Fireproof your life - reducing job stress - Brief Article

Black Enterprise, Feb, 1999 by Robyn D. Clarke

Here's how to avoid burnout

It can happen while you're working for someone else, or while you're trying to build your own business. If you're a workaholic, you can easily bring it upon yourself. What is it? Burnout.

It can affect your health and rob you of your productivity and peace of mind. Fortunately, it's completely preventable. Consider these pointers to help keep the fire from flaring up:

* Pare down your load. Don't continue to take on more responsibility if you're really not capable or willing to handle it. Follow the "Three D" rule: delegate what you can, dump what you must, then do the rest yourself.

* Slow down. This will help decrease the chances of making mistakes and overlooking important details, which ultimately mean more work and stress.

* Ask for help. Sometimes you can accomplish more with teamwork. Don't let pride prevent you from getting help when you need it.

* Reexamine your motives. Do your actions correlate with your goals? It's easy to get caught up in other people's agendas, demands and value systems. Routinely ask yourself why you do what you do, and who you do it for.

* Appreciate the process. Success is a journey, not a destination. When you feel frustrated because you haven't quite reached your goal, stop. Take stock of where you are and acknowledge how far you've really come.

* Establish boundaries. Don't be afraid to say no to requests that are obstacles to your goals. Knowing how to draw the line will leave you feeling nothing short of empowered (see "Just Say No," Motivation, this issue).

* Pamper yourself. You don't have to wait until vacation time to give yourself some extra attention. Regularly treat yourself to something nice. It can be as simple as a soothing hot bath. Light some scented candles, play relaxing music and turn off your phone.

* Take stock of your life. When was the last time you laughed? Are you tired, angry or depressed all the time? Don't wait until you're stuck in a rut to make changes in your life. When necessary, take self-inventory and realign with your divine purpose.

Based on Sisterfriends: Empowerment for Women and a Celebration of Sisterhood by Jewel Diamond Taylor (Quiet Time Publishing, $12.99). Copyright c1998. Reprinted by arrangement with Quiet Time Publishing. To order, call Books Now! at 800-BOOKS-NOW or visit www. BooksNow.com/BlackEnterprise.