Achieving work-life balance can be a lifelong endeavor, says author Emily Viens in the book, where she shares the lessons she learned from her own burnout.
Reaching the brink of the event planning world, Emily Viens was faced with a problem. She talks about how she overhauled her unhealthy relationship with work Move forward without getting tired.
“I identified myself only by my work,” admits the woman we know today from her platform La Planificatrice. When I quit my job, I lost my identity.”
The work is divided into four sections related to the seasons. Autumn represents the period leading up to a fall or diagnosis, while winter corresponds to “the great emptiness, the loss of identity.” Then comes spring, or “rebirth,” and summer, “after,” when we reach version 2.0 of ourselves.
“The book is intended for people in autumn who tell themselves lies about their lives,” the mother continues. The goal is to help people avoid winter.”
Here are five tips from Emily Viens to help avoid overwork and, ultimately, burnout:
Listen to your body
IN Move forward without getting tiredThe author presents a table listing her physical symptoms caused by overwork, which she ignored for years. “If I had listened to my body from the very beginning, there would have been a great chance of avoiding exhaustion altogether.”
Do some introspection
According to Emily Viens, avoidance is one of the main causes of burnout. Some unpleasant thoughts are simply vital, she assures. “We must learn to know ourselves, because it is so easy to identify ourselves with a form that is not like us.”
Decide where you want to go
In addition to professional goals and career advancement, it is important to determine what kind of life we strive for. “We're all going to land somewhere, but few choose the destination. Autopilot often leads to burnout.”
Be honest with yourself
“It's not true that we don't have time or that we need to be tired and stressed to succeed. It's not true that the only solution to our problems is to simply work harder. You have to stop lying to yourself.”
Prioritize your vacation
“You have to dare to put yourself on a schedule above everything else. We may have responsibilities, big jobs, kids, but we have to start with the basics. I used to sleep when I had time, and today that's my priority. Many results-oriented people don't get enough sleep.”
- Move forward without getting tired Emily Viens, Underworld Editions, 240 pages.