANK YOU,
Women Entrepreneurs and Burnout
I work with women entrepreneurs who are experiencing burnout. It's common that they are overachievers and have always been. Working through my 6 Pillars of Wellness for Women Entrepreneur we create a foundation for change and support so they can revive the passion for their business and start living the life of their dreams. Our society has, unfortunately, supported the thinking that if we give everything we have to our business, job or company then we will be rewarded. But reality is that we sacrifice the things in life that truly make us happy, i.e., our health, our family and ourselves. Check out my site: http://healthybodyhealthybiz.com. Gayle Arnold--The Wellness Coach for Women Entrepreneurs
Tired of Perfection
I am tired of hearing the same advice that women need to stop trying to be perfect. I gave up perfection years ago and still am continuously pushing back the burnout tide. I am working to keep my clients happy, my husband content and my child to remember my name. I don't care who cleans my house as long as it isn't me. I would pay someone to breathe for me if I could. I've let go of just about everything except showering and getting dressed. I would like more creative advice than to "let go of perfection."
Thank you,
Women Entrepreneurs and Burnout
I hear your pain. It's unfortunate that our society supports the thinking that we must give away everything to have this so-called "Success." I work with Women Entrepreneurs that living your life--experience burnout. Check out my website and see if anything resonates with you. You deserve to "have it all" and not at the expense of your health, your relationships and most importantly giving up the passion of creating your own business. http://healthybodyhealthybiz.com--Gayle Arnold