Working from home makes work-life balance more challenging to achieve than ever before. Burnout is increasing at an alarming rate.
How workplaces have evolved since the pandemic
Let’s quickly review how the workplace has changed over the last few years.
Having lived in Seattle, I’ve seen tremendous growth in the South Lake Union technology hub, where the workforce reported for work. It was a definite shift in thinking when the pandemic hit, and the area shut down. Tech companies and other businesses quickly transitioned to a work-from-home model to keep businesses going. A troubling thing occurred when this took place. Expectations were miss matched, and outcomes were often confusing. The result is that challenges with work-life balance accelerated, resulting in Burnout becoming even more of a problem.
What is Burnout
According to WebMD, Burnout is a form of exhaustion caused by constantly feeling swamped. It results from excessive and prolonged emotional, physical, and mental stress. In many cases, Burnout is related to one’s job. It’s triggered not only by your work life but also by family, social, and other obligations. Another source of Burnout is activities that conflict with your core values.
Easy Steps to Cure Burnout
In the Total Effectiveness System six-part course, the first segment is effectiveness foundations. We work through three critical components of a solid work-life foundation.
First, a Core Values Assessment
Many of us have a vague idea of our core values, while others may be blind to theirs. The core values assessment we work through is the Life Values Inventory. It will help you identify your core values but also goes further. It guides you in zeroing in on the values that aren’t important that you spend too much time on and the essential values that aren’t getting enough attention.
Second, Creating and Analyzing a Simple Time Log
Have you reached the end of your work day and can’t identify where the time went? You’re not alone. Creating and utilizing a simple time log is critical to your effectiveness. Let me say again, a SIMPLE time log. One that is easy to use and doesn’t require exact precision. Over two or three weeks, you’ll have tremendous insight into where you’re spending your time and understand where your energy level is greatest.
Finally, Scheduling Weekly Planning and Daily Review Appointments on Your Calendar
You’ll never catch up if you start your work week without a plan. Start by creating a weekly planning appointment, preferably on Sunday, to review your projects, goals, and other priorities, and schedule them. Perhaps the most critical component of weekly planning is focus and renewal time. Focus and renewal consist of scheduling time for your physical, emotional, relationship, and spiritual selves.
Next Recommendation for effective work-life balance
Creating different calendars with color if you use Google Calendar, or perhaps color categories if you’re an Outlook user, is the ultimate way to schedule your week. You’ll see at a glance whether your plan is balanced or not.
And Finally
Your daily review appointment allows you to check your plan’s progress and make any necessary corrections. Remember that your plan may explode in front of your eyes on Monday morning, but having it allows you to get back on track. Without a plan, you can go in a direction that won’t guide you to what matters.
Enter the Total Effectiveness System
Foundations are just one component of the Total Effectiveness System. We cover other aspects of becoming effective, from inboxes to organizing your physical workspace.
Kickstart your productivity with the Total Effectiveness System. This six-lesson online course will show you how to organize your life around what matters and your critical roles.
