|
Don't burn yourself out
|
 |
October 10, 2000: 11:11 a.m. ET
When working at home, it's easy to overlook the warning signs of overwork
By Alice Bredin
|
NEW YORK (CNNfn) - I know a freelance writer who has been working out of his house for a few years. He's quite talented, so he seldom faces the downtime that many self-employed people do. That said, he suffers from another problem that is common to people who work at home. Although he has maintained a steady workload over time, he feels compelled to accept almost any assignment offered to him because he doesn't know how much work will flow his way next month.
 To a home-based business owner who is working hard to bring in business, my friend's situation may sound ideal. The reality is that taking on too many projects can lead quickly to burnout. Working too much or continually working under pressure gradually erodes personal relationships, weakens physical health and drains creative energy when we need it most.
When you work at home, beating the tendency to overwork requires that you recognize signs that you're working too much and take steps to balance your professional and personal lives. To determine if you're a candidate for burnout, take a look at these common signs of overwork.
- Increased frustration. We all have a bad day now and then, but if more and more of your days fall into this category, you may be suffering from overwork. If you get angry when the phone or doorbell interrupts your workflow or if you frequently have days when it seems like you can't get anything done, your rising frustration level may be a sign that your mind and body need a break from work pressure.
- Forgetfulness. If you've noticed that an increasing number of details slip by you lately, you may be headed for burnout. Forgetting appointments, setting things down and not remembering where they are, or missing a loved one's birthday can all be signs that you're overworked.
- Reduced socializing. When work and personal life are in balance, leaving during the day to meet a friend for lunch or getting out of the office early for a dinner party are normal activities. If you find you don't want to be away from your home office because of what you may miss, work may be consuming too much of your life.
- Erratic eating patterns. You may find signs of overwork in your eating and drinking patterns. If you've gained or lost more than five pounds over the past few months, your body may be expressing burnout through your consumption patterns.
- Lethargy. Skipping a trip to the gym because you're low on energy at the beginning or end of your workday is a sign of overwork with double consequences. Exercise is a burnout buster, so the decision to maintain a heavy workload and forego physical activity will add stress to an already worn mind and body, rather than alleviate it.
- Ill health. Your body is likely to weaken if you're working too much. If you've been getting sick more often since you've had a home-based business or have suffered other physical symptoms, overwork may be the culprit. Insomnia and low energy can also be signals of burnout.
- Feelings of dissatisfaction. If you've been working more hours but are less satisfied with the results of your efforts, you may be suffering from burnout. People who are working too much often become less productive in the process. This creates a dangerous spiral because you're spending more time and getting less done. If the result is a product you're not happy with, you'll be tempted to put in even more hours to get it right.
If you suffer from the symptoms above, you may need to adjust your work patterns to avoid burnout. In next week's column, I'll discuss ways to outmaneuver the tendency toward overwork.
© 2000 Tribune Media Services, Inc. 
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
