Avoiding Burnout

I get a newsletter from MAPP which talks this issue about career burnout. Here are some pointers:

I picked up a fork and explained that as long as I used it for eating,the
fork would last indefinitely. However, if I began to use it todrive nails
or dig trenches, it would soon break. The key was to useit for what it was
designed to do.The look in his eyes told me he got it, but I still went on to
say thatpeople are like the fork. When they do what they are not designed
to do,they eventually break.

So how do you know if you, a loved one, or someone who reports to youis
suffering from burnout? Here are the early warning signs.
1. chronic fatigue - exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being
physically run down
2. anger at those making demands
3. self-criticism for putting up with the demands
4. cynicism, negativity, and irritability
5. a sense of being besieged
6. exploding easily at
seemingly inconsequential things
7. frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances
8. weight loss or gain
9. sleeplessness and depression
10. shortness of breath
11. suspiciousness
12. feelings of helplessness
13. increased degree of risk taking

Sometimes a simple change at work can help you avoid many (if not all) of
the early warning signs of Burnout.