Motivation Information

Does Your Battery Need Recharging?


A technical support person in a pager company tells the story of a customer call to the customer service center from a man who repeatedly complained he was being paged by "Lucille." He was instructed that he would have to call her and tell her to stop paging him.

"She don't never leave no number, so I can't call her back," he said. After three such calls, someone thought to ask how he knew it was Lucille if she didn't leave a number.

"She leaves her name" was the reply. After establishing that the customer had a numeric-only pager, the light bulb came on. "How does she spell her name?" the service rep asked. "L-O-W C-E-L-L"

Are you operating on a low cell? Have you given 'til it hurts, then given some more?

In your work or personal life, are you approaching burnout, desperately in need of a battery change?

Burnout researchers Maslach and Jackson paint a picture of three major burnout symptoms.

1. Emotional exhaustion. Do you feel that you have nothing much left to give? Like you want to either explode or go and hide? Is your emotional energy level at an all-time low in work or home relations?

2. Depersonalization. Do you find yourself more cynical about people? Do you suspect their motives or expect the worst? If you are in a helping profession, do you find yourself thinking of people as "cases", diagnoses, or generically, simply as "problems"?

3. Reduced sense of accomplishment. Does it seem you are working harder and getting less done? Do you picture yourself in a squirrel cage walking and running, but going in circles and not getting anywhere?

If these three factors describe you, you could be burning out. Interestingly, it is typically the most committed people who are vulnerable to burnout. (The others don't care!)

If you saw yourself in this burnout picture, you can begin to recharge your batteries with these three strategies.

1. It's okay to say no - really! It's not essential that everyone's needs (perceived or real) be met all the time, and it's certainly not your responsibility to keep everyone happy. Hang out with some people who like you but don't need anything. Learn to set your boundaries so that both your relationships and you will last longer.

2. Change something. When you are down, go on a vacation or even a weekend getaway. Think of a creative new way to get something done and do it differently. Sign up for a class to develop a new hobby. In your workaholic schedule, ink in some time for fun and play.

3. Revive your spirit. Spend some regular time alone connecting with your faith and nature. I highly recommend journaling, particularly prayer jounaling. Pause to count your blessings and give thanks. Notice the little answers to prayers. At work, remind yourself of the meaning and purpose of what you do. Recall times when you knew you were in the flow of what you were made to do, and look for opportunities to do more of that.

Balance your giving to others with these essential strategies for recharging your internal resources and, like the Energizer Bunny, you'll be able to keep on going and going and going.

Dr. Bev Smallwood is a psychologist who has worked with organizations across the globe for over 20 years. Her high-energy, high-content, high-involvement Magnetic Workplaces (r) programs provide dozens of practical strategies and skills that can be put to work immediately to:

  • build strong leaders who influence and develop others through serving

  • energize, motivate, and retain team members

  • successfully accomplish important organizational transitions

  • impress customers and build their loyalty

  • Review a complete list of her programs available for your convention or corporate meeting at the website, www.MagneticWorkplaces.com

      


    MORE RESOURCES:

    New York Times

    Djokovic Feels Fine, and That's Motivation Enough Against Roddick
    Washington Post, United States - 10 hours ago
    By Liz Clarke Whether real or imagined, Novak Djokovic's list of ailments was so long just two days ago that Andy Roddick couldn't help but poke fun. ...
    Angry Djokovic exacts revenge on Roddick CNN International
    Novak Djokovic defeats Andy Roddick to set up semi-final showdown ... Telegraph.co.uk
    Djokovic, angered by Roddick, beats him at US Open The Associated Press
    Tennis-X.com - Sportsnet.ca
    all 2,658 news articles


    Boston Globe

    Giant upset puts motivation’s at Pats’ fingertips
    Boston Herald, United States - Sep 4, 2008
    By Gerry Callahan The ball stayed there on the side of David Tyree’s helmet like it was attached with Velcro, a play so strange and fluky that it still ...
    These guys are only motivated not to look back Boston Globe
    Predicting the future: Ten things that will unfold in the '08 season CNN International
    Week One handicapping column Pro Football Weekly
    News Chief - Boston Globe
    all 246 news articles


    Giants have motivation for repeat performance
    Press & Sun-Bulletin, NY - Sep 3, 2008
    By Tom Canavan • AP • September 4, 2008 EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ -- Winning the Super Bowl didn't remove the chip on the New York Giants' shoulder. ...
    Video: Tailgaters Kick Off NFL Season AssociatedPress
    Redskins-Giants Preview USA Today
    Redskins face champions in NFL opener Clubcall
    Fort Worth Star Telegram - Macleans.ca
    all 1,422 news articles


    Boston Globe

    Young Jeezy taps into our hard times
    Boston Globe, United States - 6 hours ago
    He called on many of the engineers behind "Motivation" to create the menacing tones for "Recession," from Midnight Black to Shawty Redd to DJ Toomp. ...


    (Is There) Motivation for VoIP Fuzzing
    ITworld.com, MA - Sep 4, 2008
    We (at PROTOS research) released our first free VoIP fuzzers in 2002, and were amazed by the success! Everyone seemed to immediately adapt them into their ...


    Need Structure? Army and Navy Academy Offers Structure and ...
    MarketWatch - Sep 3, 2008
    If your son needs structure and the motivation to reach his full potential, the Academy offers a unique opportunity to excel in Academics, Athletics and ...


    Motivation for Buying Medivation
    Wall Street Journal Blogs, NY - Sep 3, 2008
    Shares of Medivation Inc. were all the rage in premarket action, gaining 32% after the company said it would partner with drug giant Pfizer Inc. to develop ...


    Hall to ride top form into NRL finals
    Sydney Morning Herald, Australia - 9 hours ago
    The Sea Eagles aren't focussing on the prospect of winning the regular season battle, their motivation is avenging last year's grand final defeat. ...


    Hillary Clinton’s New Motivation
    Forbes, NY - Aug 31, 2008
    Now, she will have added personal motivation. Look to see Hillary pounding the campaign trail, hoping to fend off Palin’s bid to take what she views as ...


    HRZone.co.uk

    Crunch time: Retaining staff through motivation
    HRZone.co.uk, UK - Sep 4, 2008
    Balance: Flexible working and work-life balance can improve motivation and productivity. Power: Let employees have their say about their career and company ...

    motivation - Google News

    Article List | Index | Site Map
    All logos, trademarks and articles on this site are property and copyright of their respective owner(s).
    The comments are property of their posters, all the rest is Copyright © 2006 CanadaSEEK.com - All Rights Reserved.