Late addition to the Burnout debate - Found on the Web
Burnout Prevention and Recovery - University of Texas Style
1. Stop Denying. Listen to the wisdom of your body. Begin to freely admit
the stresses and pressures which have manifested physically, mentally, or
emotionally.
UT View: Work until the physical pain forces you into unconsciousness.
2. Avoid Isolation. Don't do everything alone! Develop or renew intimacies
with friends and loved ones.
Closeness not only brings new insights, but also is anethema to agitation
and depression.
UT View: Shut your office door and lock it from the inside so no-one
will distract you. They're just trying to hurt your productivity.
3. Change Your Circumstances. If your job, your relationships, a situation,
or a person is dragging you
under, try to alter your circumstances, or if necessary, leave.
UT View: If you feel something is dragging you down, suppress these
thoughts. This is a weakness. Drink more coffee.
4. Diminish Intensity In Your Life. Pinpoint those areas or aspects which
summon up the most
concentrated intensity and work towards alleviating that pressure.
UT View: Increase intensity. Maximum intensity = maximum
productivity. If you find yourself relaxed and with your mind wandering,
you are probably having a detrimental effect on the department's budget.
5. Stop Overnurturing. If you routinely take on other people's problems and
responsibilities, learn to gracefully disengage. Try to get some nurturing
for yourself.
UT View: Always attempt to do everything. You ARE responsible for it
all. Perhaps you haven't thoroughly read your job description.
6. Learn To Say "No". You'll help diminish intensity by speaking up for
yourself. This means refusing
additional requests or demands on your time or emotions.
UT View: Never say no to anything. It shows weakness, and lowers the
departmental budget. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do at
midnight.
7. Begin To Back Off And Detach: Learn to delegate, not only at work, but
also at home and with friends. In this case, detachment means rescuing
yourself for yourself.
UT View: Delegating is a sign of weakness. Let someone else do it
(See #5).
8. Reassess Your Values. Try to sort out the meaningful values from the
temporary and fleeting, the essential from the nonessential. You'll
conserve energy and time, and begin to feel more centered.
UT View: Stop thinking about your own problems. This is selfish. If
your values change, we will make an announcement at the staff meeting.
Until then, if someone calls you and questions your priorities, tell them
that you are unable to comment on this and give them the number for the
dean's office. It will be taken care of.
9. Learn To Pace Yourself. Try to take life in moderation. You only have so
much energy available. Ascertain what is wanted and needed in your life,
and begin to balance work with love, pleasure and relaxation.
UT View: A balanced life is a myth perpetuated by graduate
Philosophy students. Don't be a fool: the only thing that matters is work
and productivity.
10. Take Care Of Your Body. Don't skip meals, abuse yourself with rigid
diets, disregard your need for
sleep, or break doctor appointments. Take care of yourself nutritionally.
UT View: Your body serves your mind, your mind serves the
university. Push the mind and the body will follow. Drink Mountian Dew.
11. Diminish Worry and Anxiety. Try to keep superstitious worrying to a
minimum -- it changes nothing. You'll have a better grip on the situation
if you spend less time worrying and more time taking care of your real
needs.
UT View: If you're not worrying about work, you must not be very
committed to it. We'll find someone who is.
12. Keep Your Sense Of Humor. Begin to bring joy and happy moments into
your life. Very few people
suffer burnout when they're having fun.
UT View: So, you think your work is funny? We'll discuss this with
your manager on Friday. At 7:00 pm.
Have a Nice Day! Now Get Back to Work!
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