Handling Burn Out
Steven Jones, Aeration Decorations
A few weeks ago, I was having a chat with an old friend of mine in the business. After the usual, "How are things?" beginning, she informed me that she was getting out and shutting down her operation.
She was recalling a story about a recent event that led to her decision. She and her husband were doing a large school dance under a very tight time schedule. Since income is so sporadic in our industry, she didn't have regular assistants that she could call upon to help them. And to make matters worse, both of them were fighting sinus infections all the while!
As we kept talking, she expanded on her concerns. She worked seven days a week, long hours each day. She made enough money to keep the business running, but not necessarily enough to be comfortable. Mind you, there were times when money was plentiful, but there were plenty of down times too that made for a stressful existence. And since things are so seasonal in the world of decor (with no retail operation to rely on), she couldn't possibly hire anyone on a regular basis. No extra help it meant she had to work whether she was feeling well or with a 100 degree fever. And if she did want to take time off from the business, it also meant more than just time away; it meant loss of revenue and the opportunity for her competitors to gain ground on her efforts. All of this led to her decision to leave. Bottom line was she was burnt out.
But what startled me more was just how familiar all this sounded.
When you burn the candle at both ends, eventually both flames will reach the center with no where to go. So how do you handle those times when the idea of blowing up one more balloon or dealing with one more kid makes you want to go out and get a "real job"? This month, we'll try to explore it a little.
My Disclaimer
I ask that you remember one thing while reading this column. The advice and opinions that I express here are what worked and continue to work for me when dealing with this issue. By no means are they a guaranteed solution to dealing with personal "demons", but rather a possible course of action that you can take if you find yourself in the same position I have.
What to Do When You're There
I really don't think you need me to describe the "symptoms" of burn out. Basically, if you're at a point where you don't want to see one more stinking balloon, it's safe to say you're there!
So, here are a few ideas to help overcome that stage:
- Really evaluate why you've reached this point: Have you been working an exceptional amount of hours, days or even weeks because it's a busy time of year, or are you now so busy that you can never get time to yourself? Is there light at the end of your tunnel, or is this just more of what's to come in your every day life? Maybe taking a few minutes to look at the bigger picture and what's ahead as well as what's behind might be all you really need.
- Schedule some time off (if possible): Some times, the amount of work we do in a given day is "self-inflicted agony." In other words, some things that we think we need to do today could be put off for a day or two in order to free up some time. If you're genuinely at the brink of wanting to hang up your hand pump, consider rescheduling an appointment or two and give yourself a day off. Of course, scheduled jobs are a different situation entirely, so choose carefully.
- Create a series of easily obtainable goals to give you a win or two: Sometimes, burn-out occurs when we feel like we're failing to succeed. Consider establishing a few short term goals that you feel you can easily attain. Once you've hit your new goals, reward yourself in some way, like giving yourself an extra hour off.
- Reorganize yourself and your working environment: Sometimes, we waste a lot of time and energy due to sloppy or lazy practices. Maybe you didn't bother to put away gear from a job or two (or twenty!) and now you're struggling to find things. Maybe you need to schedule consultations only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays so you can free up Mondays for your off day. A lot of little changes can add up to big improvements.
- Look into getting some help: OK, you can't necessarily afford to hire additional employees to get everything done in a day, but maybe your friends and family can help you sort things out. If your shop is in a state of complete disarray, consider scheduling an organizing party where your loved ones can help you get it under control. You'd be amazed how hard people will work if you offer some pizza and sodas as payment. Maybe you can work out a deal on particularly long days where a friend of yours can handle your late night tear downs in exchange for a nice dinner out on the town or free services from you for a need to be discovered later.
- Explore your options: Some times, burn-out can't be overcome. If you really think it's more than just needing a break, look into other employment opportunities. Can you take your skills as a decorator or entertainer and go to work for someone else? Or maybe it's time to find a 9-to-5 job and return to the "real world" again. But make sure you look at both sides of the coin before cashing in. For every advantage to leaving your business (someone else dealing with headaches, less tax issues, etc) remind yourself of the disadvantages to the same deal (not being able to set your own hours, no longer being your own boss, etc). You might be surprised at what you'd be giving up in order to gain a few benefits.
- Gripe about it! You'd be surprised how many other professionals have been in your shoes over the years. Maybe taking a few minutes to vent your frustrations to a close friend in the industry (or a bunch of friends on BHQ) can be all the therapy you need. You may find yourself with more support than you ever imagined.
Well, that's it for this month. Until next time, I wish my friend the best of luck on her new endeavor as well as wish all of you continued strength and perseverance.
See you next month!
Steven Jones, Aeration Decorations
