Busyness & Burnout @ Work
You'll learn about the detrimental impact of busyness on productivity and the lurking threat of burnout at work. Discover practical tips for prioritization and time management to combat these challenges.
Helpful Reading
Helpful Reading
Cal Newport | Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World | This book emphasizes the value of deep, focused work over busyness, reinforcing the podcast's message about the difference between being busy and being productive. It also provides strategies for managing time and prioritizing important tasks.
Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski | Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle | The Nagoski sisters delve into the science of stress and burnout, aligning with the podcast's discussion on burnout. The book offers practical advice on managing stress and avoiding burnout.
Greg McKeown | Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less | McKeown's book advocates for the disciplined pursuit of less but better, which supports the podcast's tip about being selective with your 'yes'. It teaches readers to focus on what's truly important and let go of the rest.
Sherry Turkle | Reclaiming Conversation: The Power of Talk in a Digital Age | Turkle's book explores the value of conversation and downtime in an age of constant digital communication, reinforcing the podcast's message about the need for rest and reflection.
Charles Duhigg | The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business | Duhigg's book analyzes how habits work, providing insight into how one can change their habits to avoid the constant state of busyness and burnout discussed in the podcast.
Laura Vanderkam | 168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think | Vanderkam's book challenges the idea of being "too busy," offering strategies to manage time more effectively and aligning with the podcast's tips for time management.
Brené Brown | The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are | This book encourages self-kindness and self-care, resonating with the podcast host's closing remark about being kind to oneself and the need for 'me time'.
Tony Schwartz and Jim Loehr | The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, is the Key to High Performance and Personal Renewal | Schwartz and Loehr's book highlights the importance of managing energy rather than time to avoid burnout, complementing the podcast's topic of burnout and its connection to busyness.
Juliet Funt | A Minute to Think: Reclaim Creativity, Conquer Busyness, and Do Your Best Work | Funt's book addresses the issue of constant busyness and its impact on productivity and creativity, closely aligning with the podcast's theme. It offers practical tools to combat busyness and foster thoughtful work.
Stephen R. Covey | First Things First | Covey's book emphasizes the importance of prioritizing tasks based on their importance rather than urgency, which directly relates to the podcast's third tip about distinguishing between the important and the urgent.
Transcript
Hello everyone! I'm your host, your friendly neighborhood OD consultant, here to guide you through the labyrinth of work life. Today, we'll grapple with the infamous beasts of busyness and burnout, and give you some survival tools for the battlefield of the workplace. So buckle up, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and let's dive in.
Have you ever noticed how when you ask someone 'how's it going?' the typical response is 'oh, I'm busy.' It's almost as if busyness has become a status symbol. But let me tell you something... and brace yourselves because this might sting a bit... being busy doesn't mean being productive!
That's right. Your calendar could be bursting at the seams, and you could still be spinning your wheels. And you know what that leads to? Burnout. That sneaky little gremlin that slowly drains your energy, your enthusiasm, and your effectiveness.
Recent research by Gallup showed that employees who often or always have enough time to do all of their work are 70% less likely to experience high burnout. Surprised? You shouldn't be. When we're constantly in a state of hustle, we don't leave time for rest, for reflection, or for simply recharging our batteries.
I'm here to give you some practical tips to combat these monsters of the modern workplace. So, let's move on to that.
Tip number one: Be selective with your 'yes'. Every 'yes' to an unnecessary meeting or opportunity is a 'no' to something that could be more important. It's like choosing to watch a rerun of 'Keeping Up With The Kardashians' when you could be watching the season finale of 'Game of Thrones'. You get the picture."
Tip number two: Respect your own time. If you don't, who will? Block out time on your calendar for yourself. Call it 'strategic planning', call it 'innovation time', or simply call it 'me time'. Just make sure it's there."
And finally, tip number three: Learn to distinguish between the important and the urgent. Yes, I know, everything seems urgent when you're under the gun. But remember, the urgent is often not important, and the important is seldom urgent. So, take a step back, take a deep breath, and make sure you're not just putting out fires all the time."
Well, that's all for today, folks! Tune in next time as we delve deeper into the art of saying 'no' and managing your time like a boss. Until then, remember: you're not a robot. You're a human being. So, be kind to yourself. Signing off, your friendly neighborhood OD consultant.