Avoiding b u r n o u t
Hey - Kelsie (KJ) here! I thought it might be cool to share my tips on productivity and avoiding burnout since many of you have kind of figured out that I am highkey a professional multitasker. So here are my personal tips, tricks, and ways of staying sane in a world that never seems to hit pause!
“You have the same number of hours in a day as Beyoncé”
So Beyoncé is queen… but realistically, not all of us have the same support as Queen B when it comes to both man power and monetary circumstances. So while it is true that we have the same number of hours in a day as her, we also have to learn to be productive in a way that both fuels us, and pushes us towards our goals in order to avoid burnout.
In my early twenties, I used to really overload myself. At one point when I was living in Chicago, I was performing full time in a professional company, teaching at two dance studios, serving tables every night, and picking up every gig that I could… until I realized that I hadn’t taken a day off for two months. Once that realization was made, my productivity dropped almost instantly. I became incredibly sluggish, called out of work (something I never did), and my immune system even took notice and I was sick on the couch for a week. Since then, I’ve become a lot more conscious of when I’m approaching that burnout level and how to avoid it.. but it has taken me a while to figure out that formula.
I am a naturally energetic person, as I’m sure many of you have noticed. I go all in on the things that I am passionate about and don’t hold back. My first tip for productivity is to recognize and appreciate the things that allow you to do what you love. When I was grinding in Chicago, I didn’t realize how everything that I was doing was aiding my performance career. Serving tables gave me the funds to pay rent which meant that I could go to dance class and train during my “free time.” This inheritably made me a better server because I could acknowledge the value that it currently had in my life. Having that sense of appreciation made me a better server, a happier worker, and honestly made me have a better attitude about going into work for those late nights.
My next tip is to schedule free time like you schedule work time. Block it off. Have those boundaries. I’ve learned that as an extroverted introvert, I HAVE to have that recharge time to myself. My planner looks a little chaotic because it is detailed by the hour on some days, BUT it includes things like “read your book” and “take Moonie for a hike” and “call your friend” on there. It may seem silly, but if you are a person who tends to overbook yourself, prioritizing the little more “human” things can be a powerful tool in avoiding burnout. I know some people say “I won’t work after 7 pm” or “I don’t answer work calls outside of normal work hours” and those are GOOD boundaries to have! What are your boundaries and how are you applying them so that you can just be a human being?
“Just remember that you’re basically a houseplant with more complicated feelings”
Of course we need the sun and healthy food to fuel us throughout the day, but we also need the things that intrinsically bring us joy. With that being said, we should recognize the things that are NOT pushing us towards our goals or things that bring us real happiness. Once you can recognize those things, you can start eliminating them. I’ve been a big fan of “trimming” jobs, relationships and habits within the past several years because I’ve learned that they are not bringing anything to the table that I want to sit at. I have worked jobs that had absolutely nothing and no connection to what I ultimately wanted to do with my life… and to put it simply, those didn’t last long. I’ve cut ties with certain friendships (or kept them at arm’s length) because I saw the negativity that was feeding into my life through that relationship. Not to say that they were bad people at all! But there was a sense of toxicity surrounding the circumstances of that friendship. (Example: bonding over the mutual dislike of a boss and having that be the only discussion and commonalities within conversation.) Negativity breeds a lack of productivity. When we can recognize the habits that aren’t assisting us or are potentially pushing us further away from our goals, we can learn to eliminate them and clear our path!
My last tip is going to be all about communication. Whether it is with a boss, a partner, a friend, or family member, we have to remember that they cannot read our minds. If you are feeling overwhelmed to the point that it is affecting your ability to do your job efficiently, it is probably time to ask for a shift off. If you have one afternoon free where you really wanted alone time, but your mom is asking to go to lunch…maybe schedule it for another day so that she can still get her time and you can get yours. We cannot be afraid to ask for what we need when it comes to the people that are most present in our lives. I know for me, it is INCREDIBLY hard to say no. It took me a long time to be precious about my time, but I found out that the word ‘no’ has so much power in it. Giving yourself freedom to make both yes and no decisions gives you control over your own life. I used to be the ultimate “yes” girl… and it was exhausting. Sure, work loved me because I was constantly there, but where was my time for me? It took getting snowed in and being stuck inside my garden unit apartment, unable to leave my home, for me to take a break. With that being said, don’t be afraid to say “no!” It isn’t rude. It isn’t going to hurt anyone’s feelings. It IS going to establish boundaries for yourself that everyone NEEDS!
Remember that rest is productive!
That last quote speaks for itself. When we are tired, we don’t function properly… literally, our body is like “not today, sis.” So in order to be productive… we must rest. So go out there (or don’t!), find your boundaries, recognize your habits, and let’s make the most of this crazy life.
KJ, Barre & PowerGLOW Instructor
