There’s no doubt that being productive is a great thing. So, every day you put your nose to the grindstone in order to crank out as much impressive work as you can.
But, even if you’re the most motivated and dedicated employee on the planet, you’re bound to reach your limit sooner or later. You eventually come to that point when you feel completely exhausted and drained. You’ve been burning the candle at both ends, and it only left you feeling burnt out.
So, what should you do? Hide out on your couch and binge-watch Netflix for twelve hours? No way! Although, I must admit that sounds somewhat appealing. But, you can skip the couch, get through this burnt out period, and get back to feeling like your usual inspired and driven self. Here are five tips for surviving (and even thriving!) at work when your energy is totally zapped.
1. Identify the Cause
First, it’s important that you find the root of your problem. After all, it’s difficult to fix an issue if you have no idea what exactly is causing it. So, take some time to evaluate your current work situation and determine what exactly isn’t sitting well with you.
Is your line of work just too stressful? Is your boss too demanding? Are you taking on too much and working unreasonable hours? Are you just not prioritizing your tasks and managing your time efficiently?
Once you have that sorted out, you can move on to figuring out your next steps.
2. Implement Small Changes
So, you’ve determined what exactly is encouraging this drained feeling. But, now what? You can’t just quit your job or change all of the tasks and responsibilities associated with your position.
That’s true, but that doesn’t mean that there’s nothing you can do to help your situation and change your attitude. Trust me, even a few little changes will help to make a big difference in how you feel about your daily workload.
So, what sorts of things can you try? Well, if your boss has unreasonable expectations, bring a list of all of your current projects into him and ask him to determine which are the most time-pressing. At least that will give you a sense of direction. Or, if your hours are far too overwhelming, force yourself to take short breaks throughout the day. Just the act of getting up and away from your computer will help you maintain a little more sanity.
Be aware that you might not be able to fix the entire problem with one swift adjustment. But, anything you can do to help yourself recharge is sure to improve your circumstances!
3. Step Away From Your To-Do List
If you’re anything like me, you live and die by your trusty to-do list. It’s what keeps you organized and on top of all of the things that you need to get done.
But, your to-do list can also be a bit demoralizing, can’t it? Oftentimes I’ll get to the end of my workday and see five or seven remaining tasks on my list. That only serves to make me feel like my day was useless and unproductive. Or, I’ll start my workday by taking a quick glance at my pending tasks. Suddenly, I feel as if I’m chipping away at a mountain with a toothpick—I just know I’ll never get it all done. It’s disheartening.
This is why I challenge you to try stepping away from your standard to-do list. Why? Well, you already have a basic understanding of your expectations and responsibilities, as well as what needs to get done on any given day. So, try relying on your instincts instead of a pad of paper.
Not only will this prevent you from feeling completely overwhelmed, but you might even be surprised with how productive you end up being. Instead of making it your aim to cross off as many pesky tasks as possible, your focus is on your real, important work. Who knows, you might even accomplish a project or two that’s been hanging out on your to-do list for ages!
4. Unplug
I love technology. I think it can do great things—and, it can definitely help you be more productive! But, being constantly connected also presents a problem. We never really leave the office.
I’m willing to bet that even after you’ve punched out at 5PM, you still check in on work-related matters using your phone, tablet, or home computer. Well, no wonder you feel burnt out! You’re not giving yourself adequate time to relax and recharge. Even though you’re physically removing yourself from the office, your mind is constantly in work mode.
So, set a strict time when you put all of your devices away and just focus on enjoying your family, friends, and downtime. Trust me—having these hours reserved will help you feel significantly better.
5. Build a Life Outside of the Office
As I’ve already mentioned, checking your email definitely shouldn’t be your after-work hobby. It’s important that you cultivate a fun and enjoyable life for yourself—outside of the four walls of your office.
Whether it’s a weekly yoga class, painting lessons, or even a regular evening stroll with your family, it’s important that you find activities that make you feel inspired, fulfilled, and relaxed. Not only does this contribute to a healthy work/life balance, but it’ll also allow you to go into work each day feeling a little more motivated. There’s nothing better than enjoying your life—both in the office and out!
Feeling burnt out is a real struggle, and it’s all too common. In fact, a 2012 survey found that 63% of U.S. workers have high levels of stress at work, which leads to their extreme fatigue and an out of control feeling.
But, that doesn’t mean you need to fall victim to that drained and melancholy state forever. Instead, take a deep breath, implement these tips, and prepare to get back on that horse feeling motivated and recharged!
