Job Burnout

I just looked up burnout on Wikipedia and found out that the first three phases of burnout are:

• A compulsion to prove oneself
• Working harder
• Neglecting one's own needs

How often do you fall into these three phases? Do you recognize when it's happening and stop to take care of yourself? Buried in emails, behind on deadlines, and feeling the crushing burden of too much to do, how do you respond?

It's Mother's Day weekend. I'm a mom. As compelled as I am to clean out email, make sure I'm not missing anything critical, finish writing past-due performance reviews, and clean the house, these three phases are looking all-too familiar.

I've decided just now that I'm going to relax this weekend, enjoy my messy house, my husband, my three teenagers, my parents, and my cat, who really knows how to relax. I might even read a bit, take a walk, knit, and watch a movie, but only if I feel like it. Work can wait. Life can't.

Claire - Photo by Karina Miller

What about you? Let me know what you're doing this Mother's Day weekend. Make a declaration to the world. Then be cat-like and go take care of yourself. 

And if you want to really Rejuvenate, Renew, and Refresh, save September 30 and October 1 to attend the next HR Possibilities Event.