Have you experienced any of these stress and burnout symptoms?

  • You are physically and emotionally drained from work.
  • You feel like you working harder and accomplishing less.
  • You put your career first but no one appreciates your efforts.
  • You don’t know how to laugh anymore.  Everything seems bleak.
  • You are often short-tempered and angry.
  • You go on vacation but the feeling of overwhelm comes back immediately upon return.

What you can do to take back some control:

  • Schedule time for yourself on your calendar and treat it with gold.
  • Set realistic boundaries by saying “no”. Speak up when you are overwhelmed. Remember, no one but YOU knows what you really do in the course of a day.
  • Create a workspace that nurtures your soul. Whether it’s filled with pictures of the grandkids or flowers from your garden, this space must speak of you.
  • Exercise to burn off stress.
  • Allow 15 minutes in the morning just for you. This is quiet time for centering, breathing, preparing for the day. You’ll be glad you did.

Remember: you are the captain of your ship. Pay attention to the wind and waves.

Eileen McDargh, McDargh Communications.  All rights reserved. You may reprint this article so long as it remains intact with the byline and if all links are made live.

Since 1980, professional speaker and Hall of Fame member Eileen McDargh has helped Fortune 100 companies as well as individuals create connections that count and conversations that matter. Her latest book is Gifts from the Mountain-Simple Truths for Life’s Complexities. Her other books include Talk Ain’t Cheap…It’s Priceless and Work for a Living and Still Be Free to Live, one of the first books to address the notion of balance and authentic work. A 59 year-old grandmother, she recently returned from climbing among the highest mountains in the world. Find out more about this compelling and effective professional speaker and join her free newsletter by visiting http://www.EileenMcDargh.com.