As the pandemic has forced many into remote work, feelings of being overworked and burned out are at an all-time high. The lines between work and home life are more blurred now than ever before. Feeling emotionally exhausted and dissatisfied with your job, having a hard time concentrating and poor work performance are all signs of burnout. A study done by the Journal of Housing Economics has looked at how overworking is affecting brokers and real estate agents. It found that agents who take on 15 or more listings end up selling them for 3% less. It also takes these agents 29% more time to sell these listings than agents who take on between two and seven listings. Establishing a healthy work/life balance is essential not only for your efficiency, but also for your overall health and well-being. Ask yourself: Are you taking on too much?
Set professional boundaries, and stick to them
Learn how to say no, and stop allowing yourself to be glued to your work email and projects 24/7. Decline meeting invitations during your dedicated lunch or rest break. If you are asked to take on extra work, seriously consider if that work will help you reach your own personal goals. If it will not benefit you, respectfully turn the work down.
Have a conversation with your boss
Talking to your superior in the workplace can be a daunting task, but it may be necessary. When you have too much on your plate, none of the work can be done to the best of your abilities. Don’t just approach your boss with complaints, rather be prepared with some constructive feedback and possible solutions. Be sure to underscore that this conversation is happening because you are dedicated to producing quality work.
Separate your workspace
If your job is remote, you may be forced to work in the same spaces where you sleep and eat. If you can, create separation between your “office” and personal space at home. If you can’t move to a separate room with a door, perhaps try setting up a curtain or partition to break up a single room.
Schedule your non-work activities and down time
Build breaks into your work schedule and don’t skip them. Be intentional about taking time off. Add rest and self-care time to your calendar or agenda, as you do any other meeting or to-do. Spending more time away from work and with your family and friends will do a lot for your spirit and morale. You won’t be as drained when it’s time to get back to work.
Communicate with your team
Let the people you work with know what time you plan on logging off every day. When you are taking time off, be clear about whether you will be reachable via email or phone call. If you only want to be contacted in case of an emergency, define what you understand an appropriate emergency to be.
Photo: iStock.com/LuisPortugal
