Things to definitely do if you want to burnout: Parts 6-10

If you’re absolutely intent on burning out, then follow these recommendations to the letter. 

6.     Never mention money or ask for a pay rise

Salary can be a bit of a dirty word in the charity sector, and it’s probably fair to say that we don’t work for a charity to get rich.  However, there is a fair amount we should expect as our remuneration and we shouldn’t feel embarrassed about asking.  Remember that your work has a value beyond the social mission you contribute to.

·       Our work and labour has a fair price, and that price may be lower than what you could earn in the private or public sectors, but what you do has a value beyond the mission your organisation pursues.

·       Try asking or discussing with your manager what the ‘bigger picture’ of your organisation’s finances are.  What is the rationale for the salary bandings?  How are roles evaluated and a salary arrived at?  What can you expect in terms of salary and benefits in the future?  I’ve worked in organisations where, due to relatively short-term finance issues, there has been a ‘pay freeze’ on new and existing roles, which has been lifted once the overall finances improved.  Also remember that your project or team may be in surplus, but this could be plugging a deficit elsewhere.

7.     Make sure that your colleagues are also your close friends

We spend most of our lives at work (or at least that’s what it can feel like).  Making friends at work is healthy and a sign of a tight, functioning team.  However, if your nights out and drinks after work are becoming your main or only source of socialising, it may be time to examine this.  Are you neglecting other people in your life?  Friends and family who were there before this job, and who’ll be there after?  It could be a sign that you have the balance wrong and aren’t nurturing other friendships in your life.

I once had a manager who behaved like they were everyone’s ‘mate’, and would frequently overstep the boundary, becoming far too chummy and familiar.  I’m not sure what was going for them outside of work, but they were desperate to be liked by work colleagues.

Remember that:

·       The vast majority of work colleagues are just that.  Colleagues.  Being friendly isn’t the same thing as being friends.

·       If most of your socialising is done with work colleagues, think about why this is

·       If you decide the balance is too far out, then make space for other people and interests in your life, which you’ve maybe been neglecting.

8.     Expect to feel exhausted most of the time

‘This is just want’s it’s like working here’ or ‘Everyone burns out at some point’ or ‘just fight your way through it’ or ‘it’ll pass’ are not the things you want to be thinking or saying to yourself or others is you’re struggling.  Creating an expectation around exhaustion is self-defeating and also dangerous for your physical and mental health. 

Instead try:

·       Thinking about and monitoring your energy levels.  Cross reference these to how busy you are, or how much travelling you’ve done.  There are always peaks and troughs in workload, but if you’re exhaustion is a constant then it’s time to seriously questions what’s going on.

·       Ask if there’s a specific reason why you’re tired, eg. a late night, travelling, or is this just how it is for you?  Be honest with yourself and make an action plan to be able to step back and recuperate.

·       How do you prioritise downtime, where you’re not working or thinking about work?  What does this look like for you? 

9.     Become a martyr to the cause

We work for a charity because we want to make a difference to other people’s lives.  However, we’re not doing this effectively if, in the process, we’re making ourselves ill.  Putting the mission above our own wellbeing isn’t doing anyone any favours.

Think about:

·       not seeing the cause as greater and more important than your health and wellbeing.  Of course it’s important, but you don’t have to set yourself on fire to deliver it.

·       how taking care of yourself – putting your own oxygen mask on first – is more effective in the long run

·       how doing things which prioritise your wellbeing – taking breaks, holidays, recuperation – actually increases your productivity and effectiveness

·       the fact that the organisation isn’t going to implode if you step away

10. Keep your feelings to yourself and never ask for help

Struggling on in silence is the worst thing you can do.  Perhaps you feel shame around asking for help and see this as a sign that you’ve failed, or guilt that you’ve not been able to make the different you want to make.  Hiding your struggle may seem like the easy route, but in the long-term it’ll come back and bite you.

Think about:

·       speaking to your manager about how you’re feeling and what’s going on for you.  What can they do to help?

·       re-prioritising your workload and other projects.  Can you drop something?  Delegate some of the more routine tasks?  Change the deadline for a piece of work? 

·       involving HR, if your manager is unable or unwilling to help and support you.  Their job is to look after the wellbeing of everyone in the organisation, and they should be able to offer some help or signpost you to other sources of support.