2. Maximize your time. Don’t manage it.
Are you over-scheduling or overcommitting? Remember the calendar does not overbook you, you do. Don’t manage your time, maximize it. We should be accountable for our time, just as we are with our money. You get the same 24 hours in a day as everyone else. How are you choosing to spend it? If you are overcommitted and stretched thin, remember, you allowed everything that is on your calendar to be there. Prioritize, the main things taking up your time should be the most important things in your life.
Be mindful of how you are maximizing your time. Most of us think we excel at multi-tasking, but we don’t. Usually, it leads to us being distracted and unfocused, costing us more time. You are better off working on one task at a time. Organize your work around your energy levels. Start your morning with your most critical work or project. Starting the day with a sense of accomplishment makes it easier to move on to the next thing.
3. Manage your energy. It is not a finite resource
Time is a finite resource, energy is not. Energy can be systemically enhanced and regularly renewed. Most of us spend time on activities that zap our energy. By creating intentional rituals like earlier bedtimes, workout routines and taking lunch breaks at work, we can renew our energy and reduce burnout. Yes, they are simple ideas, but they help you refuel and feel more positive overall.
Schedule fun! With so many things competing for our time, fun doesn’t always schedule itself. Identify your “sweet spot” activities and find ways to do more of the things that bring you joy. Nothing boosts your energy like doing something you really love. For example, if connecting with your family is important, schedule regular sit-down meals. Do you have a passion you always wanted to pursue? Find a group in the community that shares that passion. Make sure you understand your core values and put your energy into those values!
If you are feeling workplace burnout, it is important to address it. Start by using these three tips focusing on your stress mindset, time and energy. Remember, you are aiming for progress not perfection. It takes practice and focus to learn new rituals. Celebrating your small successes will help you build your confidence. Once you accept that every moment you get to choose how you feel, you will find greater work-life balance.
