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One could easily take the downgrade, the downs of the market and the riots around the world and get pretty darned depressed. One cannot be challenged without obstacles to overcome whether it is a person, a company or a country. The road ahead offers plenty of bumps and how we react will affect our work, life and those around us.
If you’re one of those workers who comes in early, skips lunch, and burns the midnight oil working overtime, you could be your own worst enemy. Consider this: in the article “The Top 5 New Rules of Productivity,” Alexander Kjerulf reveals that mistakes and errors rise 10% after an eight-hour day and 28% after a 10-hour day. In other words, all that overtime you’re putting in could be resulting in workplace burnout, and therefore making you worse at your job.
Unfortunately, the recent economic turmoil has created a situation where overtime, overwork, and burnout are practically a given. Most of us took paycuts, wage freezes, and extra work (often left behind by laid off co-workers) during the economy’s darkest moments, and as a result, productivity and profits are now skyrocketing. A study by Sirota examines this increase in productivity since the onset of the Great Recession. And although managers may seek to continue that upward trajectory, the study warns that resource reductions can lead to decreasing levels of employee commitment and performance over time.
While your manager should be cognizant of employee workloads, overtime, and burnout, it’s your responsibility too. Part of your career management strategy should focus on how to avoid burnout and stay effective in your position. Here are some tips to help you get started.
After searching for a job and finally getting the new position you really wanted, your friends and family, who have been so supportive, think you should be on cloud nine, right? After all, the market is tough and you got a JOB. Whoo hoo!
So how come your hands are still clammy and you can’t sleep at night? Why are your thoughts racing with worry about your day to day performance? You should be happy, not worried, right?
There are a number of reasons why you may feel fearful before you start in your new position. If you have been out of work due to a layoff or some other reason, worry and self doubt might be overshadowing your positive feelings about finally getting that new role. Maybe your skills are a little rusty or you are beginning to second guess your performance. Maybe you feel you are off your ‘social game’.
According to a recent online survey conducted for the American Psychological Association, 36 percent of workers reported frequent work related stress and nearly half said they stressed over a lack of adequate salary. If you are reentering the workplace after a short or prolonged absence at reduced compensation this could be adding to your anxiety as well.
Whatever the reasons, here are a few strategies for overcoming anxiety related to your job:
Feeling stressed at work? You’re not the only one. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), more than one-third (36 percent) of workers reported regularly experiencing work stress.
In order to avoid burnout at your job, take time to de-stress in the one or more of the following ways:
Your speed at work may make you more productive — and less plugged into the nuances and networks at your office. Speed is revered in much of Corporate America as a productivity enhancer. Your bosses may appreciate your efficiency and yet be dismayed that you’re not connected to coworkers because you never go to lunch or take time for coffee or a chat.
It’s time to understand that speed has costs.
AOL’s recent announcement about their voluntary separation packages brings back the question of whether or not the acceptance of a voluntary package is a good thing or not in this economy? First of all, let’s be real about why companies offer voluntary packages. The reason is to soften the blow of what is coming and to go ahead and flush out those who have already been looking for a job, have a job in hand, or just don’t want to be there. This way there isn’t the keeping of someone who already has a job in hand and removing someone who wants to be a part of the company. There are many pros and cons to this approach and I have been a part of creating and administering these programs successfully. Where they fall down is when the offer is not accepted by enough people and the alternative is that there is still a forced reduction that comes after the voluntary period has passed. That in turn leaves those who didn’t accept the package, who get laid off later, with a smaller package, upset and not being long-term goodwill ambassadors of the company. In this economy, I would be leery ...
It’s already a crazy week, month or quarter, and you have been running ragged to complete one goal and then another. But are you aware of the signs or side effects that occur when you are under too much pressure and have way too much on your plate?
Based on experiences throughout our careers, here are some of the top signs we’ve come to recognize:
You heated up a slice of pizza for lunch and it’s still in the microwave…4 hours later
You are considering having the rest of that cup of coffee…that you bought from Starbucks yesterday morning and has been sitting on your desk ever since
You haven’t spoken to your friends or loved ones that live outside of your home in far too long
You haven’t showered in more than 48 hours because you just haven’t had the time to spare
When you do catch a wink of sleep, you dream about work. Or when you wake up in the morning it’s as if you don’t remember sleeping
Your home looks like a bomb went off because there are dishes, clothes, papers, laptop and cell phone chargers covering practically every inch of the floor and counters
You haven’t eaten the most important meal of the ...
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