As we enter a New Year it’s natural that many of us will be considering making changes to our work life balance or even changing careers. Research suggests that nearly half of the UK workforce is susceptible to burnout, underscoring the importance of proactively managing work, life and mental health. So how can we achieve this balance? Here are 5 strategies to help navigate avoiding burnout and creating a new working style.
Puzzle pieces with Work, Balance, Life text
by wuestenigel
Communicate with Your Team and Manager
I know it’s awkward – I for sure find myself a people pleaser at times but openly communicate your workload and stress levels with your manager and the wider team. Often managers aren’t aware of some of the pressures and are keen to help ease the load. If required, book in a meeting so that you can discuss the barriers that you are facing face to face or even with the wider team. This will allow you to identify where you can delegate tasks as well as what is urgent and required by you which leads us to..
Productivity: Using the Personal Kanban to Play with Project Decomposition
by orcmid
Craft Achievable Goals and Prioritise Tasks
Break down your responsibilities into manageable steps and establish realistic goals. Prioritise tasks based on deadlines and significance. I use an Eisenhower Matrix to help me figure out what is urgent and what isn’t . As someone with ADHD being able to visually see my tasks helps me prioritise the day and make sure that I don’t miss anything or get overwhelmed. I’ve also used my priority lists to help me be able to say no when necessary to avoid overcommitting as I can clearly share where my time is best spent.
File:7 habits decision-making matrix
Embrace Regular Breaks
It really does help to step away from your desk or workspace, take a brief walk, or practise deep breathing exercises. Further prioritise self-care by ensuring sufficient sleep, regular exercise, and engagement in activities that bring joy. Nurturing your well-being enhances resilience against burnout and allows you to be more productive when you are nose down in a task or stressed on a project.
Emma Carney, Marketer who works from home states: ‘ Taking regular breaks really helps with my mental health, work productivity and creativity. I make sure I have set ‘core work hours’ as well as outside exercise time to get some vitamin D and avoid burnout from too much screen time! If I find myself unable to focus on a task, after a quick walk and a coffee it is much easier to complete. If anything, I consider my breaks as part of my working process as they are so effective .’
Define Work-Life Boundaries
Be more French! They have strict rules in place where employees cannot be messaged outside of office hours to maintain strong work life balances. Keeping work hours within a strict time frame helps support other areas of your life such as social activities and taking time to unwind which in turn contributes to good mental health. Allocate time for hobbies, family, and relaxation to replenish your energy and beat off burnout!
Embrace Mindfulness and Elevate Stress
Infuse mindfulness and stress reduction practices into your daily routine. Dedicate a few minutes each day to activities such as meditation, deep breathing exercises, or mindfulness practices. These techniques facilitate staying present, managing stress more effectively, and enhancing overall well-being. By integrating mindfulness into your routine, you can fortify resilience and adeptly navigate workplace challenges.
Lucinsa Pullinger: In the UK, January stands out as a challenging period for career-related struggles, but it remains crucial to remain vigilant for signs of burnout throughout the year. Globally, stress and fatigue in the workplace affect individuals of various ages and career stages. Much like imposter syndrome, those who strive for high achievement and perfectionism are especially prone to experiencing burnout – Says Lucinda Pullinger, Global Head of HR at Instant Offices
