Are You Having A Burnout?

Burnout is a state of physical, mental and emotional (spiritual) exhaustion. Left untreated, it can lead to long term health problems. If you are experiencing the symptoms below, there is a high chance that you are having a burnout.

Specific symptoms of burnout include:

• Having a negative and critical attitude at work.
• Dreading going into work, and wanting to leave once you're there.
• Having low energy, and little interest at work.
• Having trouble sleeping.
• Being absent from work a lot.
• Having feelings of emptiness.
• Experiencing physical complaints such as headaches, illness, or backache.
• Being irritated easily by team members or clients.
• Having thoughts that your work doesn't have meaning or make a difference.
• Pulling away emotionally from your colleagues or clients.
• Feeling that your work and contribution goes unrecognized.
• Blaming others for your mistakes.
• Thinking of quitting work, or changing roles.

If you are experiencing several of these symptoms, you need to seek assistance immediately. Seek someone you trust, a mentor or coach and take actions to reduce your burnout before it gets worse.   

Managing Your Boss

One of the most important relationships that you need to manage in your career is with your boss. The benefits of good boss-subordinate relationship go both ways. For subordinates, it will help to secure resources and create an environment that helps them to perform their tasks better. For the bosses themselves, it helps to lighten the heavy burden on their shoulders in managing their departments, units or SBU (strategic business units).

You can foster better working relationship with your boss by applying the tips below;

Accept that he/she is your boss – Whether you like it or not, this is the reality that you need to accept. Your boss has the power and authority to direct your work. Failure to accept this will create tension between you and your boss. This is important especially in cases where your boss is younger than you or has less experience.

Allow him/her to make mistakes – Remember that bosses are not perfect, but neither are you. Keep things in perspective. Unrealistic expectation towards your boss will disappoint you and may affect your job performance.

Understand your boss's management style – There is no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to management. Different people and different situation require different management style. Adapt your needs and reactions to your boss's management style and at the same time, understand your own preferred style, strength and weaknesses.

Make your boss look good - Perform your job in ways that make your boss look good. Solving problems effectively, thinking creatively, meeting deadlines and producing outstanding results are some of the ways to make your boss look good in front of his/her boss. This will earn you the respect that helps to nourish your relationship with your boss

Keep your boss in the loop – Your boss needs reliable and valid information to do his/her job well. If you feed him/her this type of information, you will be highly valued. Remember that no one likes ‘negative surprises’ and that include your boss. Update your boss on relevant issues, projects, and changes. Tell him/her both the good and bad news so that he/she can evaluate, respond and take actions.

Compensate your boss’s weaknesses – Everybody has weaknesses, including your boss. Study and identify them. Take actions to compensate his weaknesses. For example, if your boss is poor in time management, you can constantly remind him/her of important datelines. If your boss looks good, you will look good too. This gives you a better chance of moving up the corporate ladder and be recognized for all your effort.