This world of 100% virtual has shifted the earth and everyone in it in a way that has been unimaginable. As with any change it has its pros and its cons. I believe that the biggest con is the potential Virtual Burnout. I’m not sure if this is a term that has been coined or not but what I do know is that it is real and many are suffering from it. I wanted to offer a few suggestions to help all of us avoid this pitfall to help us all recover quickly if we fall victim. I’ve also provided an infographic for safe keeping. Based on my conversations with many over the last few weeks and from what I’ve personally experienced, I suggest that you follow these five steps to avoid Virtual Burnout.
1. Decide what you are going to work on and give it all you’ve got. Having multiple devices going at once can potentially frustrate you and add unnecessary unconscious pressure and stress to your life. You will likely not be able to articulate why you are agitated. When you constantly switch from one thing to another, you make more mistakes and you will take longer to accomplish things. By the end of the day this supposed multi-tasking has exhausted you and you will have to fight to rest and to be energized for the next day.
2. Breaks should be purposeful and able to give you a return on the investment. I recommend taking several meaningful breaks that will re-energize you. These types of breaks are creative fuel for your next round of productivity. This gives us an opportunity to shake of the numbness that has settled on the brain while we’ve been in constant work mode. One of my meaningful breaks consist of fifteen to twenty jumping jacks. This activity almost jolts me into a new energy zone and I’m able to have more focus and be a lot more pleasant.
3. Charity is a gift that we should all be giving. The art of being selfless is a powerful tool that offers a sense of purpose. This practice re-directs our attention and enables others to feel appreciated or thought of. Go the extra mile, do that unexpected thing, offer w/out being asked, initiate an act of kindness. When you least expect it, it is returned to you. Don’t be so focused on productivity that you forget about charity. Don’t miss the opportunity to be the difference that someone needed in their day.
4. Let’s face it, we all need a break from IT ALL! Discover a new hobby that relaxes you, calms your nerves and/or brings out happy thoughts. You don’t have to be good at it, just enjoy it. We’ve become a society that is obsessed with productivity and perfection. Be a trendsetter and knock it off. Just find something mindless to do and go for it. Step away from the devices and get centered again. I personally like to color and write poetry while listening to classical music. It’s EVERYTHING!
5. I’ve actually started to have a strong dislike for the term work/life balance. In my reality, some days it is all work and other days it’s all life and some days they are actually the same. Are you able to relate? I bet that you can. I encourage you to create your own definition of balance and to own it. Don’t allow unrealistic expectations from unrealistic buzz words to rule your existence. Just be the best you that you can be daily and be patient and kind to yourself. You deserve it.
Please feel free to share and please leave me a comment to let me know your thoughts and experiences. This was created with all of us in mind. The world needs us at our fullest potential, and this is one of my contributions to help us remain there. Stay blessed Masterpieces!
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