- BURNOUT PREVENTION AND RECOVERY TECHNIQUES
- Health Tips for the 90s and Their Microsoft Counterparts
-
- 1. STOP DENYING
- Listen to the wisdom of your body. Begin to freely admit the
stresses
- and pressures which have manifested physically, mentally,
or
- emotionally.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Work until the physical pain forces you
into
- unconsciousness.
-
- 2. AVOID ISOLATION
- Don't do everything alone! Develop or renew intimacies with
friends
- and loved ones. Closeness not only brings new insights, but
also is
- anathema to agitation and depression.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Shut your office door and lock it from the
inside so
- no one will distract you. They're just trying to hurt
your
- productivity.
-
- 3. CHANGE YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES
- If your job, your relationships, a situation, or a person is
dragging
- you under, try to alter your circumstances or, if necessary,
leave.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: If you feel something is dragging you down,
suppress
- these thoughts. This is a weakness. Drink more coffee. (It's
free.)
-
- 4. DIMINISH INTENSITY IN YOUR LIFE
- Pinpoint those areas or aspects which summon up the most
concentrated
- intensity and work toward alleviating that pressure.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Increase intensity. Maximum intensity =
maximum
- productivity. If you find yourself relaxed and with your
mind
- wandering, you are probably having a detrimental effect on the
stock
- price.
-
- 5. STOP OVERNURTURING
- If you routinely take on other people's problems and
responsibilities,
- learn to gracefully disengage. Try to get some nurturing for
yourself.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Always attempt to do everything. You ARE
responsible
- for it all. Perhaps you haven't thoroughly read your job
description.
-
- 6. LEARN TO SAY "NO"
- You'll help diminish intensity by speaking up for yourself.
This means
- refusing additional requests or demands on your time or
emotions.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Never say no to anything. It shows weakness
and lowers
- the stock price. Never put off until tomorrow what you can do
at
- midnight.
-
- 7. BEGIN TO BACK OFF AND DETACH
- Learn to delegate, not only at work, but also at home and
with
- friends. In this case, detachment means rescuing yourself
for
- yourself.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Delegating is a sign of weakness. Let someone
else do
- it (see #5).
-
- 8. REASSESS YOUR VALUES
- Try to sort out the meaningful values from the temporary and
fleeting,
- the essential from the nonessential. You'll conserve energy
and time,
- and begin to feel more centered.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Stop thinking about your own problems. This
is
- selfish. If your values change, we will make an announcement
at the
- company meeting. Until then, if someone calls you and
questions your
- priorities, tell them that you are unable to comment on this
and give
- them the number for Microsoft Marketing. It will be taken care
of.
-
- 9. LEARN TO PACE YOURSELF
- Try to take life in moderation. You only have so much
energy
- available. Ascertain what is wanted and needed in your life,
then
- begin to balance work with love, pleasure, and
relaxation.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: A balanced life is a myth perpetuated by the
Lotus
- Marketing Team. Don't be a fool: the only thing that matters
is work
- and productivity.
-
- 10. TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY
- Don't skip meals, abuse yourself with rigid diets, disregard
your need
- for sleep, or break doctor appointments. Take care of
yourself
- nutritionally.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: Your body serves your mind, your mind serves
the
- company. Push the mind and the body will follow. Drink
Mountain Dew.
- (It's free.)
-
- 11. DIMINISH WORRY AND ANXIETY
- Try to keep superstitious worrying to a minimumóit
changes nothing.
- You'll have a better grip on your situation if you spend less
time
- worrying and more time taking care of your real needs.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: If you're not worrying about work, you must
not be
- very committed to it. We'll find someone who is.
-
- 12. KEEP YOUR SENSE OF HUMOR
- Begin to bring joy and happy moments into your life. Very few
people
- suffer burnout when they're having fun.
-
- MICROSOFT VIEW: So, you think your work is funny? We'll
discuss this
- with your manager on Friday. At 7:00 pm.
-
-
-
-
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