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(EDITOR'S NOTE: A few people emailed essentially the same
question this week, so we combined and paraphrased their queries into one.)
Q: I'm bored at work. Am I burned out? And, if so, what can I do about
it?
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A: It's not surprising that a number of people
asked this question this week. The Holidays are over, it's cold, dreary
and the sun barely makes it past 5 p.m.
Productivity often
suffers this time of year, and mental stagnation rears its sloth-like
head.
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Are you experiencing job burn out
or just the winter blahs? Take this short yes/no quiz to find out:
1) Do you feel your
boss is overbearing?
2) Do you ever dream
that you're at work, working?
3) Have you been in
your current position for five or more years?
4) Do you have a
repetitive job?
5) Do you have
vacation time you have no plans for?
6) Do you love
weekends just because you're not at work?
7) Do you join
co-workers in griping about your job or people you work with/for?
8) Do you surf
online more than you work?
9) Do you sink into
a sofa and veg in front of the tube right after
work?
10) Do you shun
after-work activities because you're too exhausted?
Here's how you did, based on the
number you answered "Yes":
0 - You obviously
just started your job two minutes ago or are a liar, liar pants on fire.
1-3 - You're just
having the winter blahs. It'll pass.
4-6 - You might
have job burn out. Take a day or two off and get out of town.
7-9 - You're
suffering from both job burn out and a dead end job. You should look for
another job before your boss makes that decision for you.
10 - You need a complete
professional and personal overhaul because what you're doing isn't working
for you.
So how do you fight off job burn
out?
* Get out of town
(think "by plane") for a day or two. Or seven.
* Exercise. It'll
give you more energy and help relieve stress.
* Listen to a
different genre of music every day. It puts you in a different mindset,
which helps stave off boredom.
* Join an
organization. Toastmasters, Rotary, or any association or lodge will do.
You'll meet new people, which can help get you out of a rut.
* Volunteer. You
can fight burn out and blahs while helping a great cause. Whether you help
adults learn to read, mentor a child or help put together a fund raiser for
a museum, you'll experience a win/win.
IN THE CARAVAN:
Determine whether you're experiencing job burn out or just the winter
blahs. Then take steps to get past it.
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bSafari.c
The Lion’s Pride: Q & A
