Are you feeling burnt out on your job? Does it require too much emotionally or time-wise? Does it allow you to have work–life balance? Are your relationships affected by the number of hours you work, or you under a constant state of stress due to your work? These are some clues that you are headed towards job burn out.
Does it require too many hours? Many people work between 40 and 50 hours. Some work more and some less depending on your field. If you are working 60+ hours a week, you are probably working too much. I have had clients come in because they are so stressed out and anxious. When I hear they are working 80 hours a week, it’s no wonder. We all need time out to recuperate emotionally and physically. You are not superman/woman and do not need to work that many hours.
Are you a work-a-holic? Perhaps you like working the number of hours you do, or feel compelled to do so. You may also want to consider that you work that many hours due to avoiding relationships or responsibilities. Perhaps you don’t know how to relax or are trying to numb out and not feel uncomfortable feelings. Maybe you are a perfectionist.
Do your loved ones complain that you are never home? It is just about impossible to have a marriage or relationship with your children when you are not there. Trust me, in healthy relationships; the people that are at home are not happy that you are gone so much. Most people would rather have less money and less material objects to have you at home. If you are working many hours to avoid going home, that is a different to story.
Are you under a constant state of stress? Some jobs are stressful due to the sheer number of hours that are expected of them (ex. Lawyers wanting to be partner), and others due to the fear of layoffs. Regardless, this will have you in a constant state of fight or flight mode, and your productivity will go down.
These are all conditions that can lead to job burnout and dissatisfaction. If you are in this situation, is there something you can do to reduce your stress on the job. Can you take more breaks, decrease your hours, delegate workload or set more boundaries so you don’t get burnt out? It may require that you change jobs, which can be scary in it self. Next weeks blog will discuss how to decrease your stress and work. If this is something you’d like to explore, please call me at 713-304-6554.
Take care,
Debbie
