Avoid burnout in 10 simple steps

It goes without saying that being productive on a regular basis requires a lot of physical, mental and emotional energy. Dishing out all this energy daily/weekly can quickly lead to burnout if productivity is not carefully thought out and planned. Burnout is the by-product of consistent and repetitive positive tasks that allow you to reach your goals but once you reach burnout, it can be extremely hard to get over it.

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Here is how to avoid burnout in 10 simple steps:

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1. Plan ahead.

Rule number 1 to avoid burnout is to plan as far ahead as you can. You most likely are aware of what your to-do list consists of and you should therefore be able to plan this list around other life responsibilities. By planning ahead in this way, you have a clear vision of how to tackle your to-do list and you can also juggle things around before any clashes arise.

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2. Use reminders.

Life can get really busy especially being an entrepreneur, business owner or parent. Things often get forgotten and are pushed further down the long list of things to do. We tend to underestimate the power of reminders. Be it creating a reminder on your phone or using post-it notes and sticking it somewhere memorable, these methods are simple but extremely effective in ensuring you do not forget tasks. Being reminded about things helps you feel relaxed and in control and therefore avoids burnout.

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3. Do not multitask.

As mentioned in our other blog ‘5 Tips to Improving your Personal Productivity’, multitasking is not recommended. Trying to juggle more than one task at a time can sound like a quick way to get things done but in actual fact, it can lead to burnout quicker than you think. Focus on one task at a time and see it through until it is finished.

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4. Do the most important tasks first.

Have you heard or seen the Eisenhower Matrix? This matrix is a simple yet extremely effective tool to decide on what the most important tasks are that need doing. Here is an article on Asana that goes into detail about each quadrant of the matrix. By doing the most important tasks first, you can truly avoid burnout as you satisfy the more important quadrants on the matrix. Doing the most important tasks first ensures you do not have to deal with any repercussions.

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Be it creating a reminder on your phone or using post-it notes and sticking it somewhere memorable, these methods are simple but extremely effective in ensuring you do not forget tasks.

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5. Delegate tasks.

Delegation is a major skill that if done well, means you can shift the less important tasks to someone else while you focus on the more important tasks. Delegation simply means to give someone else the responsibility. This is an essential way to avoid burnout as it means you do not have too much on your plate at any given time.

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6. Set S.M.A.R.T goals.

S.M.A.R.T stands for: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-bound. By setting goals in this manner, you are well on track in ensuring your goals are well planned out and thought through. We often go off on tangents when it comes to setting goals and sometimes, we go without achieving some, this can lead to stress and burnout. Using S.M.A.R.T goals is key to ensure you avoid burnout.

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7. Learn how to say no.

Life is extremely fast paced with so many things going on. This means you often put other people first before your own goals and dreams. By saying yes to everyone else’s demands you are slowly pushing your own needs further away and this can eventually lead to burnout. Learning to say no to demands from others that do not serve your goals, will ensure you keep on track and most likely avoid burnout.

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8. Get some exercise.

Exercise does not have to be extremely strenuous but it should get your heart pumping for at least 30 minutes a day. Getting enough exercise in your system releases all sorts of endorphins, which help you cope with stress and burnout. This can be as simple as going for a walk, running or cycling. By doing exercise, you take a temporary break from your goals and can return to them with a fresher mind and body.

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9. Make sure you rest.

Do not forget to have plenty of rest, after all our bodies need rest to repair and grow. Consistent productivity can take its toll on our bodies but by resting often we are able to combat burnout. Resting could be for an hour a day where you can read a book, meditate or anything else that helps you relax. The long-term benefit of rest is that we avoid burnout.

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10. Reward yourself.

Rewarding ourselves releases endorphins similar to when we do exercise, as mentioned above. Being productive requires a lot of discipline, energy and focus and therefore rewarding yourself is a must. Rewards should not be too often however or you risk diluting its effect on avoiding burnout.

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If you are reading this blog post then you are aware that avoiding burnout is critical in ensuring you realise your goals and dreams. By following the above 10 simple steps to avoid burnout, you are putting yourself in the best place possible to achieve your dreams.

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Photo by Elisa Ventur on Unsplash

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